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Rotherhamvs.Plymouth

sportsmole.co.uk, 3 April 2024, 08:45
Rotherham United play host to Plymouth Argyle on Friday night looking for the win that will delay relegation from the Championship for another game.

Meanwhile, the visitors make the long trip to the New York Stadium sitting in 21st position in the standings and ideally require all three points to ease the pressure regarding an immediate return to League One.

Match preview

Leam Richardson has known for a number of weeks that Rotherham will be playing their football in League One next season, it merely being a matter of trying to finish in a respectable manner.

Four points from their last three fixtures has certainly been a step in the right direction, even though a tame 3-0 defeat at Preston North End featured in between.

Rotherham would have been relegated on Easter Monday had they failed to overcome an improving Millwall outfit, and it appeared that would be the case when the Lions found a 78th-minute equaliser.

Nevertheless, Charlie Wyke's goal four minutes from time secured Rotherham just their fourth league win of the campaign, moving them to within 18 points of their upcoming opponents with six games remaining.

Given that their goal difference is also at least 16 goals worse off than any of the teams above them, Rotherham know that even miracles are beyond them, but they will be motivated to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Plymouth, at one point, looked like they would finish clear of the bottom three on their return to the second tier, yet such has been their drop-off in form that another managerial change has taken place.

Ian Foster has departed Home Park after three months in charge, with director of football Neil Dewsnip taking his place, and the interim incumbent is tasked with trying to end a a six-game winless streak.

The 1-0 defeat to Bristol City on Monday was Plymouth's fifth successive loss at Home Park without scoring a goal, an unwanted club record, yet Foster deserved minimal criticism for the club's away form under his watch.

Eight points came from seven such fixtures, including wins at Swansea City and Middlesbrough, when just five points had bee recorded from their previous 13 away contests.

Rotherham United Championship form:

L

L

L

D

L

W

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

L

L

D

L

L

L

Team News

After his goal against Millwall, Wyke appears likely to take the place of Tom Eaves in the Rotherham attack.

Cafu is an alternative for any one of the three midfielders if Richardson opts to bring in fresh legs, as is Shane Ferguson at wing-back.

If any of an eight-strong injury list are able to recover in time for this game, they will almost certainly feature among the replacements.

Dewsnip could make widespread alterations to his Plymouth side, as well as reverting to the back three that he used earlier in the season.

Julio Pleguezuelo, Joe Edwards, Adam Randell, Mickel Miller and Mustapha Bundu could all return to the team, but Alfie Devine is suspended after collecting two yellow cards against Bristol City.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Odoffin, Humphreys, Revan; Ferguson, Rinomhota, Clucas, Rathbone, Bramall; Wyke, Nombe

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Phillips, Gibson, Pleguezuelo; Sorinola, Edwards, Randell, Miller; Whittaker, Bundu; Hardie

We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Plymouth Argyle

While Rotherham can be encouraged by their last performance, it may be expecting too much for further wins to follow. Although Plymouth are ideal opponents at this stage, we feel that the visitors will do enough to earn a share of the spoils in a match that may lack quality.

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