Match Preview: Rotherham v Wycombe

This Saturday The Blues travel to Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium to take on Rotherham United in a League Two fixture.



Rotherham's league record so far this season is Won 7, drawn 4 and lost 3.

This would have given The Millers 25 points and put them in 4th place in the table, were it not for the 17 point deduction imposed on the club at the start of the season.

As it is, Rotherham have to be content with 21st place for now, but they won't be down there for long if they continue to pick up points at the rate they have been doing. At their current rate of 1.78 points per game, the Millers would finish the season with 65 points despite their 17 point deduction.

Rotherham have scored 22 goals (14 at home) and have conceded 14 (9 at home).

Forced to play their home games at an unfamiliar stadium this season, Rotherham soon made it a fortress with 4 wins and 1 draw from their first 5 league outings at Don Valley. However, the fortress has crumbled since then and they have lost their last 2 home games. Firstly, visitors Barnet triumphed 4-3 and then on Tuesday Darlington took all 3 points back to the North-East with a 1-0 victory.

Despite their faltering home form, the Millers have still been picking up points on their travels, having won 2-1 at both Bury and Macclesfield in the last ten days.

Remarkably, 12 different players have scored league goals for Rotherham this season. The top sharpshooter for the Millers is none other than Reuben Reid with 5 league goals. Wycombe fans will remember seeing the occasional glimpse of Reid when he was on loan at Adams Park last season under previous boss Paul Lambert.



Unbeaten and top of the league, Wycombe Wanderers had a bit of a rest on Tuesday, when their home game against Macclesfield was abandoned after only 22 minutes as a snowstorm hit Bucks.

Despite Wycombe not playing, none of their closest rivals could take advantage and pinch top spot from the Blues. Now with a game in hand, they remain at the summit courtesy of the 7 wins and 6 draws which have given them 27 points.

The Blues have scored 15 goals (7 away from home) and have conceded 6 (2 away from home).

After a run of draws, Wycombe tasted victory again last Saturday, beating Accrington 1-0 at the Fraser Eagle Stadium thanks to a last minute Chris Zebroski goal.

Zebroski is the Blues' top scorer with 4 goals whilst defender Mike Williamson has netted 3 times and so had Scott McGleish who left the club earlier this week.



Last Five League Games
Wycombe : WDDDW - 9 points
Rotherham : DLWWL - 7 points



Last Five Home Games
Rotherham : DWWLL - 7 points



Last Five Away Games
Wycombe : WDDDW - 9 points



Last Season the two sides drew 1-1 at Millmoor in January, with Scott McGleish netting a 2nd half equaliser for the Blues. Then a month later at Adams Park, Wycombe ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of defender David McCracken's only goal so far in a Wycombe shirt.


Previous Games At Rotherham
1994/95 Rotherham 2 Wycombe 0
1995/96 Rotherham 0 Wycombe 0
1996/97 Rotherham 2 Wycombe 1
2000/01 Rotherham 1 Wycombe 0
2007/08 Rotherham 1 Wycombe 1


Tommy Doherty is back for Wycombe and Leon Johnson is fit again, although he was only given a place on the bench for Tuesday's abandoned game.

Will Antwi and Matt Bloomfield are still on the comeback trail following injury.

Gavin Grant appears to have disappeared off the face of the earth, with no news whatsoever about his likely return from 'feeling under the weather'.



This is a tough assignment for the unbeaten Wanderers side. The Millers would be strong contenders for promotion if not for their points deduction. Having lost their last two home games, you have to ask yourself how likely is it that they will lose three in a row on their own turf. Their top scorer Reuben Reid will no doubt feel he has something to prove after his unhappy spell with Wycombe and will be keen to get on the scoresheet.

Despite all that, Wycombe are capable of taking something from this game. They have Doherty back in the side and with Gary Holt fit and playing again, they can renew their solid midfield partnership from last season. Up front, Matt Harrold looked sharp in the snow on Tuesday and Simon Church looks like a player who will score more than he misses if given the chances.


Prediction
Rotherham 1 Wycombe 1

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