BLUEBIRDS BACK IN LEAGUE ACTION

ccfcinsider
Aug 15
2 min read

Cardiff City are back in league action as they host Matt Hamshaw's Rotherham United.

Cardiff City Head Coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

The Opposition:

Despite what looked like a promising summer window, Steve Evans struggled at Rotherham last season. Evans was replaced by Matt Hamshaw and led The Millers to a 13th place finish.

Rotherham have once again been busy in the summer window, adding Kian Spence from Barrow, Josh Benson from Barnsley, Ted Cann from West Brom, Ar'jany Martha from Beerschot, Denzel Hall from Heerenveen, Marvin Kaleta from Wolves, Lenny Agbaire from Celtic, Dan Gore from Manchester United, Dru Yearwood from Nashville SC and Kion Etete from The Bluebirds.

Hamshaw’s 3-5-2 is built on a compact back three, with wing-backs pushing high to stretch play and offer width. In possession, the midfield works to create central overloads before switching quickly to the flanks, while out of possession the team focuses on cutting passing lanes and forcing play wide. Transitions are fast, aiming to release strikers and wing-backs into space before the opposition can reset.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of a Carabao Cup First Round victory against Swindon Town. Cian Ashford and Rubin Colwill netted as The Bluebirds controlled the game.

Barry-Murphy's aggressive out of possession style could cause Rotherham problems. City's winger staying high and wide could also trouble The Millers, pinning back their high wingbacks. Cardiff will have to make more of all the possession they've had in games so far.

Opposition Player To Watch:

In the absence of Sam Nombe, the one to watch for The Millers is midfielder Joe Powell. The 26 year-old contributed with eleven goal involvements last season in all competitions.

Powell came through the ranks at West Ham. His first taste of senior football came during a loan move to Northampton, with the midfielder netting two in ten games. The midfielder then joined Burton on a permanent deal. Powell made over one-hundred and fifty games before joining The Millers last summer.

Last Meeting:

Rotherham United 5-2 Cardiff City (2024)

The Millers put City to the sword in the final game of the 23/24 season with a real thrashing at the New York Stadium.

Jordan Hugill gave the hosts the lead just after twenty minutes. Nat Phillips quickly headed in an equaliser before Tom Eaves put the hosts back in front before the break. Ollie Tanner brought The Bluebirds level just after the break. Tom Eaves and Jordan Hugill doubled their tally's for the afternoon before Sam Nombe added a fifth to seal the game for already relegated Rotherham.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Late checks to be done on Will Fish and Ryan Wintle. Perry Ng and Alex Robertson remain out for The Bluebirds.

Rotherham United - Kion Etete injured and ineligible. Sam Nombe and Josh Kayode also injured for the visitors.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Ronan Kpakio

RCB - Dylan Lawlor

LCB - Calum Chambers

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Eli King

RCM - Rubin Colwill

LCM - David Turnbull