TRICKY TRIP TO THE MILLERS AWAITS

ccfcinsider
Feb 6
2 min read

Cardiff City remain on the road as they travel to the New York Stadium to face Rotherham United.

The Opposition:

The Millers have had a poor first half of the season, with Matt Hamshaw's side currently at in the bottom four. A 4-0 win last time out, may suggest Rotherham have began to turn the corner.

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.

A win in this one for Rotherham could see them move out of the relegation zone into seventeenth in League One.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of a battling 2-2 draw against Burton. The Brewers took the lead through Jake Beesley, before an Alex Robertson brace out Cardiff back in front. Kyran Lofthouse netted from close range late on meaning both sides were forced to share the points.

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:

Despite an injury-hit campaign, Nombe is still Rotherham's leading scorer this season. Nombe’s playstyle is all about explosive pace and relentless pressing, using sharp movement and direct runs to stretch defences and attack space behind the back line.

The striker's career started with MK Dons. After loan spells at Oxford City, Chippenham Town and Luton Town, Nombe completed a permanent move to Exeter City. Nombe caught the eye at The Grecians, earning a move to Rotherham in the summer of 2023. The 27 year-old has netted seven in fourteen appearances so far this season.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 3-0 Rotherham United (2025)

City cruised past The Millers in the reverse fixture, in arguably Cardiff's most convincing and routine victory of the season so far.

Yousef Salech opened his account for the season in the first half as he headed home a David Turnbull corner. Salech then turned provider, as he rolled the ball across the box for Rubin Colwill to tap home and add a second, before Cian Ashford settled the game with a stunner on his left foot.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Calum Scanlon available for debut. Dylan Lawlor, Yousef Salech, Rubin Colwill and Eli King remain out injured for Cardiff.

Rotherham United - Dan Gore, Josh Benson and Denzel Hall out for the hosts.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Perry Ng

RCB - Calum Chambers

LCB - Gabriel Osho

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Ryan Wintle

CM - Alex Robertson

CAM - David Turnbull