Shrewsbury Town

A look back on Rotherham United's 2017/18 campaign

Rotherham United could have been forgiven for not having an instant trophy-wielding season following their relegation from the Championship last season.

Rotherham United, captained by Richard Wood and manager Paul Warne lead a charge to finish fourth place below Shrewsbury. The Millers earned a very respectable 79 points, which placed them clear of Scunthorpe by five points.

Paul Warne’s men had a shaky start to the season, losing four of their first six games. Warne’s men had a better second month, winning five out of seven League fixtures. The Millers impressively beat Oldham United and Walsall 5-1, which would have sent shock waves throughout the rest of the division.

October and through to the Christmas period raised mixed results for Rotherham, who play at The New York Stadium. However, the turn of the New Year in January saw Rotherham go un-beaten with two wins and two draws, including a draw against league favourites Blackburn Rovers.

Rotherham’s positive form would have dispelled any thought of the South Yorkshire club having a hangover from the previous relegation season. That positive month would have had Rotherham’s tails up and looking to challenge at the top end of the table, where The Millers fans would believe they belong.

February followed suit and The Millers went on a whole month winning all of their five league fixtures, which fired Warne’s team further up the Sky Bet League One Table.  The Millers got impressive wins against Play-Off hopefuls Scunthorpe United, Shrewsbury Town and Doncaster Rovers.

The final months of the season saw Rotherham claiming a mixed bag of results. Frustrating losses came against relegation contenders. Losing out to MK Dons 3-2 and 1-0 to Rochdale put nerves on edge but The Millers had accumulated enough points by May to ensure a Play-Off place.

The Millers capped of a successful first season back in League One with a 1-0 win against Blackpool going into the Play-Offs against Scunthorpe United.

Paul Warne’s men travelled to Glanford Park for the first leg of the Play-Off Semi finals. Rotherham looked set to win the first leg if it wasn’t for an 88th minute equaliser by Scunthorpe’s Cameron McGeehan.

The second leg went to plan back at The New York Stadium in Rotherham. Captain Richard Wood and Will Vaulks helped The Millers on their way to Wembley where they will face Shrewsbury Town.

Town boss Paul Hurst spent his whole playing career as a Rotherham United player but will be hoping to lead his team to Wembley glory against his former club.