Football Season Review

The Millers are coming from a season that saw them achieving the rare feat of claiming back-to-back promotion. It was clear from the very beginning of the season that there was something special about Steve Evans's side, who played brave attacking football from the very beginning of their campaign and did not lose a league game until the ninth round, when they fell to a 1:0 home defeat to Peterborough. The Millers' sole poor run of form came in late October and early November, as they went on a five-game winless run during this period. Despite seeing his side hovering around the play-off places, Steve Evans was always looking to improve his squad, and made several signings during December and January, with some of them, such as Richard Smallwood and, in particular, James Tavernier, going on to play key roles in Rotherham's promotion push. Some fans were not happy with the lack of loyalty Evans showed to some of his players, as some first team regulars, such as Richard Brindley, Rob Milsom and Michael O'Connor, found themselves struggling to get playing time in the second half of the season due to the influx of new signing. Evans's ruthless nature was probably best illustrated by his handling of Nicky Adams, who was sold to Bury days before the play-off final despite only joining the club in January. However, there is no arguing with success, and Evans definitely managed to deliver the goods, as his side lost only 3 out of 26 competitive games that they played in 2014, and eventually managed to earn promotion via the play-offs. The Millers are financially sound, and Evans will likely have money to spend over the summer. The Rotherham boss has never managed in the second tier before, and will certainly have a big point to prove in the Championship.

Player of the Season: Kieran Agard