And now for the answers provided by Steve:
How long have you supported Rotherham United?
I am 42 years old and my Dad supports the Millers as did my Grandad. You could say I was indoctrinated from birth.
Where did you finish last season?
We finished 22nd and got relegated. However, we went down with a fight. We made mistakes and didn’t sign enough players. It was an exciting season that ended with disappointment.
What do you think of your Manager?
Paul Warne is a fantastic Manager and not just a “Fitness coach”. I love his philosophy that you have to be a good person to play for the club. He clearly cares and is very respectful to the fans. Tony Stewart obviously believes in him. I questioned his tactics a few times last season. However, you do what you need to do to survive. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Not many managers who get relegated get a standing ovation.
Who Are The League One Managers? No.18: Paul Warne (Rotherham United)
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?
I don’t want to get carried away, a lot of people say we will do well. However, there are some great clubs in this league. Rotherham fans appreciate good football and effort. If we go out every week and give it our all, I will be happy. Automatic or play off place would be amazing!
One(s) to watch?
We have signed some good players, the new keeper Iverson looked amazing vs his home club Leicester. Freddie Ladapo looks good and got us a win on Saturday. Dan Barlaser delivery looks quality. My personal favourite is Matt Olosunde, he looks like an exciting prospect who joined from Man Utd.
Who do you think will finish in the top six?
Rotherham United, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Peterborough United, Lincoln City and Ipswich Town. Not sure in which order?
Who do you think will finish in the bottom four?
Bolton Wanderers, Bury, AFC Wimbledon and Southend United.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
A good club with a good history. I think you will do well this season. I just hope you finish below The Mighty Millers.
What do you think the score will be?
2-1 to Rotherham.
Random fact about your Club?
We have never been in the Premier League/Division One. We finished third in the old Second Division in 1954-55, narrowly missing out on promotion to the old Division One.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
Lee Frecklington of course.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Rotherham United Supporter?
Proudest: Alex Revell against Leyton Orient at Wembley! One of the greatest strikes at Wembley.
Embarrassing: Was losing our old ground Millmoor and having to play at Don Valley in Sheffield. We went through hard times financially as a club.
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
At present Matt Olosunde, he signed from New York Red bulls and is an American international. He has impressed in pre-season and hopefully continues it in the league.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
Yes, and they do some great things. I read that they have got Summer Camps on at the moment and that Richard Wood and Michael Ihiekwe ran penalty shoot outs and a q and a for the kids last week. I imagine that Paul Warne instils this type of behaviour in his players.
Which was your favourite match involving Rotherham United?
It would be easy to pick the recent Wembley appearances. However, I would say the FA Cup match vs Scunthorpe in the 90’s when we were involved and won the first FA Cup Penalty shoot out. It was nice to be a small part of FA Cup history.
Which was your least favourite match involving Rotherham United?
I could virtually choose a season in the 16/17 campaign. Three managers in one Season and relegated in April. The best thing about that season was Warne being made permanent. If I had to pick a recent match it would be Wednesday at our place last season. We were 2-1 up and the ref gave 8 mins additional time. How Wednesday managed to score in the 10th minute of that, I will never know!
Do you have a Former Players Association at Rotherham United?
Not that I am aware of but there might be. We have lots of old players come and talk at half time.
What’s the best thing about Rotherham?
New York Stadium!
Rotherham seem to have done some good business this summer so are you happy with the new arrivals and have the departees been adequately replaced?
I think we knew that Vaulks and Semi would leave. The new recruiters Rob Scott and Chris Trotter seem to have done a great job. Matt Olosunde looks very sharp, Ladapo whose our record signing looks exciting and Macdonald looks to be an experienced head. We have some good people on loan Iversen the goalkeeper from Leicester looked amazing vs his old club. Morrison is returning for his second stint at the club and Barlaser looks quality. After last seasons lack of signings, we are apparently spoilt for choice.
Is promotion the ultimate end game or would you be happy with a season of consolidation?
I would love to be in the position where we were in contention for promotion. We generally don’t do consolidation, it’s either highs or lows with Rotherham.
Is Paul Warne the right man to lead you back to the Championship?
Definitely, I think Warney is a class act. A lot of people were unsure when he first took over. However, I think he has proved a lot of the doubters wrong. He has instilled a strong team ethic and in my view is the absolute right man for the job.
How surprised are you to hear that former Miller Lee Frecklington is injured?
Well, he was injured in his last season with us. However, can’t say a bad word about him as he scored some important goals for us.
Are you a Football Heaven listener? If so what do you make to the regular Rotherham fans who call in, like Brian and Lee?
I’m not a listener.
Steve Evans: hero or villain?
I personally liked him and he guided us to promotion a few times. Although I am aware that he was not every fan’s cup of tea. I will always remember him running up the touchline when we scored at Wembley!
When you saw Lincoln had been promoted were you rubbing your hands thinking 6 points?
No, definitely not, you have to be wary of any team that comes up as champions. I hope you have a good season, just not against us.
As an away fan your new stadium looks as good as any of the new ones built. What’s your opinion of it and what do you prefer, new build or old and traditional ala Sincil Bank?
New York Stadium is great and the facilities are one hundred times better than Millmoor. However, as your ground is to you, Millmoor was our home. I don’t think anybody was happy to leave the ground and the years at Don Valley were not good. Tony Stewart bringing Rotherham home was a great achievement and something Rotherham fans will always thank him for.
Page One: The answers provided by Caz!
"What's not to love about Warney? He's Rotherham United through and through.":https://t.co/VxNnTUi1Mv#RUFC #Rotherham #ImpsAsOne
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 9, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2342344935801738
