Meet the opposition | Rotherham United

8th December
First team
Rotherham United

As Swansea City get set to face Rotherham United, we take a closer look at the Millers.

WHAT'S THEIR STORY?

Established in 1925 after the merger of disbanded teams Rotherham County and Rotherham Town, Rotherham United are enjoying consecutive seasons in the Championship having bounced back and fore between the second and third tiers in recent years.

Their highest league finish came in the 1954-55 season, when they finished third in Division Two, narrowly missing out on promotion by goal difference.

The Millers were promoted to the Championship in 2018, 2020 and 2022, but were relegated in 2019 and 2021 before Matt Taylor kept them in the second tier last term.

They were also Football League Trophy holders in 2022, coming from behind in to beat Sutton United 4-2 after extra-time at Wembley.

 

HOW'S THEIR FORM?

Jordan Hugill

Improving. While Rotherham have won just two league games all season, they have become harder to beat in recent weeks.

They have drawn four of their last six games, notable taking a point from games against promotion contenders Ipswich Town and Leeds United on home soil.

They have secured 11 of their 13 points this season at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

 

WHO'S THE GAFFER?

Wayne Carlisle

Wayne Carlisle has been leading Rotherham's interim management team following Matt Taylor's departure last month.

The 44-year-old had followed Taylor from Exeter, having started his coaching career as head of coaching at the Grecians before stepping up to the first team.

As a player the former midfielder came through the ranks at Crystal Palace and went on to have spells with Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Exeter City, Torquay United and Truro City before hanging up his boots.

In his short time as caretaker boss, Carlisle has helped the Millers secure draws against Leeds and Birmingham.

WHO'S THE CAPTAIN?

Sean Morrison.The centre-half has been with the Millers since January 2023, and was named club captain in the summer.

His move to Yorkshire came after an eight-and-a-half year stint with Cardiff City, where he made nearly 300 appearances and helped them win promotion to the top-flight in 2018.

Morrison started out at Plymouth and Swindon, before making the move to Reading. During his time in Berkshire he had two successful loan spells with Huddersfield.

 

WHO ARE THE KEY MEN?

Viktor Johansson

Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has been an integral figure for the Millers since his arrival in 2020.

Having come through the Hammarby and Aston Villa academies, Johansson also had a spell with Leicester City.

He kept 27 clean sheets for Rotherham during their promotion campaign and played a vital role in helping them avoid the drop last term.

The Swede has made 117 appearances in total for the south Yorkshire outfit.

Midfielder Oliver Rathbone – son of former Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End defender Mick Rathbone – started his career with Manchester United’s academy.

After being released at Old Trafford he joined League One Rochdale in 2016, making 183 appearances over the following five seasons.

He joined Rotherham in the summer of 2021 and made 52 appearances in all competitions as the Millers secured promotion and won the EFL Trophy.

He seamlessly made the step up to Championship level last term. He is the club's vice-captain and has worn the armband when Morrison has not been in the team.

Striker Jordan Hugill is a proven Championship operator and joined Rotherham from Norwich in January 2023.

He has three goals to his name this season, putting him joint-top of the scoring charts for the Millers.

A Port Vale academy product, Hugill has had spells with Gateshead, Preston North End, Tranmere Rovers, West Ham United, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City.