Rotherham v Swans: The big talking points

Swansea City will look to build on back-to-back home victories when they go to Rotherham United this weekend.

Here are all the key discussion points heading into Saturday’s game.

One for the road?

The Swans started the season very impressively on their travels but, after no win in four away games, Graham Potter will be keen to see his team chalk up another success outside SA1.

After all, a glance at the league table shows that, somewhat surprisingly, no team in the Championship’s top 13 have taken fewer away points than the Swans.

For much of the season so far, the Swans’ record on the road was more impressive than their home return, but back-to-back Liberty successes have changed that.

Their away record is by no means bad – nine points from seven games is okay – but Potter’s men must keep pushing for more if they are to compete at the top end of the division.

Merry Millers

Nothing is likely to come easily as the Swans look to secure away win No. 3 of the season on Saturday.

Rotherham, after all, have lost only once on their own patch so far this term.

The Millers have a miserable away record – they have taken two points on the road so far – but they have banked three wins and three draws at the New York Stadium.

Ipswich, Millwall and Derby have all lost there, while Stoke, Bristol City and Bolton could only draw.

The one visiting team who have won at Rotherham so far are Hull City, who were 3-2 victors back in August.

Solid customers

The Swans have improved going forward in their last couple of games, scoring five times, while they continue to impress at the other end of the pitch.

Last weekend’s shutout against Reading means Potter’s men have registered seven clean sheets in 15 league outings this term.

Only one team in the Championship, Middlesbrough, have more (nine).

Boro, who are managed by a man who is renowned for keeping things tight, Tony Pulis, are also the only side in the division who have conceded fewer goals (nine) than the Swans (11).

Considering all the change at the Liberty over the summer – which included the departure of four senior central defenders – that is some effort by Potter’s team.

The Jeff factor

The Swans have failed to score in any of their four away games since Jefferson Montero picked up a thigh injury.

In fact, they are yet to find the target away from home this season without Montero on the pitch.

There have been plenty of chances along the way, but the fact is that all four goals on the road – two at Sheffield United and two at Millwall – came in the two away matches Montero has featured in, and he had a major hand in three of those strikes.

Montero is closing in on a comeback, but clearly the Swans must also find some inspiration from elsewhere.

Perhaps Daniel James, who has done so well at home in recent weeks and has been compared to Montero, can now make a big impression on the road.

Warne’s wish

Rotherham boss Paul Warne is looking to get more from his team going forward as they try to establish themselves in the Championship after victory in last season’s League One play-off final.

The table explains why – Warne’s team have scored the joint-lowest number of goals (11) in the second tier this term.

Striker Jamie Proctor – who was once part of the Swans’ development squad – and midfielder Will Vaulks lead the scoring charts at the New York Stadium with three goals apiece.

Rotherham have scored more than once in a Championship game on only two occasions this season, while they have netted a total of three goals in their last five matches.

Can the Swans’ miserly defence make it another tough afternoon for Warne’s frontline?