Rotherham v Middlesbrough Preview

Middlesbrough’s jam-packed Championship schedule continues tonight as they travel to Rotherham to play their third game in the space of seven days.

Aitor Karanka was impressed with his sides 2-1 victory over Wolves on Friday night, saying that he was pleased with the performance and that it ‘could have been 3,4 or 5’ if Boro had taken more of their chances.

Gaston Ramirez, who joined on loan from Southampton in January, scored both the goals and was awarded man of the match by Sky Sports after the game.

Karanka admitted he has had to ‘look after’ the Uruguayan international following his drop down to the Championship and the increased number of games.

However the Boro boss went on to say that Ramirez has settled in well and can be really important for the remainder of the season.

On paper Boro will be expected to take all six points from their next two games. Tonight’s opponents Rotherham are 22^nd in the table, then on Sunday afternoon Karanka’s side travel to Charlton who are also in the bottom three.

Even so the Spaniard remained wary of the upcoming fixtures, saying that tonight’s game could be the “most difficult game remaining” as Rotherham need the points to stay up.

“People will expect us to take six points (from the next two games) but that would be a big mistake” he said in his pre-match press conference.

Boro's Grant Leadbitter
(Picture from zimbio.com)

Team News

Karanka confirmed that centre back Daniel Ayala will remain side-lined with an ankle injury which he sustained last month. Captain Grant Leadbitter could return after missing Friday’s victory over Wolves.

Rotherham manager Neil Warnock will be without defender Lloyd Doyley who has a leg injury. Froward Luciano Becchio is also out with a calf problem.

The Opposition

Last month The Millers appointed Neil Warnock as their new manager and since then they have won two and lost two of their four games.

Warnock lost his first two matches in charge but Rotherham have since won their last two fixtures. At the end of February they won 2-1 at home to Brentford and at the weekend they claimed an impressive 1-0 away at Sheffield Wednesday.

Rotherham are now just three points from safety and have been given rejuvenated hope of staying up since Warnock’s arrival. They will be looking to record their third successive victory in tonight’s game.

Rotherham's Danny Ward
(Picture from www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk)

One To Watch

Danny Ward

Ward is a dangerous playmaker who can play in a central or wide position. In Rotherham’s last game Ward played through the middle on his own and caused Sheffield Wednesday plenty of problems.

Ward’s last goal came in The Millers’ last home game when he scored the winner against Brentford. He has scored three goals and claimed 6 assists this campaign, so Boro will have to keep an eye on him tonight.

Last Time Out

Middlesbrough 1 Rotherham 0

Boro won the revere fixture at the Riverside back in November when Stewart Downing scored the only goal of the game.  Jordan Bowery had a late chance to equalise for the visitors but missed the target; as Boro hung on to take all three points.  

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

At this stage of the season I think Karanka has to play the strongest side available. 

Grant Leadbitter may be available but doesn't need to be risked with Adam Clayton and Adam Forshaw in such fine form. I think Jordan Rhodes just needs games and once he stats scoring he could go on a prolific run.

I would recall Downing after he was left out at the weekend hopefully it propmts a good response from the winger. Karanka could play Fry or Kalas alongside Gibson in defense, I'd go with Fry just because of his height and presence in the air.