Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has tipped Rotherham United to have another disappointing League One campaign next season.
The Millers dropped into the third tier in 2024 after finishing bottom of the Championship. Having decided to bring Steve Evans back to the club, they were expected to challenge for promotion, especially after the 62-year-old oversaw a huge number of incomings during the summer transfer window.
They struggled in the early stages of the season, even briefly dropping into the bottom four in September. Although form gradually improved, they struggled for consistency and Evans was dismissed in March following a run of four games without a win.
In came Matt Hamshaw, initially on an interim basis before landing the role on a permanent basis. However, he ended the season with two draws and two defeats to finish 13th, 19 points off the play-off places.
“Gap Too Big To Bridge”
Although big spenders Birmingham City and Wrexham have left the division, a host of good teams remain. Former Premier League side Luton Town are sure to challenge for the title, whilst the likes of Bolton Wanderers and Huddersfield Town are expected to launch their own bids for promotion.
Playing catch up already, former West Bromwich Albion striker Goodman believes it could be another tough season at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. Speaking to Football League World, he said:
“I think the strength of League One is going to pretty good next season, which is going to make it difficult for Rotherham, who were one of my biggest EFL disappointments last season,” Goodman explained.
“Having been relegated from the Championship, to finish 13th was really poor and their points tally was closer to relegation than it was to a play-off spot even, so to bridge that gap they’ve got a lot of work to do”, he added,
“Matt Hamshaw did okay at the end of last season, but there’s quite a big gap for them to bridge, so automatic promotion will be very difficult.”
Writer’s View
Although Rotherham have bounced between the Championship and League One in recent years, it appears as if the reset button may be needed. Last season was a huge wake up call in that the third tier is not as easy for them to get out of as it used to be. Few predicted them to struggle like they did but to turn things around next time out and close the gap on those that finished above them will be a mammoth task. These teams will also get stronger so it may be time for the Millers to stabilise before they can seriously consider themselves promotion contenders once again.
