Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw says the approaching January window is both a worry and an opportunity for the club as the Millers build momentum following a tough start.
Rotherham United find themselves at a pivotal moment in the season. After a disruptive start to the 2025-26 campaign, mainly caused by injuries, manager Matt Hamshaw has helped his newly assembled group start to take shape.
The club now have to plan for the winter window, mindful that strong performances could trigger outside interest in key players and that the squad must be built for stability and progression.
📹 Full-time scenes in the South Yorkshire derby as Rotherham United win at Oakwell for the first time in 55 years.
Millers fan and boss Matt Hamshaw punching the air in front of the away end after Kian Spence’s wonder goal wins it.#BarnsleyFC | #RUFC | @footballheaven pic.twitter.com/rHcJgUFDky
— Adam Oxley (@adam3oxley) October 25, 2025
Momentum Grows But January Brings Unease
Hamshaw’s side have improved in recent weeks, with the likes of Denzel Hall, Ar’Jany Martha and academy graduate Hamish Douglas integrating well into the first-team. However, the manager remains cautious. He said:
“It’s obviously coming up to January and I’m dreading it and looking forward to it in equal measures because a lot of my players have done really well.”
The concern is 2-fold. First, continuing progress could make valuable players targets for other clubs.
Second, recruiting in January presents its usual difficulties, especially for clubs outside the top tier. Hamshaw added:
“But then it’s down to the strategy of the club to make sure that we’re replacing and improving (if players go).”
He emphasised that the club want to make sure they are not merely selling to survive, but investing to improve and keep progressing.
MATT HAMSHAW’S RED ARMY ! #rufc pic.twitter.com/feKXdItduK
— Drawing Millers – Dom (@DrawingMillers) October 18, 2025
Lessons Learned, Eyes On Winter Window
The manager admitted that earlier this season, he felt he erred tactically, citing a greater focus on defence in recent matches and learning to balance that with attacking ambition. The Millers will travel to Luton Town on Saturday still without winger Martha, who is on duty with Curaçao, and Hamshaw expects his squad to “come under it and stand up to it”.
The overarching message is one of continuity: the club wants to build from what has been achieved so far while bracing for the winter test. As Hamshaw observed, the club cannot promise that players will remain under contract indefinitely if they excel, but they can ensure that investment, recruitment and strategic planning support the next phase rather than simply replacing departures.
In short, Rotherham United are stepping into the next chapter of their season. They currently sit 12th in the table, just 4 points outside the top six, with a chance to close the gap above them. A win against the Hatters would lift them above their opponents. The immediate aim is a strong performance away at Kenilworth Road, but the larger objective is to navigate January with a proactive mindset, protecting momentum while preparing for the unforeseen.
For Hamshaw and the Millers, it is a moment of opportunity tempered with caution.
