MATCHDAY: Millers braced for Royals challenge

ROTHERHAM United will be warned about the threat posed by Reading's “total football” when they take on Jaap Stam's high flyers at the Madejski Stadium today.
Jon Taylor is upended by Birmingham City's Jonathan Grounds in Friday's draw.Jon Taylor is upended by Birmingham City's Jonathan Grounds in Friday's draw.
Jon Taylor is upended by Birmingham City's Jonathan Grounds in Friday's draw.

ROTHERHAM United will be warned about the threat posed by Reading's “total football” when they take on Jaap Stam's high flyers at the Madejski Stadium  today.

The Royals have forged a place in the Championship's top six based upon a possession game and they hit back from their recent seven-goal thrashing at Norwich to end Aston Villa’s five-match unbeaten run at the weekend.

Millers chief Paul Warne was at Villa Park to see the Royals win 3-1, with former Millers striker Lewis Grabban, on loan from Bournemouth, claiming one of  the goals.

 “They’re a little bit Fulham-esque,” Warne told the Advertiser. “They play total football and like playing through the middle part of the pitch so my team and system might be different to the one against Birmingham.

“If you catch Reading on their best day at home, they're pretty formidable. I'm well aware of their pace and power and I'm well aware of the height of that challenge.”

Relegated Rotherham will be chasing a first away win of the season today, having taken just one point from 21 attempts on the road so far, but will have been lifted by Friday’s battling draw with Birmingham at the New York Stadium.

Warne reported no fresh injury concerns after that game.

Kick-off today is 3pm and there will be updates before, during and after the game on our Twitter feed @rothtisersport