Ronnie's loan offer falls flat

RONNIE Moore's invitation to clubs to take his players on loan has so far drawn a blank.The new boss wants to move players out so be can bring in better quality replacements to reinforce Rotherham United's promotion push.While delighted at the size of the

RONNIE Moore's invitation to clubs to take his players on loan has so far drawn a blank.

The new boss wants to move players out so be can bring in better quality replacements to reinforce Rotherham United's promotion push.

While delighted at the size of the squad he has inherited from Mark Robins, Moore says the players are much of a muchness and he wants to establish a stronger starting 11.

He said: "Without including any names, I sent a circular to clubs telling them we had people available for loans, but I've not had one phone call back.

"It's difficult because I need to ship four or five out to get four or five in who are better than we have got.

"I'm trying to get a best starting 11 because there's not much between the players here ability wise. No-one is guaranteed to play because there is so little between them.

"Normally when you go to a club, the strongest group are obvious but here we can play an 11 v 11 match in training and it will be 0-0 for ages because they're so evenly matched.

"You need your first team to be better than your second team and that's what I'm trying to create."

Fresh from their FA Cup win at Wealdstone, the Millers aim to correct their faltering league form at mid-table Port Vale tomorrow, with Moore knowing a win could haul his side back into the automatic promotion positions in League Two.

Meanwhile, non-league opposition awaits the Millers in the second round of the FA Cup when Luton Town come to Don Valley on Saturday, November 28.

Recently relegated to the Blue Square Premier due to last season's mammoth 30-point deduction, the Hatters knocked out League Two high flyers Rochdale in Wednesday's first-round replay at Spotland.

"You need that little bit of luck in the cup and this is a good game for us and a good opportunity to get through and get a big club in the third round," added Moore.