Car share, Zach Bryan and the other side of boss Alex Bruce ... the Josh Austerfield interview

Josh Austerfield and Kian Spence can get a tune out of each other.

We're not talking about on the pitch here, although the teammates have it in them to be a very effective midfield pairing for Rotherham United.

No, this is in the car on the way to training.

It's one at the wheel, the other in the passenger seat as they head to Roundwood.

And there's a third person with them - arguably the biggest country-music star in the world right now.

"I love a bit of Zach Bryan," says Austerfield. "I know Kian likes a few of his songs as well. We listen to him quite a bit."

The 24-year-old joined the Millers in August as he signed on a free transfer from Salford City and he quickly came to an arrangement with Spence who was tired of travelling alone from North Yorkshire.

"Yeah, the car sharee is really nice," he says. "We got that going early doors, I didn't really know where Kian was from when I first joined, but he said it was Harrogate. Me being from Leeds made it a good fit.

"Who's in charge of the music? It depends who drives, to be fair. It's very country-based at the minute, and we have a chat while it's on. I've been in the building for only a matter of weeks, but I feel like I know him more than my brother type of thing.

"I used to drive to Manchester last year and I did that on my own To get someone not far from me is great. We meet about halfway down the M1. Travelling helps you switch off from football, and it creates bonds. To talk about life, family, partners, golf, anything ... it helps."

So, Austerfield and Spence are great pals, yet, to a large degree, they're rivals, too. Both want to be regular starters in the centre of the park, but it's arguably the strongest department in the squad and competition for places is fierce.

As well as those two, there's Brandon Cover, Jamie Jellis, Ossama Ashley and Jayce Fitzgerald. All have enjoyed starting roles at times and all, except for Austerfield, have also spent time on the bench.

The latter reckons there's no issue with being friend and foe.

"I think you have to have a bit of both," he says. "Over the years my fellow midfielders have ended up being my best mates in the team. In a weird way, you almost think alike - you're the same sort of people.

"I've had it over the years where my best friend is the one taking my shirt or I'm taking his. It's a part of being a footballer. I get on really well with Kian, but we both want to play - and we both want to play week in week out.

"I think we're honest enough with each other to know when someone should play and someone shouldn't. If you're on the bench ... the gaffer talks about it all the time, it's about changing the game as a substitute.

"I did that a bit last year with Salford. I did a bit of both - off the bench and from the start. Whatever role I get this year, I'll give 100 per cent. I think we're all supportive enough of each other in the dressing room to accept it's a team game, whether you're starting or not.

"You want to be in a winning team, you want to be in a team that's doing well, because it reflects better on you as an individual and as a group."

Austerfield's move has reunited him with the man who was a coach of his at Salford.

He and Alex Bruce spent two years together at the Peninsula Stadium - reaching last season's play-off final in League Two - before Bruce accepted the hot-seat at AESSEAL New York Stadium in June.

The head coach is a measured, amiable character but he's prepared to bare his teeth if he feels he's being let down.

"One-hundred per cent he has it in him to dig players out," Austerfield says. "Even as an assistant, he had a few instances last year where he was a bit explosive. I feel like you need that. I've had managers who don't really show that side and you think you can get away with things.

"There have been times this season where things haven't been good enough and people haven't necessarily done their job. Sometimes you need to be told that it's not good enough. He's got both sides to him. He's this nice guy and well spoken, but at the same time I've 'had it' from him. I've got so much respect for him that I'll take that on board and do what I can to get a game.

"I've loved playing for him over the years, I'd run through a brick of wall for him, I'll keep doing my very best for him. I came to Rotherham for two reasons: to play for him and because they're a big club."

Performances have dipped this month after an encouraging start to the fourth-tier campaign for a new-look squad containing 16 fresh signings. A push for the play-off places seemed likely until two losses in a tight division dropped the Millers to 20th spot.

Austerfield wants to play his part in a climb up the table and get supporters smiling again after two relegations in three miserable seasons.

"I understand why fans get frustrated when they're not seeing effort and tackles and stuff like that," he says. "I'm a Yorkshire lad, and I want that when I go to watch games. I'll do my very best for them, just as I do for the gaffer, and I'll wear this shirt with pride. It's part of my career and I'm looking forward to the next two years.

"I give my all every week, and that's why the gaffer brought me to the club. I'm as fit as possible as I can be all the time. Being robust is something I've found to be one of my strengths. I want to add a bit more productivity to that - goals, assists.

"I feel like at times I get myself into the right areas but over-think where I am. That's something I'm working with Woody (coach Richard Wood). There's way more to come, not just from me but from loads of lads.

"It's a young squad. We've got bits of experience in there, but I'm 24 and I feel like I'm one of the oldest in there, which is quite mental for me to say. We're getting to know each other, especially on the training pitch. Transitioning from training into games, it's a different thing. We've had glimpses of it. Can we turn those glimpses into strong performances?"

Zach Bryan will be the soundtrack to that mission along with a few other artists as the Nashville influence spreads through the camp.

"Ella Langley, Luke Combs, they're decent," Austerfield says. "I think Zach Bryan is my top one, though. Hamish (Douglas) is proper into country music. There are a few lads in the morning when we get in the gym who like it.

"I think it gets the day going. As much as some people want loud and 'get after it' music, I think it's good to start the morning with some country."

And maybe the Millers squad can take inspiration from the title of the song that Zach Bryan sings to close out his shows ...

Revival.