Joe Powell's view as Rotherham seek a milestone victory tomorrow
JOE Powell boarded the team bus today confident that Rotherham United can pull off a feat this weekend that they haven't managed to achieve for the best part of four years.
The Millers travelled to Luton Town this afternoon for a League One clash tomorrow at Kenilworth Road where victory would give them three successive away wins for the first time since early 2022.
Matt Hamshaw's men – unbeaten in their last six third-tier outings – face a tough task against in-form opposition, but Powell is backing them to produce the goods again and climb higher than their present 12th spot.
“Morale is high and there's nothing to stop us getting that result,” the midfielder said. “We're going in with the right intentions and definitely thinking that we can turn them over.”
Rotherham face a ninth-placed Hatters side who have won their last four matches in all competitions and boss Hamshaw admits he will learn something about his side when they do battle with Jack Wilshere's team.
However, in the light of the injury crisis that has robbed him of all his recognised senior centre-halves, he refused to place too much emphasis on the contest.
“I wouldn't say that we'll find out exactly where we're at, because I don't have all my tools available to me,” he said.
“I'm not talking dismissively about my players – because I back any of them – but it's hard sometimes when I don't have the options that I know I'll, potentially, be blessed with in two or three weeks.
“If we win or draw, people will say it's a flag-in-the-ground moment. But I wouldn't say that we're there or we're not there just on the basis of this one game.
“I'm really pleased with the form we're in, I'm really pleased with the character of the team. Mentally, the lads are in a good place. Confidence-wise, we're in a good place. We're aware we've got injuries and have had a bit of illness. That is what it is.”
The Millers triumphed 2-1 at Northampton Town on October 11 and followed that up with a memorable 1-0 derby success at Barnsley a fortnight later.
Hamshaw was a coach during the reign of Paul Warne when Rotherham won five League One away games on the trot between January 29 and February 26 in the 2021/22 promotion campaign.
Since then, they have won two consecutive games on their travels only once – just after Hamshaw's return as manager late last March.
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One to watch
Jerry Yates started out with Rotherham and moved to Blackpool in 2020 after scoring five goals in 52 outings for the Millers. A 23-goal season from the striker helped the Tangerines win promotion to the Championship and in 2023 he joined Swansea City in a £2.5-million deal. His spell in South Wales wasn't a huge success and he spent last season on loan with Derby County. Now aged 28, he became a Luton player in the summer and has scored four times in 16 appearances.
Form guide
Luton: LLWWWW
Millers: WWWLDW
After a 4-3 home win over National League Forest Green in the first round of the FA Cup, Luton (away to Stockport). In 37 contests between the clubs since, Rotherham have 10 wins and the Hatters 16.
Recent matches
Apr 15 2023, Championship: Millers 0 Luton 2
Nov 12, 2022, Championship: Luton 1 Millers 1
Jamie Lindsay
May 4 2021, Championship: Luton 0 Millers 0
Nov 4 2020, Championship: Millers 0 Luton 1
Dec 8 2009, FA Cup: Luton 3 Millers 0
Nov 28 2009, FA Cup: Millers 2 Luton 2
Adam Le Fondre, Stephen Brogan
Mar 31 2009, League Two: Luton 2 Millers 4
Reuben Reid, Drewe Broughton, Daniel Harrison, Mark Hudson
Sep 20 2008, League Two: Millers 1 Luton 0
Alex Rhodes
The last clash
Rotherham were well beaten, 2-0, as they went down to goals from Carlton Morris and Cauley Woodrow at AESSEAL New York Stadium in April 2023. The Millers stayed up in the Championship that season under Matt Taylor while Luton, with Rob Edwards at the helm, won promotion to the Premier League.
Rival boss
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere took the Luton hot-seat in October following the sacking of Matt Bloomfield. It's the 33-year-old's first permanent job in management. After bringing his injury-hit playing career to a close in 2023 following stints with West Ham United, Bournemouth and Danish side AGF, he became a coach at Norwich City and stepped up briefly as interim boss after the departure of Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Man in the middle
Craig Hicks is in his ninth season on the EFL list, having previously spent several years in non-league football. The Surrey official has shown 32 yellow cards in ten games this season and has yet to send off a player. His last experience of Rotherham came in March 2022 when he refereed the 0-0 League One draw at Wycombe Wanderers.
The odds
The bookmakers are tipping a home win, offering Luton at 1/2 and the Millers at 5/1. A draw is 61/5.