Lee Clark reveals a proud record as Rotherham United gear up for visit of Barnsley

As a player, Rotherham United's manager was pretty good at them.

In two stints as a Newcastle United midfielder over a combined period of 10 years, he never finished on the losing side of a Tyne and Wear clash with north-east rivals Sunderland.

“It's a good record, it's one I'm proud of,“ said the new Millers chief who also had his fair show of local showdowns when he was with Fulham.

Matches involving local bragging rights were the topic of conversation because tomorrow Rotherham are at home to South Yorkshire Barnsley as they chase the points required to pull off a near-impossible League One survival feat.

“I've been involved in different types of derbies,” said the former boss of Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City and Blackpool who is now three matches into his nine-game spell at AESSEAL New York Stadium following his short-term appointment on March 18.

“It was a bit different when I was at Fulham because the London ones come thick and fast. In management, I've had various ones. They're always special for fans, aren't they?

“Saturday has lots riding on it. One, we need to start winning. Two, it's against our local rivals. The players are well aware of everything that's surrounding the game.”

What's really surrounding it is the nine-point gap 22nd-placed Rotherham must make up in double-quick time to have any chance of being a third-tier side again next term.

So far, Clark has two Millers defeats and a draw to his name and would like nothing more than to register his first victory at the expense of Barnsley who have problems of their own.

The Tykes have slipped to 14th spot, after flirting with the play-offs earlier in the campaign, and haven't won in their last six outings.

“It's a derby and we know that we have to be right up and ready for it, regardless of where Rotherham are in the league,” said their boss, Conor Hourihane. “We need to be completely ready for the challenge ahead.”

Following a 0-0 home draw with Stevenage, the Millers lost 1-0 in Staffordshire in midweek.

“I was at their Port Vale game on Tuesday night and I thought Rotherham were decent in the second half,” Hourihane said. “They probably should have got something from the game.

“They had some chances, so they're still fighting and they're still looking to get the points on the board to give themselves a chance. It's going to be really difficult.

“Whatever Rotherham are doing, we need to focus on ourselves and really improve on our recent performances if we want to come up with any sort of result.”