Lee Clark's message as Rotherham United players are the target of the biggest insult of all

Some members of the relegated Millers squad have been accused of lacking character and among their detractors sharing that view has been their own manager, Lee Clark.

The new boss is hoping to see a huge improvement in application at the O's and then against Luton Town, Reading and Wycombe Wanderers before the close of a miserable League One campaign.

“Playing football is the best career in the world,” he said. “It's wrong to call it a job because it's been your hobby since you were a kid. Now you get paid handsomely for doing your hobby and you can provide you and your family with a fantastic lifestyle.

“People are questioning the players' desire. That's got to be the worst thing that can ever be said to you in this industry. They can question you technically, tactically, they can ask if you're good enough But to say ‘Have they got the desire?’ And that's a regular question that's come up.

“The players have to take that, fight back against those kind of assumptions of them and give everything they've got. That's what I'm looking for in the last four games.”

Clark would rather not blast his squad but has no regrets about doing so after displays in recent defeats against Barnsley and Wigan Athletic that he branded “unacceptable”.

“You've seen what I'm about, I’m honest,” said the man who took the hot-seat a month ago. “I ain't going to be messing around with people when it's been so serious and it hasn't been good enough. It's down to the players.

“What we're seeing from this group is absolutely not good enough. There's no sugar-coating it, it not good enough at all in any aspect. Since I've come through the door, it's been very frustrating. So many things are not right here.”

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One to watch

Orient’s Dom Ballard is the top scorer in League One, with 22 goals from 37 third-tier appearances. The forward, who has just turned 21, started out at Southampton and spent last season on loan at Blackpool and then Cambridge United, hitting the target three times in 39 outings. The Guildford-born player has represented England from under-17 to U-20 level. He joined Orient on a permanent deal in the summer.

Form guide

Millers: LLDLLL

Orient: WDDLLD

Orient lost 2-1 at leaders Lincoln City last Saturday and followed that up with a 0-0 home draw with Mansfield Town.

In 64 contests between the clubs since 1920, Rotherham have 29 wins and Orient 20.

Past clashes

Oct 18 2025, League One: Millers 1 Orient 0

Sam Nombe

Mar 4 2025, League One: Millers 1 Orient 0

Jayden Sweeney og

Oct 22 2024, League One:

Orient 1 Millers 0

May 25 2014, League One Play-off Final: Millers 2 Orient 2

(Millers win 4-3 on penalties)

Alex Revell 2

Feb 1 2014, League One: Millers 2 Orient 1

Wes Thomas, Revell

October 26 2013, League One: Orient 1 Millers 0

Rotherham have 28 wins and Orient 15 in 63 contests between the clubs since 1920.

Last meeting

A second-half Sam Nombe goal settled the game at New York Stadium in the Millers favour early on in an unbeaten streak that would last for 13 matches.

Rival boss

After a long career as a midfielder with the likes of Blackpool, Oldham Athletic and Doncaster Rovers, Richie Wellens turned to management in 2017 and was in charge of Oldham, Swindon Town, Salford City and Doncaster before taking the Orient job in 2022. The former

Manchester United youngster led them to promotion from League Two and last season took them to the League One Play-off Final where they lost 1-0 to Charlton Athletic.

Man in the middle

James Bell made the EFL List in 2020 and has plenty off experience in Leagues One and Two and the Championship. He last took charge of a Rotherham match back in September 2021 when the Millers won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers through two Ben Wiles goals. From South Yorkshire, he has shown 55 yellow cards in 15 outings this term and has yet to show any reds.

The odds

The bookmakers fancy Orient, offering a home win at evens and an away victory at 13/5. A draw is 5/2.