Millers boss no stranger to adapting

Known in his playing days as a rough and ragged centre back for top clubs such as Everton, Bolton and Celtic, Stubbs wasn’t afraid to roll his sleeves up and give team mates an earful when warranted.

However, now he is in the managerial hot-seat, he has had to calm himself down in a bid to communicate with his players in the most effective way.

Stubbs told the Advertiser: “As I’ve got older I have adapted to the way the game has gone.

“I don’t think screaming and shouting is the way forward to get a response week in and week out, but I do think there’s a time and a place for it.

“You can go back to school and if you’ve got a teacher that is constantly shouting at you day in, day out, week in and week out you switch off and no matter what they say it goes in one ear and out the other.”

STUBBS TELLS US HE HAS ADAPTED FROM PLAYER TO MANAGER

Stubbs cuts a calm and collected figure on the touchline while games unfold in front of him, but he still retains his sharp tongue for when players need to hear it.

He said: “I could be in a position every other week away from home (to scream and shout) if I’m being honest.

“Against Barnsley, players were told after the game, there were a few choice words said.

“We all have standards and if players want theirs to not be the same as mine, they won’t be in the team, they won’t be at the club for long either.

“Yes there’s a time and a place for it (shouting), in the same way as when a player needs an arm around the shoulder, or a cuddle here and there, then you need to do that.

“I’ve not been in the mood to give them too many cuddles over the last few weeks, they have to earn that, and when they do – to a certertain degree – they can an have whatever they want.”

BLACKSTOCK WHEN HE SIGNED FOR THE MILLERS

Stubbs confirmed that striker Dexter Blackstock, who was signed over two weeks ago but is yet to feature for the Millers, could be in the squad if he comes through the next few days of training.

He said: “Dexter is fit to be in the squad potentially, he has trained this week, we have stepped it up a bit and as long as there is no reaction to training in the next couple of days then he will be in the squad.”

Skipper Lee Frecklington returns to the starting line up for the first time since the opening day after making substitute appearances in the last two games.

Stubbs said: “It is fair to say Frecks (Lee Frecklington) will come back into the team this weekend. His fitness has been good over the last ten days now.

“He came on just after half time at the weekend and you could see the impact he gives the team even in that short space of time.”

Darnell Fisher returns from his one game ban and will replace Stephen Kelly — who has a thigh injury — at right back.

Loan man Tom Adeyemi is ineligible to play against his parent club while injured duo Kirk Broadfoot and Aimen Belaid remain out of contention and have been away from the squad receiving treatment.

Make sure you pick up this week’s Advertiser for an in-depth look at the Blackburn defeat and a full preview of Saturday’s clash with Cardiff.