Player ratings and match stats from Rotherham United 0 Blackpool 3
Millers writer Paul Davis gives his verdict on a night when the long unbeaten League One run came to a very disappointing end.
There was spell in the second half yesterday when it looked like Matt Hamshaw’s men could force their way back into the contest, but poor defending and the lack of fit strikers cost them dear.
Millers (3-1-4-2)
Cameron Dawson: 6
Made some decent saves but was at fault for the first goal when he was beaten too easily at his near post and the third when he and Thomas Holmes left it to each other to clear the danger and neither did.
Joe Rafferty: 6
Steady. Nothing good, nothing bad.
Hamish Douglas: 5
Not at the level he's generally reached in his first burst of senior action. No major creaks but he just wasn't as effective as we've all enjoyed him being. Only the woodwork denied him a goal when a crisp, first-time shot hit a post.
Reece James: 6
Had looked fine until a facial injury ended his evening early.
Denzel Hall: 6
Has so much in his locker. Not enough of it came out. Didn't play badly, just didn't have his best game.
Dan Gore: 7
Took care of the ball when he had it, went searching for it when he didn't. Did his best late on to get himself booked and incur a one-match ban but, fortunately, the referee made light of the midfielder's running skirmish with George Honeyman.
Kian Spence: 5
Battled hard but was well below his recent standards and a lax pass led to Blackpool's second goal.
Joe Powell: 5
A few good moments, but he was too loose in possession and too wayward with his set-piece deliveries.
Ar'Jany Martha: 6
There were periods when he did very little but there were others when his sublime touch lit up New York.
Jordan Hugill: 4
Two decent games with a swollen ankle, then a very poor one here.
Josh Benson: 6
A bit of magic is never far away with this talented player. Unfortunately, neither is an injury. After looking dangerous in the first half, he limped off with a calf issue and could be facing another spell on the sidelines.
The subs
Jamal Baptiste (for James 28): 7
Did very well on his return from a hamstring-tendon problem. Was sharp and decisive and looked a real athlete.
Marvin Kaleta (for Benson 45+4): 7
Sparkled for the opening 20 minutes of the second half before tiring in his first taste of meaningful action since a September 27 pulled hamstring. So unlucky not to score when his shot came back off a post. Showed pace, trickery and a willingness to take on defenders.
Thomas Holmes (for Douglas H-T): 5
Looked a little ragged and should have done things better in the build-up to Blackpool's late strike.
Not used: Ted Cann, Sean Raggett, Dru Yearwood, Liam Kelly.
Blackpool (3-5-2): Bailey Peacock-Farrell 6; Michael Ihiekwe 7, Fraser Horsfall 7, James Husband 6 (Zac Ashworth 81); Danny Imray 7 (Andy Lyons 62, 6), Josh Bowler 8 (Albie Morgan 62, 6), Jordan Brown 6 (Lee Evans 84), George Honeyman 6, Hayden Coulson 6; Tom Bloxham 7 (CJ Hamilton 81), Ashley Fletcher 7. Subs not used: Scott Banks, Emil Hansson.
Goals: Imray 2, Bloxham 18, Fletcher 83 (Blackpool)
Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire)
Opposition view
“We wanted to start fast, we spoke about it, and the goal was something we worked on the training pitch – getting that fast switch of play to get our wing-backs on the last line and making those runs.
“The most important thing for me is that we’ve shown a different side to our game. Yes, we want to be open, expansive and play pleasing football, but we also want to show that we’re comfortable without the ball and that we’re dangerous in transition.
“I’m so proud of the players, they executed the game-plan brilliantly. The subs we brought on really helped us to get over the line.”
– Blackpool boss Ian Evatt
The stats
Possession: Millers 58 per cent, Blackpool 42
Goal attempts: Millers 17, Blackpool 11
On target: Millers 4 Blackpool 8
Touches in opposition box: Millers 25, Blackpool 14
Corners: Millers 10, Blackpool 3
Fouls committed: Millers 12, Blackpool 16
Final word
Nine unbeaten, then a bad night. The Millers had done well to get this far considering all the injuries. They were responsible for their own downfall as their mistakes were contributing factors in all three Blackpool goals.