The long-distance issues of Plymouth away for Rotherham United
PREPARATION is everything as Rotherham United head south this weekend for their longest away trip of the season.
They make the 300-mile trip down to Plymouth Argyle barley two days since the tussle with Blackpool night that ended in a 3-0 defeat.
That match was put back 24 hours to Wednesday due to Blackpool’s FA Cup tie last Sunday and the Millers have been ready for the quick turn-around as they look to hit back from their first loss in ten matches.
“As much as you try and play it down, Plymouth is a long way,” said Hamshaw. “When do we travel? What time do you travel? Do we train somewhere on the way down? Do you go down the night before? There is loads of planning goes into it.
"You also have to take into account the effect the travel has on the players afterwards, on the Sunday and the Monday.
"I know people will think ‘they’re footballers and they’re on a really nice coach’ – and it is a nice coach – but it still takes a lot out of you. You do have to manage it differently.
"I still love going to Plymouth. I love their stadium and the fans down there make it loud. It’s a good place to go and play football and it is also quite intimidating, I don’t mind admitting that.
"We have been down there a number of times and been on the right end of results.”
Fancied to do well this season, Argyle are still waiting for take-off under Tom Cleverley, who took over in the summer.
They have won only twice at Home Park in League One so far but will have been buoyed by a 1-0 win at Wycombe in midweek.
“Form can turn and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why. Something clicks,” said Hamshaw.
"We have watched them quite a lot recently and there has been a lack of confidence, which is understandable. Sometimes, as powerful as the fans can be, it can be hard when they have been used to the success they have had in recent times. You remember that cup game against Liverpool and how the town was going mental.
"They’ve had it tough but at the same time it’s a tough game. They have some good players.”
Plymouth will be without top scorer Lorent Tolaj, suspended, while the 15th placed Millers are monitoring the fitness of the likes of Josh Benson, Reece James, Shaun McWilliams and Zak Jules.
Hamshaw added: "We have been on a good run. although I wouldn’t say it was an amazing run because we have drawn too many games for my liking.
"As a manager, you have to be true to yourself and make sure the messages stay the same. It’s about us, not them, and how we do it.”
Kick-off tomorrow is at 3pm.