RUFC - Q & A with a U's Fan!

Rotherham United play Oxford United tomorrow in the first game of a new season and we have managed to find a U's fan who had time to answer some questions for us.

Do you think you will finish higher than your twelfth place last season?
 
Yes I think so. We needed to concede about 10 less goals last season and score about 15 more to get in the top seven. So I think we should be looking at a play-off place at least.
 
How many new players have you got in during the pre-season - and who do you think will prove to be the best value for money?
 
We have released a few and added 9 new players. The second part of the question is a little hard as we needed improving in defence, midfield and attack. Chris Wilder has done that in a big way. Up front we have added Deane Smalley who should give us 15+ goals this year. Midfield we have added Peter Leven a creative/goal scoring player. But I suspect our best signing will be Michael Duberry who will add his know how to the defence.
 
Former Miller, Paul McLaren has been injured. How near is he to regaining full fitness?
 
He has this week just started full training so suspect he needs reserve games under his belt before even getting onto the bench. So may be mid August before we see him around the team.
 
Who should we be looking out for on Saturday?
 
The main man in pre season for me has been the return of Alfie Potter, He appears to have bulked himself up and found his scoring boots with 4 goals to finish joint top scorer with Deane Smalley in our warm up matches.
 
I see you have a new away kit - what do you think about it?
 
I can`t say I`m a big fan of it to be honest it`s to blue. I much preferred last seasons light blue away kit.
 
Is there anything about Oxford United that we might not know? 
May be a couple of things. During the 80`s we were and I think still are the only team to have been promoted from the old third division to the top flight in consecutive seasons.
Ed note - wow that was good going! And, no, I didn't remember that if I ever knew!
 
We also hold the record as the first club to have played in the top division and won a major domestic trophy in the League Cup to have been relegated out of the football league.
 
Lastly we were the first football league match selected as a pay per view match against Sunderland in 1998
 
Will you be coming to Don Valley - and/or have you been before?  If so, what do you think of the place?
 
Yes I came last year and will be coming again.  In essence Don Valley does the job I suppose but the fact that all the fans are down one side with the away fans near a corner does not create an atmosphere. It does not help either that the pitch is in the middle of a running track. So I`m sure most away fans and home fans will look forward to the day that you move into a purpose built venue.

Thanks Terry! And, apart from when you play the Millers (!), Good Luck for the coming season!




Vital Rotherham on:
 
Vital Rotherham on: