Fleming - A Yo-Yo Season

Rotherham United captain, Craig Fleming, says that playing for the Millers this season has been like a yo-yo.

'One week it's 'wow',' he told The Advertiser,'the next week it's 'yuk'. One week we do well and we think we are getting there the next week it falls flat.'

Fleming, thirty-five, was brought in by ex- manager, Alan Knill, in the hopes that he would help bung up the leaks at the back. But, the team have still continued to let in seventy-two goals this season, being the second worst in League One.

Fleming also admits that dropping down a division with Rotherham was a culture shock and has taken him some time to adjust to it.

'I have noticed the ball is in the air more than in the Championship and Premiership,' he said, 'and it is something I have had to come to terms with.

'Defending is not just about the back four, successful sides defend as a team - they defend all the way from the front, all the way through mid-field and to the back. At times we haven't done that.

'I'm not shifting the blame here, the back four have been responsible at times but I think if we attack and defend as a team we look a good side. When we don't we look ragged.'

Fleming, who has played top flight football with Oldham Athletic and Norwich City, is now getting ready to adapt to playing in the bottom tier of the football league.

'Whatever league you're in you have to earn the right to play,' he said, 'the higher the team the more attractive football you seem to play - lower down you have to taper it a bit. We are not going to go Route One bish, bash, bosh football; you have to get the balance right, like Scunthorpe. They were not much better than us, we could have been three or four goals up at their place but they got the balance right. They play their football in their opponents' half - they stay solid, know their jobs and do it week in week out.

'Since Mark Robins took over we have had a bit more stability and been a harder team to beat, but consistency comes with confidence as well. Once you do find it then it becomes a habit.

'And I need to lead by example. That's what I am here for.'

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