Not convincing but a win is a win.

Cheltenham’s bus parking tactics didn’t help but the Millers aren’t at their best when they are trying to dictate play. The Robins to their credit kept their shape throughout & made it very difficult for Rotherham to break down. The fact that the hosts had only two shots on target throughout the 99 minutes bears this out & made it a very tough watch for supporters.

Smith’s goal WAS a foul

The Millers 24th minute winning goal when Smith & Cheltenham defender Boyle were tussling for a through ball saw Smith clearly hold Boyle back before finishing for the only goal of the game. Cheltenham can feel hard done by with that decision but alternatively could Rotherham have had a second-half penalty for a foul on Ogbene & was Smith’s second-half header that was chalked off really offside, swings & roundabouts.

The Ladapo transfer situation.

As a Millers fan who watches the games week in week out, I believe Ladapo’s transfer has negatively affected the much-vaunted team spirit in the Millers camp that Paul Warne values so highly. Freddie started the game & played 80 minutes until he was replaced by Will Grigg. Unfortunately, his performance was average at best & his lack of work rate of which he has been criticized before came to the fore once again.

How does Richard Wood do it?

MOM by a country mile in this game. Leading by example, heading, clearing everything, pressing, talking & organising everyone around him, he’s 36 and playing like a man 10 years younger. Club captain, team captain & Warnes Colonel on the pitch and in the dressing room, he is an integral and important part of the club’s recent successes.

Cheltenham’s lack of ambition cost them dear

Surprising really to say they went a goal down after 24 minutes they never really got out of damage limitation mode. N’Lundulu, May & Wright were comfortably shackled by our defence & Millers keeper Josh Vickers had very little to do apart from a couple of long-range efforts that were comfortable for him.

A deserved win for the hosts in a pretty poor match in truth. Cheltenham have had a decent enough season following last season’s promotion but a little more ambition in away games might not go amiss. The Millers soldier on alongside Wigan, Wycombe & Sunderland in what looks like a four-way fight for the two automatic promotion places.

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 Rotherham writer