It has been a summer of change at the New York Stadium following relegation from the second tier last season. A total of thirteen departures and nine new arrivals (so far) have trimmed a fairly small squad but I think manager Paul Warne likes a relatively small first team squad of twenty or so to work with.

Tranfer Business

Departures: Vaulks, Ajayi, Williams, Dominic Ball, David Ball, Taylor, Forde, Purrington, Yates (loan), Palmer (loan), Potter, Newell & Rodak Transfer fees for Vaulks, Ajayi & Purrington added up to approx. £4 million.

Arrivals: Lamy, Ladapo, Barlaser (loan), Iverson (loan), Clarke (subject to international clearance), McDonald, Olasunde, Morris & Lindsay.

£800,000 for Lindsay & Ladapo have been paid (so far) in transfer fees.

Pre-season thoughts

Looking at the club’s relatively successful pre-season it seems that Warne has abandoned his 4-5-1 system for the coming season, preferring a narrow but more adventurous 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 system which provides support for last season’s lone frontman Michael Smith.

Much needed support for the full backs has been provided with USA International Matt Olasunde vying with Billy Jones for the RB slot while on the other side Irishman Trevor Clarke along with academy graduate Akeem Hinds will provide competition for the ever consistent Joe Mattock at LB.

The CB position still could do with strengthening with only the excellent Clark Robertson, evergreen Richard Wood & the vastly improved Michael Ihekwe available in that position. All change in the middle of the park with top prospect Ben Wiles, the excellent Matt Crooks, Newcastle loanee Dan Barlaser, experienced Shaun McDonald & highly rated capture from North of the border Jamie Lindsay fighting it out for a starting place.

Up front Warne does seem to have a multitude of riches with last season’s talisman Michael Smith up against fit again Jamie Proctor & finally fully fit Kyle Vassell both of whom could play in wide areas, as could unknown Frenchman Julian Lamy who is listed as a right winger. The enigmatic and talented Freddie Ladapo and the equally talented Carlton Morris give the boss the perfect selection headache. Add to this a seemingly ideal replacement for Rodak in goal in the form of Daniel Iverson, who has been excellent in pre-season, and the prospects ahead look good.

To the untrained eye it would seem Warne has abandoned width after all his wide men departed in the summer but he has the ability to let players shine in previously unfamiliar roles (who would have thought CB Ajayi would excel in DM for example) so I would anticipate a similar number of crosses coming in for Smith and company to attack.

A sense of optimism surrounds the fans rather than the despair you often find following relegation. 5,500 season tickets sold so far, encouraging pre-season performances including creditable draws with Leicester and West Brom, fans appreciative of the determined but ultimately unsuccessful fight against the drop in a money-laden second tier. Most are generally excited about the new signings, not a bad time to be a Rotherham fan.

PREDICTION: 5th

It may take time for the new signings to gel and with difficult trips to Burton, Sunderland plus Doncaster in the early weeks of the season it may well be that the third tier proves more difficult than some of the more optimistic Millers fans hope, but although the squad is relatively small it is certainly a lot more suited to the division they’re in. In my opinion the playoffs are a realistic target & whilst they won’t set the division alight they should make the top six come May.

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 Rotherham United correspondent