A season of missed opportunities so far for up and down Rotherham United

Here, the Star takes a look at the story of their season to date.

Missed opportunities

The Millers are currently 19th, five points clear of the drop zone, which in isolation is a position they will be happy with. But they will feel as if they should definitely be better off, having conceded three result-changing goals in injury time. If they had not conceded against Birmingham, Huddersfield and Norwich in consecutive games then they would have an extra five points and things be looking even rosier. Three wins and three draws leaves them one point better off than they were at this stage last time they were in the Championship.

Second-half pain

Conceding those late goals have contributed to a generally painful second-half experience for the Millers. Out of the 12 goals they have shipped in their opening 11 games, 10 of them have come after the break. Is that a question of fitness, a mental weakness or just the quality of the opposition eventually telling? Either way it has been damaging and boss Paul Warne will want to find a solution.

Goal threat

As ever, goals have been hard to come by for the Millers at this level and they are averaging less than one a game. Out of the 10 they have scored, only four have been from open play and creating chances has been problem. Warne has rotated his strikers with Freddie Ladapo, Michael Smith and George Hirst all getting game time, but only Ladapo has found the net. Warne has admitted that his side need to be more creative if they are going to prosper this season.

Defensive solidity

But it is not all doom and gloom as the Millers have been very solid at the other end, which will provide a good base if they can get things right in attack. They have let 12 goals in, but tellingly only on two occasions have they let more than one goal in, which when you are not scoring can be a vital statistic. Warne has good central defensive options, with Michael Ihiekwe, Angus MacDonald, Clark Robertson and Richard Wood all impressing at different stages.