Rotherham season ticket holder Ross Middleton makes his LFW debut, giving us the latest from South Yorkshire and what QPR can expect from the Millers on Saturday.

From the near bankrupt, homeless, bottom division club of a few years ago Rotherham are now back in the Championship and in a new stadium — how has it all been turned around?

RM: It's hard to believe we've come so far over the last three years to be honest. Three years to the day (yesterday actually) we moved into our new home, all due to the endeavours of our chairman Tony Stewart who made the brave decision to take us away from Millmoor to Sheffield and Death, I mean Don, Valley amid criticism from traditionalists who could never see us leaving our little old ageing stadium. He's not afraid to make big decisions is our Tony - and I even refer to the colour suits he tends to wear. But that was the first big decision he made and it was fully justified. The second big decision was to employ the man who will provide the main subject of this question and answer session. Steve Evans.

I have to admit Steve Evans wasn't my first choice when he was appointed along with Paul Raynor, but you can't argue with the results on paper — three and a bit seasons, back to back promotions and keeping us up in the ever-competitive Championship last term. There have been lots (and lots and lots) or signings along the way and peaks and troughs like you wouldn't believe. However, it is plain to see that Evans and Tony Stewart have a great working relationship that has been pivotal in our success story.

So to sum up Tony Stewart and his board are the ones that are responsible for the turnaround off the field and they picked the right man on it to get us up the ladder.

Steve Evans seems like a man the opponents love to hate, and has a chequered history at best back at Boston and Crawley, presumably he’s well liked in Rotherham? Assess the job he’s done?

RM: Even with the success we've enjoyed during the last three and a half seasons, people still remain unconvinced of Steve's ability to do the job at this level due to the constant chopping and changing of squad personnel every transfer window. I think we signed 31 players last season in total, many on loan, which just cannot sustain itself over the long term. There is no doubt that he is a lower league master at getting teams promoted but many question his ability this level, which is perhaps unfair because he has only had one season in the Championship and kept us up.

You cannot fault the man's passion for football and indeed Rotherham United - the soundbites were there from day one of this being the right football club for him, a place to settle down, and it does appear that he does have a great love for the club. But - and this is a big but - it is the passion that boils over on the touchline and in post-match interviews that really irks a lot of Rotherham supporters so on the whole I'd say he's well liked by the majority of fans purely for what he has done but annoys others with his child-like behaviour with referees.

His history always counts against him in terms of the Boston trouble and he's hated nationwide, which in a way inspires him and is probably the reason he is so successful and determined to get one over on teams, and us fans have ridden along with that - a Millwall-type attitude of 'no one like us, we don't care' but without the violence of course.

Who came and went over the summer? How do you rate your transfer business?

RM: Well Steve Evans was determined not to make the same transfer mistakes as last season and vowed to learn from his mistakes and bring in quality not quantity. But the harsh reality is that we cannot compete with teams in this division with wages and transfer fees, so another 12 have been brought in.

We were linked with the likes of Le Fondre and Emi Martinez, but ended up signing players on mainly one year contracts (which could end up being a good thing), bringing in Championship experience in Greg Halford, Danny Collins, Chris Maguire and Lewis Buxton, all decent signings and still bedding themselves into the team. However, after defeats against MK Dons and Forest, it is clear that we are missing that cutting edge in midfield and up front and have not got the commanding goalkeeper we need at this level. I imagine it's not for the want of trying but just the sheer numbers involved - if Bristol City are bidding £8 million for Andre Gray then we are screwed.

All in all I'd say the jury's still out on business - time will tell but there could be more new faces before September 1.

One point from three games so far, a tonking on day one, relegation favourites, are you apprehensive about this season? Any positives to take so far?

RM: We were comfortable with the relegation favourites tag, because we're used to it and let's face it, our average attendance will be the lowest and we'll have a smaller squad than others, smaller wage bill etc.

However, since the first day beating we took we have played a little better in every game and look a bit stronger at the back, apart from our nervous keeper Kelle Roos, who's been plucked from Derby reserves and looks like Bambi on Ice.

I have to say though that I do fear for us this year - I sat there at Forest last week watching Michail Antonio fall over his own bootlaces and get a foul every time and then actual fouls by Forest players go unpunished and thought 'little old Rotherham' will not get the rub of the green most games as we didn't last year. It is becoming quite frustrating when defenders save a ball with two hands and refs don't give penalties, as well as the knowledge that other teams have got a £5m rated player who can change a game in an instant and we're mainly reliant on hard work and a bit of luck (beginning to sound like Steve Evans here!).

Seriously though, you never know. I still think this division is that unpredictable that we could go and surprise you guys on Saturday, or you guys might click into gear and give us a hammering. It's no wonder I can't win a bean on my bets.

Who are the strongest players and weakest links in this current Rotherham team?

RM: As mentioned previously, our new goalkeeper is struggling to leave that six-yard line and command his area. He's a great shot stopper (as they all seem to be nowadays) but looks very nervous, which infiltrates into the defence. We are definitely missing the calming influence of Kari Arnason (getting ready for Champions League nights with Malmo nowadays) but hopefully the return of Farrend Rawson (now eligibly signed thank you) will strengthen us, along with the completion of Kirk Broadfoot's ban for abusing James McClean (that's an argument for another day!).

Matty Derbyshire will be our goal threat, still knows where the goal is but ploughing a lone furrow up front at the moment. However we do have Danny Ward (if fit) and Jonson Clarke-Harris (if bothered) to assist if changes are required. We have been strengthened in the full back positions with the return to fitness of Lewis Buxton and Joe Mattock and if on his game Aidy White will add pace down the left flank. The problem is that no one knows what the team will be from one match to the next.

Short, medium and long term aims for the club?

RM: Short term is survival. Simple. Medium and long term depends on the club. Mr Stewart talks about mid-table finishes and Premier League capability but frankly we need more investment for that and in my eyes that's unrealistic for a club of our size. Yes Bournemouth have done it but with the help of a wealthy Russian. Our sights should be firmly set on preserving our Championship identity for a good few years and bringing ourselves in line with other clubs' wage bills through developing and selling on players and continuing to thrive in the Championship.

There's talk of us expanding the stadium but we need to preserve our Championship status to do that so let's wait and see. This season is a big one in terms of where we go from here.

Pictures — Action Images

Photo: Action Images

enfieldargh added 20:16 - Aug 21 Matt Derbyshire. didnt he score two identical goals against us from corners in the 5-2 win over Forest in the chumps last time?
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TacticalR added 23:39 - Aug 21 Thanks to Ross. Evans looks like he's living on deep-fried Mars bars and about to have a stroke. Interesting that he has presided over such a high turnover of players - he sounds like a lower league Harry Redknapp.
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