The view from Darrell Clarke:
“It will be an opportunity for players, I don’t look at it as game time, it’s an opportunity for players to stake their claim for the shirt,” said Darrell Clarke.
“The performance wasn’t good enough Saturday, so the shirts are for grabs come tomorrow night and for Saturday’s league game and that’s the way it should be.”
Opposition’s Boss thoughts:
“We’re all about trying to make memories here and make people proud. We just want to win football matches and so do the lads,” said Millers gaffer, Paul Warne.
“We’ll put out a really strong team, as I’m sure Port Vale will too, and both look to win a cup game.
“I don’t try and complicate the game, the lads know every time they put a shirt on for us, they have to go out and impress. Wednesday will be no different.”
Fixture Flashback:
Sky Bet League Two, Vale Park, Saturday 8th September 2012, Port Vale 6-2 Rotherham United
Why not roll back the years and take a look at an emphatic victory for Vale against this week’s Carabao Cup opponents.
Back in 2012 it was club legend Tom Pope at the top of the pitch for the Valiants, on that day he scored four goals against his former club Rotherham to ensure an emphatic victory.
Vale looked like they had put the match out of sight by the half-hour mark when Louis Dodds, Ashley Vincent and Pope's first two goals, put Vale 4-0 up.
However, Michael O'Connor pulled one back on 31 minutes to give the away side a little hope heading into half-time, albeit only a small chance.
Rotherham came out in the second half looking to get goals back instantly, and that’s what they did through Daniel Nardiello’s penalty in the early stages of the second period.
Pope made sure that the visitors hope was short lived through when he struck once more to make it a hattrick on 68 minutes.
Vale and the then 27-year-old were not finished there though, and the striker added his fourth through a close-range strike on a day he will always remember.
The result meant the 2012 Valiants had won five of their opening six games with the other a draw, a season which saw Vale promoted in third and the visitors promoted in second.
If Darrell Clarke’s side can perform anything close to that day, then the Vale faithful will have plenty to cheer about on Wednesday, let’s hope they can replicate that performance.
Port Vale | Neal, Duffy, McCombe, McDonald (80’ Owen), Loft, Myrie-Williams (82’ Taylor), Morsy, Shuker, Vincent (88’ Williamson), Dodds, Pope
Unused subs | Johnson, Yates, Lloyd, Burge
Rotherham United | Shearer, Hunt (46’ Morgan), Sharps, Mullins, Wilson (32’ Tongue), Noble, Pringle, O’Connor, Evans (76’ Ainsworth), Odejayi, Nardiello
Unused subs | Warrington, Taylor, Revell, Agard
Last Time Out:
Sky Bet Championship, AESSEAL New York Stadium, Saturday 30th July 2022, Rotherham United 1-1 Swansea City
Rotherham United’s return to Championship ended in a draw as a Harry Darling debut equaliser ensured Swansea City came away with a point.
Chiedozie Ogbene gave the hosts an early lead with his head, but Darling smashed home a stunning shot from distance in his first competitive for the Swans to ensure the spoils were shared.
The Republic of Ireland forward, Ogbene, who was linked with a move to South Wales in the summer, floated his header over helpless Andrew Fisher to open the scoring.
However, Russell Martin's team took complete control in the early stages, despite the home sides early goal, twice carving opportunities for Joel Piroe that he couldn’t quite finish.
Ogbene very nearly had his second nine minutes after the opener, but this time Fisher was equal to his acrobatic volley.
Rotherham started the second half the better of the two teams, and had the first effort of the second 45, as Ogbene's shot was pushed beyond the far post by Fisher.
Then came a moment to forget for Michael Obafemi, as Piroe ran brilliantly from his own half and set up an opportunity Obafemi seemingly couldn’t miss.
The Irishman the goal gaping at the far post but caught the ball with his heel and couldn’t direct home, leaving the stadium shocked, whilst also happy to see the scores remain level.
Ins and Outs:
Arrivals:
Rotherham have made nine new additions this summer including the likes of Conor Washington and Tom Eaves to help bolster their attack this campaign.
Grant Hall and Scott High have also come in on loan from Middlesbrough and Huddersfield respectively, important additions to the spine of the South Yorkshire side.
All signings: Cameron Humphreys, Conor Washington, Tom Eaves, Jamie McCart, Lee Peltier, Peter Kioso, Cohen Brammall, Grant Hall and Scott High.
Departures:
Paul Warne has lost some key squad members this summer with Michael Smith and Michael Ihiekwe moving across Yorkshire to join up with Sheffield Wednesday.
Rotherham have also lost one of their star men from recent seasons, Freddie Ladapo, who has also moved down a division to sign for Ipswich Town on a free.
All departures: Michael Smith, Michael Ihiekwe, Freddie Ladapo, Angus MacDonald, Mickel Miller, Joe Mattock, Jake Cooper, Jacob Gratton and Jerome Greaves.
Team news:
Rotherham have no fresh concerns leading into Wednesday’s clash, but they will have to do without Tom Eaves, Joshua Kayode and Ciaran McGuckin who aren’t quite ready for action for the visitors.
Form: D
30/07/22: Rotherham United 1-1 Swansea City, Sky Bet Championship