The Carabao Cup returns this Wednesday with Vale back at home to take on Championship side Rotherham United.
You have to go back to the opening day of the season to see the Millers’ last result, a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea City, after last Saturday’s trip to Coventry was postponed.
Vale, however, will be looking to put last Saturday behind them after the loss at Exeter City, their first away game of the season.
In this article we cast an eye towards our League Cup opponents and see what they will offer this Wednesday.
ONE TO WATCH: Dan Barlaser
The man in the middle for the Yorkshire side, 25-year-old Dan Barlaser, is the player to keep an eye on when we face the Millers.
With 16 goal contributions last season, Barlaser has had many eyes on him this transfer window, but Rotherham will be hoping he stays put and continues his impressive performances this campaign.
Dubbed the ‘Geordie Pirlo’ by the United faithful, the midfielder originally started his career at boyhood club Newcastle United, whom he joined at the age of nine.
Barlaser rose through the ranks in the North East, eventually getting a first start for the Magpies under then-manager Rafa Benitez in 2017, against Birmingham City in the FA Cup.
Unfortunately for the Gateshead-born star, his Newcastle journey didn’t kick on and after a few loans, he left the club for South Yorkshire in 2020, with the current campaign being his third at the club.
THE MAN AT THE HELM: Paul Warne
A familiar face to the Rotherham faithful, Warne had two spells at the club in his playing days and has been involved in the coaching staff since 2012.
The Millers gaffer spent over nine years at the club in his two spells as player, in the first period he played a part bin back-to-back promotions to the Championship.
Playing as a midfielder in his day, Warne also had spells at Yeovil Town and Oldham Athletic between his time in South Yorkshire.
When the 49-year-old’s playing days were over, Warne played a key role in working with the younger players in a coaching role at the club as well as assisting with the fitness side of the club.
He then became a full-time fitness coach when Steve Evans took up the Rotherham hot seat, a role he continued in when Neil Redfearn came in.
In November 2016 Warne became caretaker boss and was then given the full-time role in April 2017.
In his time at the helm, he has overseen both promotions and relegations, but after the Millers’ most recent promotion success, he will be hoping they can stay in the second tier.
STADIUM: AESSEAL New York Stadium
A more recent addition to stadiums in England, the AESSEAL New York Stadium was opened in July 2012.
The ground was named after the company that occupied the space for 150 years prior, which was an organisation that supplied fire hydrants for New York, USA.
Their original ground, Millmoor, was the club’s home for 101 years before they were forced to move to the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield in 2008 where they played their football until the big move in 2012.
Most recently the AESSEAL New York Stadium hosted many UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 matches, showing its usefulness.
HEAD-TO-HEAD LAST FIVE:
Vale wins: 3
Draws: 1
Rotherham wins: 2
Darrell Clarke’s side have the better of the recent record between the two sides, with the most notable victory a 6-2 win over the Yorkshire side in 2012.
However, the most recent fixture between the two sides went the way of the Millers, as they came out victorious via a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in the Papa John’s Trophy last season.