2020–21 Rotherham United F.C. season explained

The 2020–21 season is Rotherham United's 96th season in their existence and the first back in the Championship following promotion last season.^[1] The club also participated in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.

Key events

The delayed season started for Rotherham on 5 September 2021, with a defeat on penalties in the EFL cup to League 2 side Salford City.^[2]

On 15 September, manager Paul Warne and his assistant Richie Barker signed new contracts, keeping them at the club until the summer of 2023.^[3]

Rotherham suffered long-term injuries to four key players in the five weeks between 7 October and 12 November. Chiedozie Ogbene required knee surgery, and was ruled out until at least January; Clark Robertson suffered a broken foot, which ruled him out until the end of the winter; Shaun MacDonald broke his leg in the game against Stoke City on 31 October, and was out until the new year; and Kieran Sadlier suffered an ankle injury in the game against Preston the following Saturday, keeping him side-lined for three months.^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

In the run-up to Christmas, the club were hit by an outbreak of COVID-19, causing the postponements of the planned games against Derby County and Middlesbrough.^{[8] [9]} They returned to competition on 29 December against Barnsley, under perceived threat of a points deduction if they did not complete the fixture, despite having an "obliterated" squad, and only being able to name six substitutes.^{[10] [11]}

The first scheduled game of 2021, at home against Cardiff City, was called off an hour before kick-off due to snow, adding to the fixture congestion the club would face later in the season.^[12] A week later, Rotherham exited the FA Cup at the first attempt, after a close game with Everton went to extra time, due to FA Cup ties needing to be resolved in a single match this season.^[13]

A waterlogged pitch on 2 February caused the game against Derby County, postponed from December, to be postponed again. This time it was able to take place the following day.^[14] Nine days later, a frozen pitch led to the postponement of the fixture against QPR.^[15]

On 3 March 2021, the club beat Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 at Hillsborough Stadium, despite having Michael Smith sent off (a decision which was later overturned), claiming a first-ever league double over their South Yorkshire rivals.^{[16] [17] [18]}

On 5 March 2021, Rotherham announced a second COVID-19 outbreak at the club, causing the postponement of games against Brentford and Luton Town, the latter of which had already been moved once due to Luton's appearance in the FA Cup fourth round.^[19] On 9 March, further positive COVID-19 tests were announced, and the game against Coventry City was postponed.^[20] At this stage, with the Luton and Coventry games yet to be rescheduled, the club had only one free midweek slot left in the calendar.^[21]

By 8 April 2021, the club faced a run-in which entailed playing ten games in 28 days, including four in nine days between 10 April and 18 April.^[22]

A 1–0 defeat to Brentford in the rearranged game on 27 April 2021 saw Rotherham set an EFL record of 19 single-goal defeats in a season.^[23]

Going into the final game of the season, Rotherham sat two points from safety, needing to win and hope Derby County did not. They led at Cardiff City from the eighth minute of the game, but conceded an equaliser two minutes from the end of normal time.^[24]

Squad statistics

Player statistics

http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2180&teamTabs=statsPlayers with zero appearances have been unused substitutes in one or more games.

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Total		League		FA Cup		EFL Cup		EFL Trophy		Discipline
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Viktor Johansson	21	0	21	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
27	GK		Jamal Blackman	27+1	0	25+1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
31	GK		Josh Vickers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	DF		Billy Jones	3+4	0	3+2	0	0+1	0	0+1	0	0	0	2	0
3	DF		Joe Mattock	13+2	0	12+2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
6	DF		Richard Wood	29+3	2	27+3	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	8	1
15	DF		Clark Robertson	11+5	0	11+5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
18	DF		Trevor Clarke	1+9	0	1+8	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	DF		Wes Harding	43+5	0	41+5	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
20	DF		Michael Ihiekwe	44	2	42	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
21	DF		Angus MacDonald	37+3	1	36+3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	9	1
22	DF		Matthew Olosunde	23+10	1	22+10	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	4	0
23	DF		Curtis Tilt	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
30	DF		Ryan Giles	12+11	2	12+11	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
35	DF		Jake Hull	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	MF		Shaun MacDonald	16+4	0	15+4	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
5	MF		Lewis Wing	18+2	2	18+2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
8	MF		Ben Wiles	37+8	2	36+8	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
11	MF		Chiedozie Ogbene	7+5	0	6+5	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
14	MF		Mickel Miller	6+3	0	6+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
16	MF		Jamie Lindsay	30+7	3	28+7	3	1	0	1	0	0	0	6	0
17	MF		Kieran Sadlier	6+10	1	5+10	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
25	MF		Matt Crooks	35+7	7	34+6	6	1	0	0+1	1	0	0	7	1
26	MF		Daniel Barlaser	30+4	3	29+4	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
28	MF		Florian Jozefzoon	9+16	0	9+15	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	FW		Kyle Vassell	6+8	0	6+6	0	0+1	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0
9	FW		George Hirst	4+28	0	4+27	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
10	FW		Freddie Ladapo	24+19	9	23+19	9	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
24	FW		Michael Smith	36+10	10	34+10	10	1	0	1	0	0	0	8	0
34	FW		Jacob Gratton	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players played for the club this season on loan who returned to their parent club during the season:
Players played for the club this season who were permanently transferred out before the end of the season:
5	DF		Adam Thompson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Goalscorers

http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2180&teamTabs=stats

width=60	Place	width=60	Position	width=60	Nation	width=60	Number	width=150	Name	width=80	Total	width=80	League	width=80	FA Cup	width=80	EFL Cup	width=80	Other
1	FW		24	Michael Smith	10	10	0	0	0
2	FW		10	Freddie Ladapo	9	9	0	0	0
3	MF		25	Matt Crooks	7	6	0	1	0
4	MF		16	Jamie Lindsay	3	3	0	0	0
=	MF		26	Daniel Barlaser	3	3	0	0	0
6	MF		5	Lewis Wing	2	2	0	0	0
=	DF		6	Richard Wood	2	2	0	0	0
=	MF		8	Ben Wiles	2	2	0	0	0
=	DF		20	Michael Ihiekwe	2	2	0	0	0
=	DF		30	Ryan Giles	2	2	0	0	0
11	MF		17	Kieran Sadlier	1	1	0	0	0
=	DF		21	Angus MacDonald	1	1	0	0	0
=	DF		22	Matthew Olosunde	1	0	1	0	0

Pre-season friendlies

Due to the COVID-19 situation meaning fans could not attend games at the time, a full pre-season schedule was not published by the club. The club were involved in a friendly game on 18 August 2020 against Gainsborough Trinity, which ended with a 6–0 victory.^[25] The club also played unadvertised games against Hull City and Doncaster Rovers.^[26]

Competitions

Championship

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Championship.

Matches

The 2020–21 season fixtures were released on 21 August.^[27]

FA Cup

See main article: 2020–21 FA Cup.

The third round draw was made on 30 November, with Premier League and EFL Championship clubs all entering the competition.^[28]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup.

The first round draw was made on 18 August, live on Sky Sports, by Paul Merson.^[29]

Transfers

Transfers in

Date	Pos.	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
5 July 2020					Free transfer	[30]
11 August 2020					Free transfer	[31]
15 August 2020					Free transfer	[32]
20 August 2020					Undisclosed	[33]
2 September 2020					Free transfer	[34]
2 October 2020					Undisclosed	[35]
6 November 2020					Free transfer	[36]

Loans in

Date from	Pos.	Nationality	Name	From	Date until	Ref.
24 August 2020					End of season	[37]
16 September 2020					End of season	[38]
15 October 2020					End of season	[39]
26 January 2021					End of season	[40]
1 February 2021					End of season	[41]

Loans out

Date from	Pos.	Nationality	Name	To	Date until	Ref.
4 August 2020					End of season	[42]
15 September 2020					28 October 2020	[43] [44]
18 September 2020					4 January 2021	[45]
15 October 2020					4 January 2021	[46]
16 October 2020					19 January 2021	[47]
14 January 2021					End of season	[48]
15 January 2021					End of season	[49]
21 January 2021					End of season	[50]
30 January 2021					End of season	[51]
1 February 2021					End of season	[52]
5 March 2021					End of season	[53]

Transfers out

Date	Pos.	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
1 July 2020					Released	[54]
1 July 2020					Released
21 July 2020					Undisclosed	[55]
6 November 2020					Mutual consent	[56]
30 January 2021					Mutual consent	[57] [58]

Notes and References

1. News: Rotherham United history . Football Club History Database.
2. Web site: Salford City 1–1 Rotherham United (4–2 on pens). BBC Sport. 5 September 2020.
3. Web site: Paul Warne: Rotherham United manager signs new deal until 2023. BBC Sport. 15 September 2020.
4. Web site: Rotherham United: Chiedozie Ogbene out for four months following knee surgery. BBC Sport. 7 October 2020.
5. Web site: 'Heart-breaking' injury for Rotherham United defender Clark Robertson. The Yorkshire Post. 22 October 2020.
6. Web site: Shaun MacDonald: Rotherham United midfielder ruled out until new year with broken leg. BBC Sport. 5 November 2020.
7. Web site: Kieran Sadlier: Rotherham United winger out for three months with ankle injury. BBC Sport. 12 November 2020.
8. Web site: Rotherham v Derby off because of Covid. BBC Sport. 19 December 2020.
9. Web site: Covid-19: Rotherham call off Middlesbrough game after more positive tests. BBC Sport. 23 December 2020.
10. Web site: Paul Warne: Rotherham United boss fears 'points deduction' if Barnsley game called off. BBC Sport. 29 December 2020.
11. Web site: In-form Barnsley see off Rotherham. BBC Sport. 29 December 2020.
12. Web site: Rotherham v Cardiff postponed due to snow. BBC Sport. 2 January 2021.
13. Web site: Everton beat Rotherham after extra time. BBC Sport. 9 January 2021.
14. Web site: Rotherham United v Derby County in Championship postponed. BBC Sport. 2 February 2021.
15. Web site: EFL: Postponements in Championship, League One and League Two plus National League. BBC Sport. 13 February 2021.
16. Web site: Ladapo stunner gives Millers win at Owls. BBC Sport. 3 March 2021.
17. Web site: Millers overturn Smith red card and ban. BBC Sport. 5 March 2021.
18. Web site: Sheffield Wednesday 1 v 2 Rotherham. Rotherham United F.C.. 3 March 2021.
19. Web site: Rotherham games off due to Covid-19. BBC Sport. 5 March 2021.
20. Web site: Rotherham United: Millers forced to postpone third Championship match due to Covid-19. BBC Sport. 9 March 2021.
21. Web site: Rotherham's Championship game against Coventry postponed amid Covid-19 outbreak at Millers. Sky Sports. 8 March 2021.
22. Web site: TEN games in 28 days to avoid relegation! Rotherham's epic run to stay in Championship. ESPN. 8 April 2021.
23. Web site: Championship relegation: Derby, Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe set for pivotal day. BBC Sport. 7 May 2021.
24. Web site: Relive the dramatic final day of the Championship & League Two. BBC Sport. 8 May 2021.
25. Web site: Gainsborough Trinity. Gainsborough Trinity official twitter account. 18 August 2020.
26. Web site: Warne's pre-Birmingham team news and an update on Trevor Clarke. Rotherham United F.C.. 24 September 2020.
27. News: Sky Bet Championship fixtures 2020/21 . 21 August 2020 . . 21 August 2020.
28. Web site: Premier League and Championship clubs join Emirates FA Cup After third round Draw . The Football Association . 10 December 2020.
29. News: Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed . 18 August 2020 . . 18 August 2020.
30. News: Mickel is a Miller . 5 July 2020 . . 5 July 2020.
31. News: Millers complete swoop for Sadlier . 11 August 2020 . . 11 August 2020.
32. Web site: Angus MacDonald: Rotherham United sign centre-back on two-year contract. BBC Sport. 15 August 2020.
33. Web site: Wes Harding: Rotherham United sign Birmingham City defender. BBC Sport. 20 August 2020.
34. Web site: Millers boost goalkeeping options with addition of Swedish stopper. Rotherham United F.C.. 2 September 2020.
35. Web site: Dan Barlaser: Rotherham United sign Newcastle United midfielder. BBC Sport. 2 October 2020. 2 October 2020.
36. Web site: READ Josh joins the Millers to bolster goalkeeping department. Rotherham United F.C.. 6 November 2020.
37. Web site: Millers complete loan deal for Chelsea stopper defender. Rotherham United F.C.. 24 August 2020.
38. Web site: Millers land long-term target on loan. Rotherham United F.C.. 16 September 2020.
39. Web site: Millers land Rams winger on loan. Rotherham United F.C.. 15 October 2020.
40. Web site: Millers add left-wing-back on loan. Rotherham United F.C.. 26 January 2021.
41. Web site: Lewis Wing Joins Rotherham United . Middlesbrough FC - Official Site . 1 February 2021.
42. Web site: Carlisle United: Strikers Gavin Reilly & Josh Kayode join. BBC Sport. 4 August 2020.
43. Web site: Jake Hull departs on loan. Rotherham United F.C.. 15 September 2020.
44. Web site: Matlock Town's cup tie with Coalville is back on. Derbyshire Media Co. 28 October 2020.
45. Web site: READ Cooper returns to Gateshead on loan. Rotherham United F.C.. 18 September 2020.
46. Web site: Tilt joins Wigan Athletic on loan . Rotherham United FC . 15 October 2020.
47. Web site: Procs completes Newport switch . Rotherham United FC . 16 October 2020.
48. Web site: Winger Mickel Miller leaves Rotherham United in League One loan deal. Rotherham Advertiser. 14 January 2021.
49. Web site: Vassell joins Fleetwood on loan. Rotherham United F.C.. 15 January 2021.
50. Web site: Billy Jones Rejoins On Loan Until The End Of The Season . Crewe Alexandra - Official Site . 21 January 2021.
51. Web site: Tilt re-joins Wigan Athletic on loan . Rotherham United - Official SIte . 30 January 2021.
52. Web site: Rotherham United striker Jamie Proctor joins Wigan on loan . Yorkshire Post . 1 February 2021.
53. Web site: Hartlepool sign Rotherham's Cooper on loan. https://web.archive.org/web/20210310014151/https://nonleaguedaily.com/hartlepool-sign-rotherhams-cooper-on-loan/. usurped. 10 March 2021. Non League Daily. 5 March 2021. 10 March 2021.
54. Web site: READ | Millers confirm retained list ahead of 2020/21 campaign. www.themillers.co.uk. 24 June 2020.
55. Web site: Jerry Yates: Blackpool sign Rotherham United forward. BBC Sport. 21 July 2020.
56. Web site: READ Long-serving Lewis leaves Millers. Rotherham United F.C.. 6 November 2020.
57. Web site: Thompson departs Millers . Rotherham United - Official SIte . 30 January 2021.
58. Web site: Defender Thompson joins Orient . BBC . 30 January 2021.