Match preview: Rotherham v Wednesday

28 August 2019

Sheffield Wednesday’s attention turns to the Carabao Cup this evening when they travel to Rotherham.

The second round clash at the New York Stadium is set for a 7.45pm kick-off.

The hosts this evening have played three games in League One so far this season, winning two away from home at AFC Wimbledon (1-2) and Burton (0-1), and slipping to defeat at home to Lincoln (0-2).

Paul Warne’s side inflicted a heavy 4-0 defeat on Shrewsbury in round one of the EFL Cup.

The Owls make the short journey on Wednesday afternoon looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at Preston on Saturday.

Team news

SWFC: Lee Bullen says he will make changes for tonight’s cup clash.

During the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, he told the media: “There will be changes and it’s only right. We want to have a look at players because ultimately, we need to know in a competitive environment where they are at, where they are up to.

“They need to be up to match pace if we need them in future games. The aim is to go and win the game, of course, but the bigger picture is making sure everyone is as ready to go as possible for future fixtures.”

Defender David Bates could make his debut this evening while Massimo Luongo will be pushing for his first start in Wednesday colours.

Rotherham: Matt Olosunde (Achilles) could come back into contention for the Millers tonight.

Billy Jones (foot) and Trevor Clarke (knee) are unlikely to feature.

Match format

Should the score be level at the full time whistle, the game will go straight to a penalty shootout to decide who will advance to round three.

Supporter safety information from Rotherham United:

"Rotherham would like to welcome all Owls fans attending the AESSEAL New York Stadium this evening.

In order to create a safe event for everyone attending, there will be detection dogs on duty in and around the stadium.

Anyone found entering the stadium with banned items will face further sanctions. Amnesty bins will be positioned outside of the stadium.

There are very few pubs in the town centre designated for away supporters. There are internal bars at the stadium that will be serving hot food and refreshments from 6.30pm.

Alcohol will be served until kick-off and not at half time.

Please ensure you sit in the seat you have been allocated and do not block gangways as this can create dangerous situations.

On the previous visit to NYS in February, Sheffield Wednesday supporters were very helpful in ensuring this did not happen and hence we were able to offer the same, full allocation again.

We would like to thank all supporters for their co-operation in advance."

iFollow

Commentary from Rob O’Neill and former Owls striker John Pearson will be available to iFollow subscribers worldwide.

Supporters should note there will be no live stream of Carabao Cup fixtures on iFollow.

Our most recent clash with Rotherham – 16 February 2019

Last five v Rotherham

Rotherham 2-2 Owls – 16 April 2019 – Championship
Owls 2-2 Rotherham – 8 Dec 2018 – Championship
Rotherham 0-2 Owls – 4 April 2017 – Championship (pictured)
Owls 1-0 Rotherham – 17 Dec 2016 – Championship
Owls 0-1 Rotherham – 5 March 2016 – Championship

Match Reports

Report: Rotherham 0-1 Wednesday

28 August 2019

Atdhe Nuhiu added to the list of late goals the Owls have poached at Rotherham when his last-gasp strike sent Wednesday through to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

A relatively even contest seemed destined for penalties until Nuhiu intervened with 96 minutes on the clock, sweeping home to give the Owls the edge once more over the Millers.

Nuhiu put his name alongside Kieran Lee and Dominic Iorfa from recent seasons to break Rotherham hearts with the curtain coming down at the New York Stadium.

There was little to separate the South Yorkshire rivals until the late drama, with both goalkeepers and the defenders in front standing firm.

When openings did arrive, they were stopped or missed, before Nuhiu had the final say with a clinical hit.

Lee Bullen shuffled his pack, making nine changes from Saturday’s trip to Preston, while the Millers were unchanged following their last league encounter at Burton two weeks ago.

And the full strength hosts were first to show when Freddie Ladapo drilled a well-worked corner narrowly wide and that prompted a mini period of home pressure.

Cameron Dawson was untroubled, though, and that might have spelled danger for Paul Warne’s side when Nuhiu was on the end of an Iorfa cross but Daniel Iversen smothered the big man’s header.

Rotherham replied with Ben Wiles slicing past the post from distance before there were chances at both ends inside a minute.

First, Jordan Rhodes headed into the grateful arms of Iversen from a whipped-in Morgan Fox delivery, then Ladapo prodded Michael Smith’s knockdown wide from 10 yards.

With half time looming Jacob Murphy had a fierce shot charged down by ex-Owl Richard Wood and Dawson was forced into a flying save by Smith to keep the score goalless.

The cup contest needed a spark after the break and the dangerous Smith almost provided it but was a whisker away from Matt Crooks’ driven feed.

Fox then thwarted Wiles at the last with a terrific sliding tackle as the midfield man was about to pull the trigger from close range.

Undaunted, the Owls motored upfield and Iversen denied Nuhiu on the angle after the striker evaded his marker and unleashed on goal.

The action was hotting up, with Dawson denying Wiles at his near post, while the impact of substitutes Kadeem Harris and Barry Bannan was more and more telling.

And Harris was the architect as Wednesday so nearly broke the deadlock nine minutes from time. The wideman sent a delicious cross right into the mix and Fox was inches off target with a powerful header.

But deep into stoppage time, the breakthrough finally came and it was no surprise to see Harris at the heart, sending an inviting ball to the back stick where Nuhiu stabbed high into the net.

Wednesday: Dawson, Iorfa, Bates, Thorniley, Fox, Murphy (Bannan 65), Pelupessy (Forestieri 76), Luongo, Winnall (Harris 46), Nuhiu, Rhodes

Match Reports

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