The lowdown on Peterborough United v Rotherham United including squeaky bums and a huge difference in forward power

‘The Millers’ boss has overseen just one win in the last eight League One games and his side are two places and five points from safety with just 10 games to go, starting at Peterborough United on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick off).

It’s been a rough three seasons for Rotherham. Relegation from the Championship has been followed by two years of struggle in League One.

But Hamshaw told the Rotherham Advertiser: “There's nearly a quarter of the season to go, so there's still a lot of games for us.

“Look, it's going to get to squeaky-bum time, isn't it? It's going to get nervy, the fans are going to get a little bit edgy. I understand that it's been horrific here for the last three years. I understand the frustration.

“You can't fault our effort, enthusiasm and endeavour, but we have to be cuter and better in certain areas.”

INJURY NEWS

Current Rotherham absentees are Kian Spence, Shaun McWilliams, Dru Yearwood, Marvin Kaleta, Hamish Douglas, Josh Kayode, Denzel Hall and Jordan Hugill. Rotherham are sweating on the fitness of star midfielder Dan Gore, who is on loan from Manchester United, ahead of tomorrow’s match.

TEAM NEWS

There will be a considerable difference in striker firepower tomorrow. Posh will choose between two strikers with one Football League start between them, whereas Rotherham have Sam Nombe and Duncan Watmore available. Rotherham paid Exeter City £1 million for Nombe in August 2023. He’s scored 70 career goals in over 250 senior appearances. Watmore has scored goals for Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Millwall in his near-200 game career. Rotherham picked him up as an out of contract player following his release from Millwall last summer.

‘The Millers’ also have 17 year-old forward Harry Gray on loan from Leeds United. He’s the younger brother of Spurs star Archie Gray.

Tomorrow’s visitors have several youngsters in their squad, but they also have experience in the shape of midfielder Joe Powell and defender Joe Rafferty.

FORM GUIDE

Rotherham have picked up the fewest away points (11) of any League One team this season. They have won three times on the road though at Northampton Town, Barnsley and Exeter City. Rotherham have scored just 13 goals in their 17 away games.

PAST MATCHES

This match delivered a thrilling 3-3 draw last season as Posh came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with a team then managed by Steve Evans. James Dornelly scored his first senior Posh goal in that game before the point was rescued by a second-half own goal and a Manny Fernandez header. Joe Rafferty has scored own goals for Posh in the last two meetings with Rotherham.

Posh have won eight and lost six of 14 Football League meetings with Rotherham at London Road.

Posh last won this game in the Covid promotion season of 2020-21 when early goals from Ivan Toney and Sammie Szmodics set up a 2-1 win.

Rotherham last won this fixture in their League One promotion season of 2013-14, under the management of Evans, courtesy of a Kieran Agard penalty.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Matthew Russell referees Posh v Rotherham. He was in charge of Posh 3, Stockport 0 earlier this season.

BIG MATCH ODDS

Posh are 13-10 to win tomorrow with Sky Bet. Rotherham are 13-8 and the draw is 5-2. Posh remain at 50-1 to be relegated. Rotherham are 1-8 to go down!