The Sky Blues travel to the New York Stadium this Saturday as they face Paul Warne’s Rotherham side in Sky Bet League One action. Here is all you need to know about the opposition.

Fact File

Name: Rotherham United

Nickname: The Millers

Founded: 1925

Stadium: New York Stadium

Address: New York Stadium, New York Way, Rotherham, S60 1FJ.

Capacity: 12,021

Pitch Dimensions: 102 x 66

The Opposition

After relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last campaign, Rotherham have started this season with the same amount of victories, defeats and draws.

The Millers have picked up three of each result with their last victory coming on the 14^th of September with a 6-1 home win over Bolton.

Their other two victories have come on the road with wins at AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion.

Over the summer Rotherham lost last seasons ever-presents Semi Ajayi and Will Vaulks to West Brom and Cardiff however summer signings Matthew Olosunde and Shaun MacDonald have both featured in 10 of Rotherham’s 12 games so far this season.

Rotherham also bought in Freddie Ladapo from Plymouth and the forward has started life at his new club well, scoring four goals and chipping in with one assist.

Manager

Paul Warne was appointed as Rotherham caretaker manager in November 2016 after the resignation of Kenny Jackett. It was not until January when Warne was appointed permanent manger until the end of the 2016/17 season. He was then given a one year rolling contract ahead of the 2017/2018 season.

Warne led the club to promotion to the Championship after a play-off final win over Shrewsbury Town however the former Rotherham player was not able to keep the Millers in the division.

Warne began his time in Football as a player making nearly 500 professional league appearances during his time on the pitch, with over half of those coming for Rotherham over two spells at the club.

Warne began his professional career at Wigan Athletic before moving to Rotherham in 1999 where he spent six years making 232 league appearances and scoring 28 goals.

He then spent two years consecutively at Oldham Athletic and Yeovil Town before moving back to Rotherham in 2009 before he hung up his playing boots in 2012.

Last Six Games

Lost- Bristol Rovers 1-0 Rotherham United

Drew- Rotherham United 0-0 Shrewsbury Town

Drew- Sunderland 1-1 Rotherham United

Won- Rotherham United 6-1 Bolton Wanderers

Lost- Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Rotherham United

Drew- Rotherham United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

Last Time We Met

The last meeting between the two clubs came on New Years Day 2014, as the Sky Blues visited a Rotherham side sitting pretty in the final League One play off place. Coventry were enjoying a fruitful season also and would’ve been in 5^th position themselves if it wasn’t for a ten-point deduction inflicted on them before the start of the season.

The home side had the better of the first half and went in at the break a goal up thanks to a deflected Joe Skarz effort. The Sky Blues emerged a different animal for the second half and Carl Baker levelled from the spot as home captain Craig Morgan was given his marching orders for his challenge on Callum Wilson.

Franck Moussa headed the Sky Blues in front on 85 minutes, before Michael O’Connor had a golden opportunity to equalise from the spot, but saw his kick saved by ‘keeper Joe Murphy.

A head injury to Conor Thomas resulted in 14 minutes of additional time, and in the last of these, Sky Blues captain Carl Baker found the unguarded net from his own half after Millers ‘keeper Adam Collin had gone forward to attack a corner.

The game was bitter-sweet for the Sky Blues, as the win left them just 6 points outside the play off places however, a serious injury to Callum Wilson tarred an otherwise excellent afternoon for the Sky Blues.

Head to Head

Coventry wins: 11

Draws: 6

Rotherham wins: 7

Club Connections

Richard Wood

Central defender Richard Wood has appeared six times for the Millers so far this season and began his time at the New York Stadium in 2014. Since joining the club, Wood has had loan spells at Crawley Town, Fleetwood Town and Chesterfield.

Wood began his professional career at Sheffield Wednesday and made his debut during the 2002/03 season scoring a goal against Burnley on his full debut. During his seven years at the club. Wood made nearly 200 league appearances and was appointed joint captain prior to the 2008/09 season.

After having his transfer request turned down by Wednesday, Wood joined the Sky Blues on loan in 2009 before making his move permanent in 2010. During his three years at the club Wood made over 100 appearances for City scoring seven goals, one of which coming against his former club in a game he captained the side.

Jonson Clarke-Harris

Clarke-Harris began his career with the Sky Blues and was offered a scholarship from the Academy. He made his professional debut in a League Cup game against Morecambe in 2010 which made him the youngest player to appear for the Sky Blues.

After Clarke-Harris’ scholarship ended it was announced that he would not receive a professional contract and the forward left the club moving to Peterborough. During his one year at the club, he had loan spells at Southend United and Bury, before moving to Oldham Athletic in 2013 on a permanent deal.

After one season at Oldham, Clarke-Harris joined Rotherham United and was at the club for four years which included three loan spells in the process.

He re-joined the Sky Blues on loan in January 2018 before making the move permeant in the summer. Last season Clarke-Harris featured 27 times in the league scoring five goals before joining Bristol Rovers on 31^st January 2019 where he still plays his football.

Match Officials

Darren Handley will be the man with the whistle when City travel to Rotherham. This season, Handley has officiated in: one League One game; four League Two games and one Leasing.com Trophy game.

In those games, Handley has shown 27 yellow cards and two reds.

He will be assisted by Danny Gratton and Paul Graham, while Andrew Dallison will act as fourth official.

Sky Bet Odds:

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