"Ugly football" - Big Rotherham United issue raised amid Steve Evans struggles | OneFootball

FLW's Millers fan pundit has raised his biggest concern surrounding the club at the moment

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Rotherham United's return to League One has been far from ideal.

Despite enduring the most dim of Championship seasons, which saw the Millers effectively resigned to relegation way before the conclusion of the campaign, there was hope that the re-appointment of Steve Evans would bring an immediate shift in mentality and results at the New York Stadium.

However, three months into the third tier campaign, and the club who have gained four promotions out of the division since 2014 are currently languishing in mid-table.

With a side that includes a wealth of experience at this level, Football League World put the question forward to our Reds fan pundit, Tom Eyre, as to what he believes is the biggest issue surrounding the South Yorkshire outfit at this moment in time.

Rotherham United fan pundit identifies style of play as a major issue

Rotherham have become notorious as a side which has so often ground out results in order to become a successful team in recent seasons.

However, given the toxic atmosphere which has continued to foster after relegation from the second tier, Eyre believes it is time for a change in play-style, but has noted that this can't be seen as an overnight fix.

"The biggest issue at our club is the style of football," our fan pundit began. "It's easily the style of football and the toxicity that's enveloped around the club right now."

"And, that comes from playing bad football," he continued. "Look, wins mean one thing, style of football means another thing. If we win games by playing ugly football, then so be it."

"But, because we're playing ugly football and not winning games, the fans are really getting on the manager, the chairman and the team," Eyre stated.

"So, the biggest issue right now, I'd have to say, is something which is going to take time to change and be able to really develop the style of play which Steve Evans has been known for."

"That's high-pressing, winning balls further up the field, being aggressive, strong and pacy."

Steve Evans has continued to earn support of Rotherham United hierarchy despite poor run of form

Rotherham's recent wretched run has been made no secret, with the atmosphere which Eyre referenced in full swing as Evans' side lost 2-0 to South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley last Friday.

Despite having the likes of Jonson Clarke-Harris, who has a current record of 111 goals in 290 League One appearances to his name, as well as Sam Nombe and Mallik Wilks - who registered 27 goal contributions as Hull City secured the third tier title back in 2021 - on their books, there has been a distinct lack of end product from the Millers in their opening 15 games.

This has been reflected by statistics such as the averaging of just 0.9 goals per game and the missing of 1.5 big chances per game, when only 2.1 have been created on average since August.

Furthermore, the Millers have also started to lose their defensive solidity which has served them so well in previous League One campaigns, keeping just one clean sheet and conceding 1.3 goals per game.

Therefore, it is understandable in some ways that the pressure has mounted on the Scottish boss. But, despite that, he has continued to earn the full trust of Tony Stewart.

“We discussed the previous night and our run of form. The chairman wants to see an upturn in performances first and foremost. He talks about performances because he's a wholehearted believer in ‘performances right, results right'," Evans told the Rotherham Advertiser.

“He said: ‘I believe in you. I saw what happened the first time you were here. Get this oil tanker moving in the right direction.’

Whilst Evans will be glad that the chairman has afforded him the time to turn the tide, supporters will no doubt raise concerns over the current identity of their side if results aren't to improve drastically.