Rotherham V Oxford - Spine

I'm off up to the frozen North tomorrow to take in the Millers home game against - coincidentally - one of the teams from my 'patch' - Oxford.
As I had a little family business to deal with up there, the paper kindly allowed me to combine it with a visit to the Don Valley Stadium.
The only other time that I have seen Rotherham play at home was a fixture against Barnet last season on the day Ronnie Moore returned as manager, but even though the home support gave him a warm reception, the atmosphere they could generate in the stadium was restricted by its layout.
Don Valley is a wonderful athletics stadium, but it's not a football ground and the sooner the Millers get their own place the better.
From the press area in the main stand you have to look out over eight or nine lanes of running track and a long jump pit before you spot the players in the far distance. Supporters should be given complimentary binoculars with their tickets! Then again, maybe I'm being harsh as my eyesight isn't what it once was. But I'm certain the home fans would be happier playing in a proper football ground.
Rotherham were unlucky not to gain promotion last season via the play-off final losing 3-2 to Dagenham and Redbridge after beating Aldershot home and away.
In Adam (Alfie) Le Fondre they have the most prolific striker in the division. Alfie scored 30 goals last season and - with 14 so far this term - seems to be on a mission to beat that tally - if the Millers can keep hold of him when the transfer window opens!
Personally, I hope that they do and he gets his just rewards for the effort and loyalty he has given.
Adam's strike partner of last season, Tom Pope, weighed in with five goals last year, but I'm sure that Le Fondre would be the first to acknowledge his contribution. It so often happens that when one striker is scoring for fun, it's because his partner is working hard off the ball to allow him the glory.
Oxford boss Chris Wilder has brought in three new loan players this week; midfielder Paul Wooten (33) from Southampton, striker Steve MacLean (28) from Plymouth, and central defender Ben Futcher () from Bury - a new spine to the team.
I seem to recall that Wilder did something similar last season to give his side the impetuous they needed to take them to the play-off final and promotion. If these new players settle in quickly, it could have the same effect and that is what Wilder will be banking on.
Oxford certainly need to pick things up. They have lost the last three games - shipping eight goals in the process without reply.
Rotherham meanwhile haven't won since beating Accrington 3-2 in mid-October and the home support hasn't seen a victory since the game against Chesterfield in the last week of September. However, they have managed to string several draws together and seem to be finding the net thanks on large part to Le Fondre. I suspect that the end of January and the closing of the transfer window can't come soon enough for Ronnie Moore - and there's still another month and a bit before it opens!
Le Fondre missed Rotherham's mid-week JP Trophy 5-2 home defeat against Huddersfield through illness and the home fans will be hoping it's Oxford who go home feeling sick on Saturday evening.
I predict a 1-0 win for the team from the warmer climate in the south.