Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham: Inside track on the Millers

We spoke with David Beddows, Millers reporter for the Rotherham Advertiser to get an insider's take on Salop's opponents...

Rotherham have bounced back from their relegation to League One very well, what's been behind that?

Some canny recruitment last summer was the start. Paul Warne has brought the average age of the squad down and the new men have blended well with the best of the side which crashed out of the Championship.

Warne has helped foster a terrific team spirit and given Rotherham an identity again.

He’s served the club as player and coach and knows what makes the club and its supporters tick, as do his staff.

Who are the key men Shrewsbury Town will be worried about?

Michael Smith came in halfway through the season from Bury. He’s big, strong, full of running and a good focal point for the attack.

Will Vaulks, the Player of the Year, can play in various positions and has a heck of a shot on him. Watch out for his somersault if he scores on Sunday.

Winger Joe Newell ghosts past people, he’s in the best form of his career here.

How do you expect the Millers to shape up at Wembley - what's the expected XI?

That would be telling! They played a 4-1-4-1 in the play-off semi-finals but are equally comfortable playing with two up front.

Are there any injury worries in the Rotherham ranks?

Apart from long-term absentees Darren Potter and Jamie Proctor, no.

What have you made of Shrewsbury Town over the course of this season? Do you think they have what it takes to stay up in the Championship if they go up?

Paul Hurst has done a terrific job, in my eyes as good as the bosses who have taken Wigan and Blackburn up automatically. Shrewsbury are a bit like Rotherham, they can tough it out and they can play.

The Championship? It’s a different beast. It’s also a tough, tough ask for smaller town clubs, as we know from our experiences last season.

It takes a lot of clever thinking and some smart work in the transfer market just to survive but that shouldn’t stop you having a go, Bolton stayed up with only 43 points this season.

Shrewsbury will have to strengthen, as will the Millers.

How about Rotherham, will they be able to hack the second tier of English football if they go up?

The recruitment system, the dressing room atmosphere and the players are all better than before.

They also have recent experience of how unforgiving the Championship is and what it takes to consolidate in it.

I give them a much better fighting chance than in 2016/17.

Your match prediction?

A win for the Millers, of course. I’ll go 2-1.