The Game
Rotherham United v Argyle. AESSEAL New York Stadium. Saturday, 28 February. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Rotherham are 23rd in League One, with 31 points from their 32 games. This puts them five points behind Leyton Orient, in 20th place, which is just above the relegation zone.
Rotherham won their opening game of the season, 2-1 at home to Port Vale, but they would only win once more before the end of September (1-0 at home to Exeter City), losing six and drawing two of their other league games.
October signalled an upturn in form. The Millers went eight unbeaten, winning four of the first five in that sequence, but from December things took a downward turn. Rotherham lost seven league games in a row, scoring only four goals in the process.
There was a mini-revival in late January. A draw at home to Wimbledon was followed by victories at home to Northampton Town and away at Exeter (4-0), but Rotherham have lost their last four, beaten by Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City.
The Gaffer
Matt Hamshaw, 44, was born and grew up in Rotherham before joining Sheffield Wednesday’s academy. After breaking into the first-team setup at Wednesday, Hamshaw helped them achieve promotion into the Championship under Paul Sturrock. The midfielder had further spells at Stockport County, Mansfield Town, Notts County, Macclesfield Town, Matlock Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Upon retiring, Hamshaw became a coach at hometown club Rotherham United, working at academy level. Under Paul Warne, Hamshaw was promoted to first-team coach and remained in that post until both left the club in 2022. He followed Warne to Derby County and remained at Pride Park for over three years. Following Warne’s sacking, Hamshaw took on the role of caretaker manager at Derby until John Eustace was appointed. Shortly after this, he departed the Rams, but was back in management after just a month.
When Steve Evans was sacked by Rotherham in March, Hamshaw was appointed manager on an interim basis, later receiving the job permanently.
The Squad
With 31 starts, no-one has played more minutes for Rotherham this season than goalkeeper Cameron Dawson. Dawson was once a Pilgrim, although never played for Argyle, having a loan spell from Sheffield Wednesday, but only asking as a backup goalkeeper. That was in 2014; after that, Dawson played over 100 times for Wednesday, and had several other loans out, including a season at Exeter City, before moving to Rotherham in 2024.
Sam Nombe (below) is Rotherham’s leading goalscorer, despite having only started 11 games, coming on as a substitute in a further six. He has seven goals to his tally, four of which have come in those sub appearances. Nombe began his career with Milton Keynes Dons, having loans with Oxford City, Maidenhead United and Luton Town, before moving to Exeter in 2021. The forward impressed in two seasons at St James Park, heading to Rotherham in the summer of 2023.
Midfielder Joe Powell has played the most outfield minutes of any Rotherham player this season (2,347, from 27 starts). Once of West Ham United, Powell had a loan with Northampton Town, then signed permanently with Burton Albion, spending four years at the Pirelli Stadium, before moving to Rotherham in the summer of 2024.
Previous Meeting
Earlier this season, Argyle beat Rotherham 1-0 at Home Park, with Joe Ralls scoring the only goal of the game.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their black away kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Pre-Match Show, which starts at 2pm, with Erin Black joined by Aaron Cusack. They will then hand over to the stadium for live commentary from Rob McNichol and former Argyle midfielder Lee Makel.
Match passes to watch this game on Argyle TV are available overseas, while the match is available to watch on Sky Sports+ in the UK & Ireland. CLICK HERE for more information.
