FA Cup: Rotherham are hard to shake off

AFCB and Rotherham meet twice in the space of two weeks in the FA Cup and league with both matches at the New York stadium. That might not be the only times that the teams meet though as the Millers are good at hanging in games and I would not be at all surprised if they got a draw in the FA Cup Third Round to take AFCB to a replay at the Goldsands.

Rotherham players at Dean Court earlier this season.

That gritty, never say die attitude of Rotherham has seen them get an extra time goal to get a draw back in September in Bournemouth and that attitude has seen them being able to keep out of the bottom three. While they fell at the second hurdle in the League Cup to Swansea that might have been expected against Premier League opposition, and this FA Cup game gives the Millers plenty of reason to relax and enjoy the experience of going up against another Championship club, knowing that it is not for league points. That could mean that they play with less pressure, but I expect the same kind of hard chasing, defiant and hardworking ethic that is a characteristic of Steve Evans' sides to be maintained. No team has put more than three past Rotherham this season and they are always in games with a chance of getting a draw or more. Three draws in their last five games tells me that Rotherham are another hard side to break down.

It will be a tough assignment for the Cherries on a cold winter's day in January, but the long trip up will bring big rewards if they can get through this tie. Away from home has probably seen the Cherries' best performances as they will be keen to show that there good run in the League Cup was no fluke. The chance to play bigger opposition in the next round awaits one of these teams and it should be a match that shows how important the FA Cup still remains to both sets of supporters.

Rotherham League Home Form
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AFCB Away League Form
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