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In the build up to this quarter final match I decided to take a risk which ultimately didn’t work out. I decided to take a chance, seen as this is a journeyman story, to apply for three other jobs. I did it merely out of interest and to see whether I would even be considered for the position and I did go into it knowing I wouldn’t get the jobs. I applied for the job at Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and AFC Fiorentina. With my reputation still being at the regional stage there wasn’t a cat in hells chance that I would get given the job. However, it was pleasing to see all three clubs state they were flattered by my interest in their vacant managerial role. In the end all three clubs rejected my application and employed more reputable managers...who can blame them. Of course the board of directors at Rotherham weren’t too pleased but they appear to be sticking with me, which is probably down to the fact we sit top of the league and are in the third round of the FA Cup. I will eventually leave Rotherham United, no matter where we are in terms of league and cup competitions, at some point...it just won’t be right now.
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We went into this game as underdogs purely because we were the away team. We weren’t given a chance in the media or by the bookies and were expected to fall at the quarter final stage. Despite my eagerness to perform better in the league the cup competitions, you can imagine my delight when we came away with the one nil win. It was a close fought game, but with my side setting out in a 4-5-1 counter attacking formation, we managed to control possession and have a few shots on goal on the counter.
The only goal of the game came from a corner which Grant Hall thankfully nodded past the goalkeeper. The best part of the goal was that it was so late in the game and it seemed to put an end to any chance that Doncaster had of progressing to the next round as they then didn’t have another shot on goal in the remaining eight minutes. The goal was made even more crucial as it was our only shot on target the whole game, which would suggest we didn’t deserve to win but we played the better of the two sides...but of course I could just be being biased.
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Once the game was over I took time to look at the history of Rotherham United and found that they have won next to nothing in their history. I had said in an earlier post that if we reached the semi final stage then I would take the competition seriously. Now with the added incentive of bringing the first trophy to the club since 1996 (not including my League Two win last season) I am definitely going to be sticking by my word and will be heading into the semi final game with the intention of winning and getting to the final. It just so happens that the last domestic cup trophy win that the Rotherham United fans experienced was the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy so it is pretty much written for us to win it now my mindset going into the next round has changed full circle.
