2020–21 Rotherham United F.C. season

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The **2020–21 season** is Rotherham United's 96th season in their existence and the first back in the Championship following promotion last season. The club also participated in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.

## Key events

The delayed season started for Rotherham on 5 September 2021, with a defeat on penalties in the EFL cup to League 2 side Salford City.

On 15 September, manager Paul Warne and his assistant Richie Barker signed new contracts, keeping them at the club until the summer of 2023.

Rotherham suffered long-term injuries to four key players in the five weeks between 7 October and 12 November. Chiedozie Ogbene required knee surgery, and was ruled out until at least January; Clark Robertson suffered a broken foot, which ruled him out until the end of the winter; Shaun MacDonald broke his leg in the game against Stoke City on 31 October, and was out until the new year; and Kieran Sadlier suffered an ankle injury in the game against Preston the following Saturday, keeping him side-lined for three months.

In the run-up to Christmas, the club were hit by an outbreak of COVID-19, causing the postponements of the planned games against Derby County and Middlesbrough. They returned to competition on 29 December against Barnsley, under perceived threat of a points deduction if they did not complete the fixture, despite having an "obliterated" squad, and only being able to name six substitutes.

The first scheduled game of 2021, at home against Cardiff City, was called off an hour before kick-off due to snow, adding to the fixture congestion the club would face later in the season. A week later, Rotherham exited the FA Cup at the first attempt, after a close game with Everton went to extra time, due to FA Cup ties needing to be resolved in a single match this season.

A waterlogged pitch on 2 February caused the game against Derby County, postponed from December, to be postponed again. This time it was able to take place the following day. Nine days later, a frozen pitch led to the postponement of the fixture against QPR.

On 3 March 2021, the club beat Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 at Hillsborough Stadium, despite having Michael Smith sent off (a decision which was later overturned), claiming a first-ever league double over their South Yorkshire rivals.

On 5 March 2021, Rotherham announced a second COVID-19 outbreak at the club, causing the postponement of games against Brentford and Luton Town, the latter of which had already been moved once due to Luton's appearance in the FA Cup fourth round. On 9 March, further positive COVID-19 tests were announced, and the game against Coventry City was postponed.At this stage, with the Luton and Coventry games yet to be rescheduled, the club had only one free midweek slot left in the calendar.

By 8 April 2021, the club faced a run-in which entailed playing ten games in 28 days, including four in nine days between 10 April and 18 April.

A 1–0 defeat to Brentford in the rearranged game on 27 April 2021 saw Rotherham set an EFL record of 19 single-goal defeats in a season.

Going into the final game of the season, Rotherham sat two points from safety, needing to win and hope Derby County did not. They led at Cardiff City from the eighth minute of the game, but conceded an equaliser two minutes from the end of normal time.

## Players

### Current squad

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### Out on loan

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## Squad statistics

### Player statistics

Template:Updated [1]
Players with zero appearances have been unused substitutes in one or more games.

## Pre-season friendlies

Due to the COVID-19 situation meaning fans could not attend games at the time, a full pre-season schedule was not published by the club. The club were involved in a friendly game on 18 August 2020 against Gainsborough Trinity, which ended with a 6–0 victory. The club also played unadvertised games against Hull City and Doncaster Rovers.

## Competitions

#### Results by matchday

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#### Matches

The 2020–21 season fixtures were released on 21 August.

### FA Cup

Main article: 2020–21 FA Cup

The third round draw was made on 30th November, with Premier League and EFL Championship clubs all entering the competition.

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### EFL Cup

Main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup

The first round draw was made on 18 August, live on Sky Sports, by Paul Merson.

## References

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1. ↑ **Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".**
2. ↑ Salford City 1–1 Rotherham United (4–2 on pens). BBC Sport (5 September 2020).
3. ↑ Paul Warne: Rotherham United manager signs new deal until 2023. BBC Sport (15 September 2020).
4. ↑ Rotherham United: Chiedozie Ogbene out for four months following knee surgery. BBC Sport (7 October 2020).
5. ↑ 'Heart-breaking' injury for Rotherham United defender Clark Robertson. The Yorkshire Post (22 October 2020).
6. ↑ Shaun MacDonald: Rotherham United midfielder ruled out until new year with broken leg. BBC Sport (5 November 2020).
7. ↑ Kieran Sadlier: Rotherham United winger out for three months with ankle injury. BBC Sport (12 November 2020).
8. ↑ Rotherham v Derby off because of Covid. BBC Sport (19 December 2020).
9. ↑ Covid-19: Rotherham call off Middlesbrough game after more positive tests. BBC Sport (23 December 2020).
10. ↑ Paul Warne: Rotherham United boss fears 'points deduction' if Barnsley game called off. BBC Sport (29 December 2020).
11. ↑ In-form Barnsley see off Rotherham. BBC Sport (29 December 2020).
12. ↑ Rotherham v Cardiff postponed due to snow. BBC Sport (2 January 2021).
13. ↑ Everton beat Rotherham after extra time. BBC Sport (9 January 2021).
14. ↑ Rotherham United v Derby County in Championship postponed. BBC Sport (2 February 2021).
15. ↑ EFL: Postponements in Championship, League One and League Two plus National League. BBC Sport (13 February 2021).
16. ↑ Ladapo stunner gives Millers win at Owls. BBC Sport (3 March 2021).
17. ↑ Millers overturn Smith red card and ban. BBC Sport (5 March 2021).
18. ↑ Sheffield Wednesday 1 v 2 Rotherham. Rotherham United F.C. (3 March 2021).
19. ↑ Rotherham games off due to Covid-19. BBC Sport (5 March 2021).
20. ↑ Rotherham United: Millers forced to postpone third Championship match due to Covid-19. BBC Sport (9 March 2021).
21. ↑ Rotherham's Championship game against Coventry postponed amid Covid-19 outbreak at Millers. Sky Sports (8 March 2021).
22. ↑ TEN games in 28 days to avoid relegation! Rotherham's epic run to stay in Championship. ESPN (8 April 2021).
23. ↑ Championship relegation: Derby, Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe set for pivotal day. BBC Sport (7 May 2021).
24. ↑ Relive the dramatic final day of the Championship & League Two. BBC Sport (8 May 2021).
25. ↑ READ | 2020/21 squad numbers confirmed. Rotherham United F.C. (17 October 2020).
26. ↑ Gainsborough Trinity. Gainsborough Trinity official twitter account (18 August 2020).
27. ↑ Warne's pre-Birmingham team news and an update on Trevor Clarke. Rotherham United F.C. (24 September 2020).
28. ↑ **Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".**
29. ↑ Premier League and Championship clubs join Emirates FA Cup After Third Round Draw. The Football Association.
30. ↑ **Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".**
31. ↑ **Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".**
32. ↑ **Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".**
33. ↑ Angus MacDonald: Rotherham United sign centre-back on two-year contract. BBC Sport (15 August 2020).
34. ↑ Wes Harding: Rotherham United sign Birmingham City defender. BBC Sport (20 August 2020).
35. ↑ Millers boost goalkeeping options with addition of Swedish stopper. Rotherham United F.C. (2 September 2020).
36. ↑ Dan Barlaser: Rotherham United sign Newcastle United midfielder. BBC Sport (2 October 2020).
37. ↑ READ | Josh joins the Millers to bolster goalkeeping department. Rotherham United F.C. (6 November 2020).
38. ↑ Millers complete loan deal for Chelsea stopper defender. Rotherham United F.C. (24 August 2020).
39. ↑ Millers land long-term target on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (16 September 2020).
40. ↑ Millers land Rams winger on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (15 October 2020).
41. ↑ Millers add left-wing-back on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (26 January 2021).
42. ↑ Lewis Wing Joins Rotherham United. Middlesbrough FC - Official Site.
43. ↑ Carlisle United: Strikers Gavin Reilly & Josh Kayode join. BBC Sport (4 August 2020).
44. ↑ Jake Hull departs on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (15 September 2020).
45. ↑ Matlock Town's cup tie with Coalville is back on. Derbyshire Media Co (28 October 2020).
46. ↑ READ | Cooper returns to Gateshead on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (18 September 2020).
47. ↑ Tilt joins Wigan Athletic on loan. Rotherham United FC.
48. ↑ Procs completes Newport switch. Rotherham United FC.
49. ↑ Winger Mickel Miller leaves Rotherham United in League One loan deal. Rotherham Advertiser (14 January 2021).
50. ↑ Vassell joins Fleetwood on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (15 January 2021).
51. ↑ Billy Jones Rejoins On Loan Until The End Of The Season. Crewe Alexandra - Official Site.
52. ↑ Tilt re-joins Wigan Athletic on loan. Rotherham United - Official SIte.
53. ↑ Rotherham United striker Jamie Proctor joins Wigan on loan. Yorkshire Post.
54. ↑ Hartlepool sign Rotherham’s Cooper on loan. Non League Daily (5 March 2021).
55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 READ | Millers confirm retained list ahead of 2020/21 campaign.
56. ↑ Jerry Yates: Blackpool sign Rotherham United forward. BBC Sport (21 July 2020).
57. ↑ READ | Long-serving Lewis leaves Millers. Rotherham United F.C. (6 November 2020).
58. ↑ Thompson departs Millers. Rotherham United - Official SIte.
59. ↑ Defender Thompson joins Orient. BBC.
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