ROTHERHAM United are striving to get the Don Valley Stadium pitch up to scratch in time for the new season on August 9.
Since the club's move there, manager Mark Robins has insisted they try and prepare the best possible surface on which to play football.
The condition of it for their first game last Saturday brought criticism from Derby County manager Paul Jewell who described it as "a shocker" but Robins said they were working hard to get a better surface.
"We had 60 tons of sand put on it but it 'killed' the pitch really and it is something we are addressing," said Robins.
"The pitch was better than it was previously but it will get a real watering and we want to improve the drainage and get it levelled. A hell of a lot of work has been done there already.
"The wind was a problem too and it all made it a great leveller and I can't believe that we were talking about the weather and the effects of the wind in the middle of July.
"It's given us food for thought but we have to deal with it and get on with it. That's where we are going to be playing," added Robins.
"We'll get the water on to settle it down and this is why we are playing five pre-season games on it so that it helps us get used to it.
"Aesthetically, it looked great but it could lure others into a false sense of security. I hope we can train on it because the more we are used to it then we have an advantage. Millmoor had its slope although that could sometimes work against us and we have to gain every advantage we can at Don Valley."
The Millers, after Saturday's goalless draw against Derby, will be in action there again tonight when they face Scunthorpe United. They entertain Barnsley there on Saturday.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MOREClick here to read the match report and to see exclusive video highlights of the matchClick here to see more pictures of Sheffield FC v Rotherham United Normally, any man spotted skulking around Merseyside sporting day-glo pink trousers could earn himself a stern word or two: CLICK HERE TO READ JAMES SHIELD ON THE BRITISH OPEN Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 428 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
