A WEEK ago, it was the football club starting to unravel. Yesterday, it was the season itself, and the play-off chances in particular, which fell apart.

Rather cruelly, one has to say. Cruel because those looking only at the scoreline may idly reckon, in view of all what's going on, all the uncertainty and speculation, that the towel went in.

It didn't. But it all seems so pointless now to say that, at 1-1 with 10 minutes left, it was anybody's game and Rotherham were enjoying slightly the better of it.

But, a game they could not afford to lose, was eventually lost to a substitute playing for the first time since a serious knee injury six months ago who demonstrated a class of finishing that those who aspire in Millers striking ranks should note.

Chris Dagnall had a look about him the moment he started to get involved after his 68th minute introduction. A goal from him had an inevitability about it. No-one could have foreseen a hat-trick in the final 10 minutes!

What did you think of the game? Post your comment below.

Rotherham really had to win to keep convincing themselves and put some positivity in among the negativity surrounding administration. But Rochdale, with three games in hand and all at home, are now in the play-off driving seat.

The more chilling effect for Rotherham what was it really means and what the administrator does before Thursday's transfer deadline. He's on the horns of a dilemma.

Mark Robins said on Saturday that the administrator told him last week no one would be leaving – and Robins then added the word "yet".

But if Rotherham had won yesterday, the play-offs would still have been viable and offloading players would have been damaging if not foolish.

But, doing so now - whatever the financial essentials - would send the message that the play-off bid is over. What would be saved on wages would thus be lost through the gate because attendances would drop.

Keep everyone, you don't save any money but you're almost certainly not going to make the play-offs anyway.

Whatever the decision... gaining on the swings and losing on the roundabouts springs to mind.

The Millers could have helped themselves but really have failed in this second half of the season (Chesterfield apart) when they have had a crunch game against one of their competitors.

Indeed, things had started to slide before all this administration business reared its head.

From the night they succumbed at Peterborough at the end of January, the team has plummeted downwards and nine points from the last 13 games means any crumbs of comfort are difficult to find.

I could find some from yesterday up to the last 10 minutes.
More on next page.


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