Old frailties show in front of goal as Rotherham United slip to defeat against Luton Town

The alarm bells might be ringing for Rotherham after a disappointing night against Luton.
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After a promising start to the season, in terms of performances at least, it is all beginning to look a bit familiar for them at this level.

The longer the campaign goes on, the more old frailties show as they lacked any real goalscoring threat in a 1-0 loss to the Hatters.

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The Millers had good moments, but never truly looked like scoring and were eventually undone at the other end against an opponent who are expected to be in and around them in the table.

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)Rotherham United manager Paul Warne. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

It is the same old story that has dogged them for what seems forever in the Championship.

James Collins' 70th-minute goal proved decisive, but in truth it could have been a far more handsome victory for the visitors.

They have now lost five of their opening 10 games, scoring just eight times and news of Sheffield Wednesday's partial points reprieve will not have been welcomed on this side of the M1 as they look nervously over their shoulders at the standings.

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If Paul Warne's men were going to win this game then they had to go in front during the first period where they were the better team.

Jamie Lindsay, the derby-day hero against Wednesday seven days ago, almost produced again as he was twice denied by Hatters goalkeeper Simon Sluga.

The first was a curling effort bound for the top corner before seeing a shot heading for the other corner kept out again.

Michael Smith, struggling for rhythm so far this season, had two sights of goal but he hit a scuffed effort straight at Sluga, who also kept out a weak header.

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From then on, there was only going to be one winner as Luton racked up the chances.

Millers stopper Jamal Blackman produced a fine save to deny George Moncur just before half-time before denying Luke Berry with a brilliant stop not long after the restart.

Collins somehow missed from a yard out as Luton got in down the left, but he made amends 20 minutes before the end.

He stole in at the near post to convert Berry's free-kick and deservedly put his side in front.

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Luton could have made it a more comfortable finish but Moncur fluffed his lines when through on goal and then Berry was denied by the post.

Rotherham, worryingly, offered nothing in response, to leave their supporters heading into lockdown feeling even more glum.

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