Philogene and Ohio the match winners - but this was a massive win for City
Rotherham may have only won 3 games all season, but they made the Tigers work hard for their victory at the New York Stadium. Here are my three takeaways from the game…
Fans of clubs up and down the land will no doubt have seen Jaden Philogene’s outrageous goal (it was his goal, before anyone starts. I don’t care what anyone says). There was more to the victory, though - and having experienced an amazing away end last night, these are my takeaway thoughts after getting three valuable points on the road.
All the players deserve credit, as well as the manager.
“Rosey, sort it out - Rosey, Rosey sort it out” rang out from the away end in the second half as it looked like City may not find a way through a stubborn Rotherham defence (and an outstanding goalkeeper in Viktor Johansson).
Unlike on Saturday last, Liam Rosenior made the correct substitutions. Tufan and Ohio changed the game - it took only 3 minutes after the introduction of the pair for the Tigers to draw level. We looked a threat in the second half especially, but the cutting edge that was missing prior to the pair coming on was most definitely there for the last 20-25 minutes.
Little things like Lewie Coyle not celebrating Philogene’s goal, but sprinting and getting the ball out of the net to restart the game to score again should be appreciated by the City faithful. This could have been a disaster - but sheer will, determination and hard work from the whole group ensured that it wasn’t.
Philogene’s goal doesn’t happen without Tufan.
Having been perhaps harshly dropped to the bench for the Rotherham game, it was clear that he wanted to force himself back into the team for Huddersfield away rather than sulk and feel hard done by.
His pressing to put the Rotherham player under pressure is key to Philogene’s goal (why Oliver Rathbone didn’t just launch the ball forward, I’ll never know).
Tufan didn’t give up or strop, as he could easily have done. He worked hard to force the mistake, and inadvertently assisted in the most ridiculous goal you’ll see for a long, long time.
Big away followings cannot be underestimated.
I really felt for Anass Zaroury. He didn’t have a particularly good first half, but in the second half he messed up everything he tried to do. Misplaced passes, missed control - anything t he tried just didn’t happen.
However frustrated the City faithful were with the on-loan Burnley forward, it didn’t show as he walked off dejected in front of the away fans. They applauded Zaroury and shouted encouragement - something he was clearly in need of, with his confidence being at an all time low.
Those close to 2,200 City fans had a massive contribution to that win last night. They may have been frustrated for long periods, but the scenes when we finally broke through and then went on were truly special and I felt privileged to be in that away end.
(Picture off Twitter - please message for credit!)
Let’s hope that this win is backed up on Saturday.
Up the Tigers!