WANDERERS are back at the UniBol this weekend as they take on Paul Warne’s Rotherham United in League One.

Ian Evatt’s men are third in the league table with 12 points from their opening seven matches following last weekend’s stunning win at Ipswich Town.

Marc Iles caught up with Paul Davis from The Rotherham Advertiser to get the lowdown on the Millers.

What’s the mood like at Rotherham? Is there optimism they can get back up to the Championship?

Rotherham obviously know how to get out of League One because they have done it the last two times they’ve been there. They are a financially well-run club and don’t spend over their means, which makes it difficult to compete with some of the budgets in the Championship.

They have had more than four years of Paul Warne now - he is a great bloke and a really good man manager. Within those four years, the football side developed into a really good set-up. Although they won’t be the biggest team in League One, there is some experience of what is required to get out of the division.

And as always with a Paul Warne side, there is a strong work ethic and team bond. This year, I think it is potentially the strongest squad they have had in League One under Warne. It might take a little while to get going but I expect them to keep moving forward.

And what have you made of the start to the season?

Apart from against Fleetwood, the performances have been really good. At Lincoln on Tuesday night, they had 26 chances and the goalkeeper had the game of his life. It should have finished 5-1!

The Fleetwood game was a strange one – they were 2-1 up at half time and ended up losing 4-2. Fleetwood deserved to win but the result could easily have gone the other way. They also lost at Wigan but should have won that game – they were in control for most of it.

Against Sheffield Wednesday, they dominated the first half but missed a penalty and that changed the dynamic of the game. The performance level is there – they just need that last 10 percent.

Michael Smith seems to have started the season strongly. What’s he like?

He has been a magnificent player for Rotherham. They got him on a free transfer from Bury back in January 2018 – what a steal that was! He is a big lad, very mobile, great touch and brilliant link-up play.

The one thing that has always held him back is that his goal record isn’t brilliant, but it is happening for him now – he has got five goals in his last seven games. There was a lot of Championship interest in him in the summer but luckily for Rotherham he is still here.

And what have you made of Bolton so far this season?

I think Bolton are going to be up there as well. I like the manager - he’s done things the right way. He went to a smaller club and learned his trade very quickly.

He came to Bolton at not an easy time - after the takeover it’s not just about managing the club, you have to manage expectations as well. From afar, I think he has handled that side of things really well.

Finally, what is your score prediction?

I think it will be an exciting game – two contrasting styles but two good teams who will really go at each other. Rotherham won’t come for a draw. I’ll go for 1-1.