For the first time this season we spoke to Stuart Rayner, The Yorkshire Post's Chief Football Writer, to discuss Sunderland vs Rotherham - a clash between two sides yet to find a Championship win...
We're 21st, but Rotherham are only above us by a point at 20th. How have they started the season?
For starters, no one should ever look at the league table in August - there's not enough games even for a form table yet! But like Sunderland, Rotherham's matches have been skewed by red cards. It seems like the Millers were outclassed at Stoke City but they were 2-0 up at home to Blackburn Rovers when Fred Onyedinma was sent off, and ended up drawing 2-2.
Who has been their most dangerous player?
Hakeem Odoffin continued last season's habit of scoring good goals from midfield last week and Ollie Rathbone is a quality midfielder too. Others will need time to settle or, in Ben Wiles' case, scrape off the rust after a long injury.
Which Sunderland player can cause Rotherham some damage?
If Alex Pritchard is on his game, he can always cause problems.
What are your thoughts on Millers boss Matt Taylor?
A realist first and foremost. He knows what Rotherham are and what they are not and tries to cut his cloth accordingly. He won't get carried away by one good win or a big defeat.
Rotherham lost Chiedozie Ogbene to Luton in the summer, how big of a miss has he been so far?
He was a top player so he will obviously be missed. Fred Onyedinma coming the other way on loan might lessen the damage but not on Saturday, as he is suspended.
What is the team's biggest weakness?
Ever since Michael Smith left for Sheffield Wednesday the previous summer they have been looking for a reliable goalscorer. Jordan Hugill got five in 20 games after joining in January and is a good target man, but they will need others to chip in too.
Do you think they'll beat the drop this season?
Yes, but I think they'll be in the fight all the way to the end. On their budget and with only 12 months of consecutive Championship football behind them, you would take consolidation, I think, with the division looking so strong this season.
Based on our start, where do you think Sunderland will finish this Championship campaign?
I wouldn't base it on your start, I'd base it on whether you can sign some strikers in the next couple of weeks. If so, I'd expect a strong top-half finish.
