Rotherham United boss Matt Taylor on selection and the fight for places

HAKEEM Odoffin hadn't started a league match in six months when Matt Taylor took over at Rotherham United.

Yet the midfielder was the first player to catch the eye of the new manager who'd just swapped life in charge of Exeter City for the Millers hot-seat.

“Haks wasn't really part of the first-team squad but he was still our best trainer,” the boss recalled. “That's a sign of what he stands for.”

Within three games Odoffin was in the 11.

Taylor, a former centre-half, holds no prejudices when it comes to picking his side: if your attitude is right and he thinks you can do a better job than anyone else, you're in.

And if you're not in, the manager is happy to tell you why.

“I like players to come and knock on my door,” he said. “I like them to feel comfortable in doing that. I've been there as a player myself.

“I'll give them as honest an answer as I can possibly give them. We don't always agree, and that's absolutely fine. But they need to know who's ahead of them and why.

“They need to know why I'm thinking certain things in terms of formation and/or personnel and whether those thoughts are opposition-dependent or related to the load remaining for the rest of the season.”

Prior to Taylor's October 4 arrival, Odoffin's last experience of the Rotherham starting line-up had come in a League One encounter at Shrewsbury Town back on March 1.

By October 18 he was impressing in the Championship as one of the starters in that memorable, backs-to-the-wall 1-0 triumph at Stoke City and has been a regular pick ever since.

What happens at Roundwood, as Odoffin discovered to his advantage, plays a significant part in the boss's thinking.

“The media and fans see the games. I see the players every day in terms of training,” Taylor said.

“We've got a hungry group at the moment. Twenty-plus players are vying for 11 starting positions and another seven spots on the bench.

“Competition for places drives standards. You want that as a manager. You want something to rest on every moment of every single day. That's where what players do in training goes into selection.”

The Millers are seeking to stay in the Championship after failed attempts in 2017, 2019 and 2021 and boosted their numbers and survival prospects in the January transfer window by making seven signings, all of whom have played at second-tier level or above.

It's all about the squad, not the team.

“Everyone has to be ready to contribute,” Taylor said. “We've all got the same aim and we'll have a lot better chance of achieving it if we're all in it together.

“The reward for us at the end of the season would be to do something we haven't done in recent times.

“I think the players can see with the results we've had recently what we're trying to build here and they want to be part of something.

“I'm seeing no signs of discomfort or dissent. I can't fault the hunger of the group and I expect that hunger to continue.

“People will get their chance. We'll pick up injuries, we'll pick up suspensions, form will change. If you take your opportunity, you'll keep your shirt.”

Odoffin will testify to that. No starts for half a year, then eight in a row before coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute against Sunderland on Tuesday.

“Haks is a really good character,” Taylor said. “He wasn't in the mix but he stuck at, worked hard and believed in himself.

“You learn the most about people when they're not playing.”