How Rotherham United's manic fixture schedule hit supporters as well as players

The Millers and their Championship rivals have been able to pause and catch their breath during the four-week shutdown for the World Cup before a return to action on December 10.

But Taylor’s weary men had to negotiate a breakneck schedule of nine matches in 28 days in the build-up to their well-earned rest.

“It’s the punters who are losing out,” the boss said. “They’re paying their hard-earned money to come and watch fatigued players who aren’t at their physical peak.

“It’s impossible to keep players at their peak when there are so many games.”

At one stage, the Millers had seven members of their squad on the treatment table and Taylor believes the welfare of players is being placed in jeopardy by the demands of relentless Saturday-midweek-Saturday fixtures.

“I think there is an issue,” he said. “How that gets investigated I don’t know. It’s apparent there’s a problem because of how many injuries we and other teams in the league are picking up.

“It’s a problem that runs right through the Championship. There have been very few instances in my time at this club where supporters have really been able to see the best of their team, the best of the opposition team and the best of what the division has to show.”

As arguably the smallest club in the second tier, Rotherham have suffered more than most in the second tier, Taylor reckons.

“The issue is offset slightly at the bigger teams because they have got bigger budgets and bigger squads,” he said.

The Millers barely set foot on the pitches at their Roundwood base as they were stretched to their limit in October and early November.

At the time, Taylor said: “The schedule has turned us into what we are. We haven’t over-trained. We’ve tried to wrap the players in cotton wool.

“Nearly every injury we’ve been picking up us of a similar type and caused by overuse, overuse, overuse.

“So many games is too big an ask for the players, hence why bodies are unfortunately breaking.”