Rotherham frustrated as 4-0 thrashing by Blackpool makes it 8 league games without a win

Rotherham have been left frustrated as 4-0 thrashing by Blackpool makes it 8 league games without a win for the Millers.

Ian Evatt’s side extended their unbeaten run to five games, with Josh Bowler, Danny Imray, Ashley Fletcher and Tom Bloxham were all on target after Jamal Baptiste’s red card.

Early goals from Josh Bowler and Danny Imray put the hosts in control, then Ashley Fletcher and Tom Bloxham added further goals to seal a comfortable victory.

The result sees Rotherham sitting 22nd in the League One table, with 24 points from 23 games played, 2 points from safety. Blackpool continue to move up the table, up to 13th with 29 points from 23 games played, 3 points above the drop zone and 8 points from the playoff places.

Hamshaw said: “It was an awful performance with not enough character or leadership – it was just not good enough.

“There were a couple of decent balls in the first half, and they either didn’t make contact or didn’t hit the target. In the second half, a lot happened with the sending off.

“Just disappointed in the body language and the character, I’ve just told the players that.

“Some have had a chat back, and explained it’s not good enough. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but it’s not good enough for this football club.

“We’ve got two back-to-back home games, and it’s going to be difficult because the level of performance hasn’t been good enough.

“The fans will come and be a little bit negative because of what they’ve been seeing, so we’ve got to give them something. We have to be on the front foot and win duals that we haven’t done.

“Tonight was miles away and brings shades of when we first came into the football club, and that isn’t who we are.”

🗣️ “Awful performance. Not enough character. Not enough leadership. Just not good enough.”

Matt Hamshaw on Rotherham United’s 4-0 defeat at Blackpool #RUFC

Full interview 👉 https://t.co/6ZoGaKGwOi pic.twitter.com/PCF7616hL8

— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) December 29, 2025

Evatt said: “It was a really tough game, and we knew it was going to be a tough game.

“I actually don’t think we started the first half that well, but we showed moments of quality to get us ahead. They’re always a dangerous side – I feel for Matt (Hamshaw) because I feel his lads had a right good go for him tonight.

“We had to win a lot of duels and a lot of headers – there’s a lot of blood in there. It was blood, sweat and tears, but that’s the way Rotherham test you.

“The players stood up to it great. The sending off helped off us, but I felt we were in control of the game, and at the end it became enjoyable.

“There’s so much more we can do, with improvement to come. There’s so much more growth in these players.

“We’re getting what we want, some of the tactical understanding is starting to come. We’re starting to trust the framework a lot more. It was a good way to finish the year.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Rotherham frustrated as a 4-0 thrashing by Blackpool makes it 8 league games without a win…

@millersfm2011: To be fair, I think he talked more as a fan than a manager. And has said what we all have been saying. He had to stop himself a few times as it’s obvious some players are not listening. And I also think he’s got a split dressing room. Tough times.

@SABarlow1976: Basically just said the recruitment not been good enough & no leaders! Holmes, Etete and Sherrif back& then at least 2 better in surely. We are definitely in a relegation battle&need some help from decent loans. Midfield lack height, legs and goals. CB needed + a striker defo

@CraigyBoyBes: Rabbit in the headlights. Looks & sounds like he’s out of ideas #rufc

@IBradders: Kudos for fronting up but he looks like a beaten man

@Danny260214: He’s basically just said there that there’s absolutely no budget for January and it’s going to be extremely difficult to get anyone in for pennys. As much as I don’t think MH is the man for the job and he needs to go TS is the main problem here, GET HIM OUT!!! 5 straight league defeats, get that tactically inept cone collecting waste of space out before it’s too late. Tony can I have a go? I’m from Rotherham. #tsout #hamshawout #rufc

@__IrufcI__: What is even worse than him looking like a dear in the headlights and the piss poor questioning was his reaction to January. That’s a man who knows he has absolutely no money to work with. We’re in massive, massive trouble. #RUFC

@bgannrufc: Want him gone by tomorrow morning

@smith98_josh: Time to go Tony. Stop hiding, stop overpricing the club, stop ruining what’s left of your legacy. Clubs rotten top to bottom. People can try and shy away from it but it’s facts. TS doesn’t care a bit, the ASD crew are taking money and putting 0 in. Hamshaw’s recent decisions have been honking. The coaching of the team looks shite, what’s wood doing to the defence?? #rufc

@ChopsakaMBT: Thought we were gunna get Rotherham DNA …get him GONE #rufc

@eddie_broomhead: Anyone with sense has been saying TS out for years now. Same old archaic crap and false promises on repeat year after year that no other club in the country would tolerate.

@gudladme: It’s been a lack of leadership from the top of the club for years. This lack of leadership from the owner has run through the club for years now. It’s hard to say this after we nearly lost the club and were saved by TS, but it’s time for him to sell up. Stadium included #rufc

@JRipley98:
Big wake up call
It’s time for a new manager I’m afraid
New year – new manager

@Jordanc_996: Thank fuck. Dont tweet again unless its club statement; Taylor, Richardson and Evans got sacked for worse.

@kevjohnson77: Surely fans need to unite now, we ALL want the same thing right? We all agree this is shite and not good enough and all have our opinions who’s to blame etc. But ultimately we, as fans want the good times to come back on and off the pitch. #rufc