Rotherham United’s recent League One opener saw the introduction of several fresh faces, with manager Matt Hamshaw offering his insights into the immediate impact and future prospects of the team’s new summer recruits, notably proclaiming Kion Etete as a “proper Rotherham United centre-forward” after his debut.

Etete, who arrived on a season-long loan from Cardiff City just a day prior, was thrust into action as a substitute during the closing stages of the Millers’ 2-1 victory over Port Vale at AESSEAL New York Stadium. Despite his limited time on the pitch and acknowledged lack of match fitness, Hamshaw expressed considerable optimism regarding the 23-year-old’s potential contribution to the squad.

Hamshaw’s assessment of Kion Etete highlighted the strategic value of his acquisition, viewing it as excellent business for the club. The manager emphasized the need to tailor the team’s attacking play to suit Etete’s strengths, specifically mentioning the importance of delivering accurate crosses into the box to maximize his effectiveness as a target man for Rotherham United.

The tactical discussions extended to the forward line’s depth, with Hamshaw acknowledging the valuable alternatives Etete provides alongside established attackers like Sam Nombe and Jordan Hugill. While Nombe impressively bagged two goals in the first half against the Valiants, and Hugill had a quieter outing, the manager underscored the strength of having a robust trio of attacking options at his disposal.

Beyond Etete, the day of debuts saw other new Rotherham United signings making their mark. Amongst the most impressive were Agbaire and Hall, whose performances were particularly notable as the Millers asserted dominance up until the half-time whistle, showcasing the early positive influence of the fresh talent within the squad.

However, the second half presented a different narrative, with the team’s performance dipping after the interval. Hamshaw candidly admitted that while it was beneficial for all the new players to gain valuable match minutes, some, like Kion Etete, were perhaps not fully prepared for the intensity of competitive play, given their recent arrivals and travel prior to the fixture.

The manager’s focus remains on integrating these new additions smoothly into the team’s system and building their match sharpness. The initial outing underscored the potential these players bring to Rotherham United, but also highlighted the ongoing developmental work required to ensure they consistently perform at the level expected in League One football throughout the season.