Rotherham were left frustrated as the Millers lost eight league games to a 4-0 defeat by Blackpool.
Ian Evatt’s side extended their unbeaten run to five games, with Josh Bowler, Danny Imray, Ashley Fletcher and Tom Bloxham all scoring after Jamal Baptiste’s red card.
Early goals from Josh Bowler and Danny Imray put the hosts under control, then Ashley Fletcher and Tom Bloxham added further goals to secure a comfortable win.
The result sees Rotherham sit 22nd in the League One table with 24 points from 23 games played and 2 points from safety. Blackpool continue to move up the table to 13th place with 29 points from 23 games played, 3 points above the drop zone and 8 points from the playoff places.
Hamshaw said: “It was a terrible performance without enough character or leadership – it just wasn’t good enough.”
“In the first half there were a few decent balls that either didn’t make contact or didn’t reach the goal. A lot happened in the second half with the sending off.
“Just disappointed with the body language and character, that’s what I just told the players.
“Some have spoken again and said 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 have two home games in a row and it will be difficult because the performance level wasn’t good enough.
“The fans will be a bit negative because of what they saw, so we have to give them something. We have to be at the forefront and win duels that we haven’t done yet.”
“Tonight was miles away and reminiscent of when we first came to the football club and that’s not who we are.”
“Terrible 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.
“Actually I don’t think we started the first half that well, but we showed good moments to move forward. They’re always a dangerous team – I feel for Matt (Hamshaw) because I feel like his boys played really well against him tonight.”
“We had to win a lot of duels and a lot of headers – there’s a lot of blood in it. It was blood, sweat and tears, but that’s how Rotherham tests you.”
“The players withstood it brilliantly. The sending off helped us, but I felt we had the game under control and it was fun in the end.”
“There is so much more we can do and we will continue to develop. There is so much more growth with these players.”
“We’re getting what we want, some tactical understanding is starting to develop. We’re starting to trust the framework a lot more. It was a good end to the year.”
Here’s how the fans reacted: Rotherham were frustrated as their 4-0 defeat to Blackpool meant eight league games without a win…
@millersfm2011: To be fair, I think he was speaking more as a fan than a manager. And said what we all said. He had to interrupt himself a few times as it was obvious some players weren’t listening. And I also believe he has a shared dressing room. Hard times.
@SABarlow1976: Basically I just said that the recruitment wasn’t good enough and there were no managers! Holmes, Etete and Sherrif back and then certainly at least two better ones. We are definitely in a relegation battle and need help with decent loans. The midfield lacks height, legs and goals. CB needed + a striker defo
@CraigyBoyBes: Rabbit in the Headlights. Looks and sounds like he’s out of ideas #rufc
@IBradders: Kudos for being at the front, but he looks like a beaten man
@Danny260214: He basically just said there that there is no budget at all for January and it will be extremely difficult to get anyone for pennies. While I believe MH is not the right man for the job and he needs to go, TS is the main problem here. Get him out!!! 5 consecutive defeats in the league, get the tactically inept bowler to catch wasted space before it’s too late. Tony, can I try? I’m from Rotherham. #tsout #hamshawout #rufc
@__IrufcI__: What’s worse than him looking like a darling in the spotlight and asking the shitty questions was his reaction to January. This is a man who knows he has absolutely no money to work with. We’re in huge, huge trouble. #RUFC
@bgannrufc: I want him gone in the morning
@smith98_josh: Time to go, Tony. Stop hiding, stop overvaluing the club, stop ruining what’s left of your legacy. Racket rotten from top to bottom. People can shy away from it, but it’s facts. TS doesn’t care, the ASD crew takes money and puts in 0. Hamshaw’s recent decisions have been a hoot. The team’s coaching looks like shit, what is Holz doing with the defense?? #rufc
@ChopsakaMBT: I thought we’d get the Rotherham DNA… and take him away #rufc
@eddie_broomhead: Anyone in their right mind has been saying TS for years. The same old, archaic crap and false promises that repeat year after year and that no other club in the country would tolerate.
@gudladme: There has been a lack of leadership at the top of the club for years. This lack of leadership on the part of the owner has been pervasive throughout the club for years. It’s hard to say after almost losing the club and being rescued by TS, but it’s time for him to sell. Stadium including #rufc
@JRipley98:
Big wake-up call
I’m afraid it’s time for a new manager
New year – new manager
@Jordanc_996: Thanks damn. Do not tweet again unless it is a club statement; Taylor, Richardson and Evans were fired in the worst case scenario.
@kevjohnson77: Surely the fans need to unite now, we ALL want the same thing, right? We can all agree that this sucks and it’s not good enough, and everyone has their own opinion about who’s to blame etc. But at the end of the day, as fans, we want the good times to return on and off the pitch. #rufc
Enough is enough. #rufc pic.twitter.com/Kzea6DWjIG
— Josh (@smith98_josh) December 29, 2025
