MAREK EYES UP A DOUBLE TOAST
THE swiftly-changing nature of football means you can never count your chickens, but Marek Rodak is hoping for a double celebration come the end of the season.
And why not? Parent club Fulham have stormed into Championship promotion contention over the last couple of months, while his loan side, Rotherham United, are one of the red-hot teams in League One.
Indeed, the Millers headed into yesterday’s derby against Doncaster on the back of a 13game unbeaten run, including ten victories.
It took them to fourth place in the table and may just have the front three of Blackburn, Scunthorpe and Wigan a little concerned.
Slovakian goalkeeper Rodak is taking it all in his considerable 6ft 4in stride.
Promising
“A double promotion would be fantastic and, fingers crossed, it happens, but there’s still a long way to go,” said the 21-yearold.
Whatever occurs, he can already reflect that he’s come a long way in his short but action-packed career.
It was five years ago, just after his 16th birthday, that the promising keeper left his native Slovakia behind to try his luck in England with Fulham.
He’s clearly one the Whites have high hopes for and recently signed a new deal until 2020.
“It was quite difficult when I first came over,” he admitted. “It took a few months to get used to being away from my family and to learn more England. I didn’t know much when I arrived.”
What has helped his English football education is the loan spells he’s had, starting off in Non-League with Farnborough and Welling and then moving into the EFL with Accrington Stanley and now Rotherham.
“It was difficult in NonLeague,” he explained. “I was 18 and had been playing on the nice U21 pitches. Then, I had to get used to bad pitches and a more physical game – it toughened me up.
“As a young goalkeeper it’s been good to play men’s football and see all the different levels. Now at League One, I can see there are better pitches, better players and more football is played than lower down. It’s better quality.”
After making his Fulham first-team bow in a 2-0 win at Wycombe in the Carabao Cup in early August, Rodak moved to Rotherham at the end of that month.
It’s proved an inspired decision as the Millers attempt to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking. Ahead of yesterday’s game, he had notched up 23 appearances, playing an important role in their impressive recent form.
“It’s good for my development to play so many games and I’m lucky because we’ve got a good group of lads and a good manager in Paul Warne,” he said. “He’s one of the best I have played for. He’s a good person and manager. He makes people laugh and tells good jokes. He always comes out with something new and that helps take the pressure off.” While Rodak’s immediate focus is on Rotherham, he wouldn’t be human if he didn’t have LEADER: half an eye Paul on his parent Warne club’s fortunes. “I was really pleased to extend my contract with Fulham,” he said. “I’m happy there and I like the club. After the spells on loan, I hope I will get a chance, but we will see what happens.”
And, if he does need any encouragement, he can always turn to his father, Marek Snr, for support.
He was also a goalkeeper, plying his trade in his home country and in the Czech Republic, and is now a goalkeeping coach.
“He watched all my games when I was younger and would give me advice for the next one,” he added. “I trained with him from a young game and he still gives me advice.”