MIKE GIVES MILLERS PLAYERS HIS PARTY POLLITT-ICAL BROADCAST
POLLITT knows all about FA Cup shocks. He was in the Wigan squad which pulled off the stunning Wembley final victory against Manchester City back in 2013.
Now as Rotherham goalkeeping coach he will tap into the knowledge from that famous afternoon to hopefully inspire the side fourth bottom of the Championship.
Rotherham face mission impossible at The Etihad today as the Millers attempt to grind out an unlikely result against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions. But, as Pollitt knows only too well, stranger things have happened as Wigan, on that May day, won the only major trophy in their 81-year history courtesy of Ben Watson’s last-minute header.
Pollitt, 46 (left) said: “I got badly injured in the third round against Bournemouth. I ruptured my thigh which proved to be a season-ending injury. But the lads went on a great run after that. It was still great, though, being at Wembley watching them pull off one of the biggest shocks in the final.
“Again, just like now, no one expected City to lose against Wigan who were fighting to stay in the Premier League.
“I remember sitting in the team hotel before the game and no one was giving Wigan a mention. All the talk was about City and how many they were going to win by.
“We evidently were just coming along for
the ride. But Roberto Martinez prepared a team he felt could beat them. And we managed it against all the odds.
“But there were no celebrations. We had a crucial game at Arsenal on the Tuesday night – a game which saw us relegated.
“It was surreal. There was the FA Cup perched on a table and instead of champagne and beer the players were supping recovery drinks.
“That was the biggest disappointment – that we couldn’t celebrate properly a win which would probably never happen again.
“We will probably give this a mention to the players to show what can happen if you plan right and have the breaks. We don’t know what sort of team Pep will pick but whoever he chooses it’s still going to be a strong one.
“They’ve got quality everywhere. But as Wigan proved shocks can happen and hopefully Rotherham can create a huge shock of their own.
“The lads have been great all season. They have been punching above their weight after being everyone’s favourites to go down.
“We’ve not been murdered by anyone – so far. We’ve got a great team spirit so we are up for the task.”
Pollitt will have a few final words with his Rotherham keepers before one of them faces the daunting task of staring down the barrel of Sergio Aguero’s gun, backed up by partners in crime Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.
He added: “I imagine our No.1 keeper will be in goal, Marek Rodak. But we haven’t spoken about the line-up yet. There’s also Lewis Price who could come into the team for the FA Cup.
“He’s experienced but it might be unfair to throw him into this game.”