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On the first Walk up for Burnley day, this was definitely a performance that saw many a walk up - to the penalty area, to the wing, to the goal, such was the pedestrian nature of much of the poor fodder served to the increased gate, courtesy of Burnerleee's marketing machinery.
Yet it could have been so so different had the Clarets capitalised on the chances created. It was though perhaps inevitable, that the two teams would draw. On recent form, they had after all managed nine draws between them in their last sixteen league games.
On a cold, fine autumn afternoon, Clarets took to the field missing Chadwick, still out nursing a toe injury. This weeks reshuffle of the fifteen card deck, saw Branch move up to centre forward, a role he was not to relish in his quest to play in every possible position under Stan.
Despite winning a number of early headers, his role evaporated into an aimless meander, much like most of that around him, until being moved into a left wing role in a series of second half tactical switches.
Facey was still not 100%, so a tracksuit went in his direction, as Stan fielded pretty much a full strength squad. For the visitors, former Claret John Mullin received warm applause amongst a team currently in bottom three.
For the first time this season at home Clarets lost the toss and played towards the Jimmy Mac end as they tried to avenge last season's 2-6 humiliation. In a disappointing opening to the game, where pace, precision and passion were missing, it was the visitors who looked the more interested, yet Byfield's ambitious shot from fully thirty yards was as much as they could muster.
It took the home side ten minutes to get going, May's looping header landing on top of the net from Blake's corner. With neither side really showing, chances were few and far between in a desperately poor first half.
Good work going forwards from Arthur set up Little whose well struck volley went just over, before down the other end Jensen did well to react and block a Mullin volley. Good defending from Camara kept out the lively looking Byfield before McIntosh shot weakly at Jensen as Clarets were once again edgy in defending corners.
Ten minutes from the break and with the Clarets looking like a team that had forgotten how to score, they scored and in doing so showed just how easy it is, when you have a shot.
There were few options for Blake when he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, yet after a customary wriggle come dribble past two defenders and into the "D", his low left footer from twenty yards was more position than power, as it found the bottom left corner of Montgomery's net.
Cue the new goal jingle as Blake proclaimed his first goal in ten games and Clarets first in over four hours of football. Clarets temporarily gained confidence and over the next ten minutes had their best spell and chances to put the game beyond the visitors reach.
A minute from the break and after an accidental clash between Branch and Montgomery, which left the keeper out of it on the floor, Blake could not find the target from eighteen yards with the goal at his mercy, assuming he had not set his sights on the Jimmy Mac upper tier which is where the ballooned attempt finished.
So it was off to the new low price Bovril shop whilst Stan and Sam sorted out team matters, the second half could only be better than the first. Surely?
Nope, if anything it was worse. It was definitely colder and despite a lovely sunset, there were few other reasons to stay on the ground until 4.50-ish. Five minutes in and Clarets should have been two to the good. West and Little combined well, the latter should have shot with the goal at his mercy, but he elected to pass to supposed striker Ian Moore, Moore Moore, who, despite two attempts, could not beat Montgomery when well placed.
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Within a minute, the importance of taking chances was firmly rubbed in as Rotherham equalised, resulting from yet more poor defending. Moore and Chaplow conceded possession to Sedgwick who threaded a neat pass to Mullin, May decided not to tackle and Mullin was allowed time to put the ball under the forlorn Jensen for a poor equaliser.
Noticeably and as last season, Burnley's former midfielder hardly celebrated his goal as his fellow Millers mobbed him. It was too much for Stan, blame had been apportioned and Ian was no more Moore Moore, subbed in favour of Facey.
Briefly, Rotherham forgot about defending in numbers and attacked with a bit of pace, Byfield was causing problems, partly through pace and partly through his poor attitude. For the Clarets it was more huff than puff.
Facey over hit a threaded pass which saw Blake lose out to Montgomery. Branch had Rotherham's fans scampering rather than defenders with a wayward shot and Blake's moment of class, a reverse pass off the back of his heel, saw Little in possession and entertain, albeit briefly as he in turn set up Facey in the one decent move of the half.
Mullin almost had a second, but this time an own goal, when his misdirected header was well saved by Montgomery. Coming in to events more frequently, was referee Mr Olivier, a Jimmy Krankie look-alike in terms of size, shape and poor taste comedy.
Jimmy Krankie was also a believer in non-contact sport and many a strange decision was awarded, none more so than Grant when penalised for touching neither ball or opponent, though some may say Grant has perfected this particular aspect of his game.
Ten minutes from time and thought to be bang to rights in the home dugout area, Jimmy Krankie saw contact but gave no foul as Blake was up ended in the corner of the area. The last few minutes were played out mainly in home territory.
West's poor first touch gave the ball away and Warne's screamer was just over the bar with Jensen a spectator. Then in the last five minutes, poor decision making by the big Dane caused many a flutter in the home stands. Two simple crosses were fluffed big style. First we had punch, palm, flap as a series of brain waves, before he just simply dropped an innocuous corner, then lost it completely by not being able to kick straight.
Branch nearly finished on a high but his header at full stretch was straight at Montgomery as the game moved into sponsored extra time. Jimmy Krankie did finish on a high, booking May for a needless foul, his fifth booking that will now mean a suspension and Chaplow presumably for looking younger than Jimmy Krankie.
The game closed as it had opened, with the loudest voice in Lancashire droning out with yet more marketing stuff to the few boo boys, as most sought solace from the warmth of car heaters.
Att:- 12, 928.
Star Gazer
Ian Moore. Yet another performance from his growing collection of inept and shirking performances. Despite the added incentive of playing against his dad’s team, here was another canter around the middle of the pitch with little end product. Without conviction or belief, he desperately needs to get a goal and get some confidence back and quick.
Beer Money
I don't know about the new Proclaimers, Five Hundred Miles song. On the evidence of this performance, the new marketing campaign may change it's anthem to Dire Straits, Money for Nothing or D-Reams, Things Can Only Get Better.
Star Geezer
Arthur Gnohere. A close call with the sponsors man of the match, Blake, but Arthur was once again reassuring at the back, his partnership with May getting better by the game and his moments of doziness have for the moment departed.
Champagne Tastes
Surely new faces must be brought and soon to liven up this small and now jaded squad. A keeper, a striker a midfield play maker, currently there's plenty of scope for improvement.