GARY Rowett believes Oxford United have found the right club for Louie Sibley after the midfielder headed out on loan.
Sibley joined Sky Bet League One side Rotherham United until the end of the season on Friday, and netted two minutes into his Millers debut.
His loan side would ultimately go on to lose 4-2 at Burton Albion, but Rowett is confident the Millers will be the best place for Sibley to get a run of regular games.
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Summer signing Sibley played 14 times in all competitions for United after joining on a free transfer from Derby County in July, but started just once in the Championship.
U’s head coach Rowett said: “We’ve got quite a few players that haven’t managed to get minutes. Sometimes when you change formation, it makes it a little bit harder for one or two to find a natural fit within that.
“You can see it with the changes from the bench. I tend to not make similar changes, but I tend to pick similar players in those roles.
“There are people like Idris [El Mizouni], and I sense that he’ll be frustrated because he’s a good player and he wants to get on the pitch. Hidde [ter Avest] is the same.
“It’s hard when you’re on a good run of form and winning games to make those changes.
“Sibs is one we just felt would benefit. The first half of the season was also similar, with his injury as well.
“We felt it was a good opportunity for him to go and get games, and hopefully show us exactly what he is, which is a very good footballer.”
Rowett is close with Millers manager Steve Evans, and the former believes that Rotherham’s set-up will work well for Sibley.
Rowett said: “I know other people there as well. I know Steve, I know the first team coach Gary Mills, and I also know Paul Raynor [assistant manager].
“I think it was more around where could he go and flourish. The way that they want to play might suit Sibs’ energy and competitiveness.
“If you can get balls around the edge of the box dropping for him, he’s the sort of player that can come onto it and finish things.
“For us, it’s been difficult. I think he’s more of an eight, and at the moment because we’re playing with a 10 and two wide players in those areas, it’s probably a little bit more difficult for him, but he’s a really nice kid and I’ve known him for a while.
“I’m hoping it can be the sort of thing he needs. If you’re 23, you want to be playing football. He wants to play football, and I would fully support him wanting to play football, and trying to give him that opportunity.”
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About the author
Liam is the sports reporter for the Oxford Mail, primarily focusing on Oxford United.
He joined in November 2019 as a news reporter, and has previously covered patches including West Oxfordshire, education and local politics.
Liam received a Masters in Journalism from UCLan and can be found on X through the handle @OxMailLiamRice