Matt Hamshaw has Rotherham United star - £1m man can be ticket to the Championship | OneFootball

Sam Nombe has the ability to fire Rotherham United into playoff contention if Matt Hamshaw can get this out of him

Sam Nombe has been a huge topic of conversation amongst Millers fans in his past two seasons with Rotherham United, but under Matt Hamshaw, his £1 million price tag has come to fruition, and he is starting to show signs of the player promised to fans.

Nombe’s second season with the Millers is coming to a close and his return of 13 goals and five assists, with the second-most big chances created in the league, in an underperforming side, would be considered one of the better performers in the league this season.

This performance has certainly gone under the radar in the league. Nombe has been a consistent performer in an underwhelming side, but there is still more to come from him if Hamshaw can coach him appropriately.

Under Hamshaw, his numbers and his overall performances have truly blossomed into a player that is carrying the Rotherham forward line with his pace, energy, aggression and finishing ability to become a key cog in the Rotherham DNA that Hamshaw is creating.

How Hamshaw has got the best out of Nombe

Since arriving at the club, Nombe has started each of Hamshaw’s first seven games in charge, scoring four and assisting seven.

In these games, he has created a formidable partnership with on loan Sheffield Wednesday winger Mallik Wilks, who himself has notched three goals and three assists in this time, contributing into his all-season stats of nine goals and five assists. Again, he is another player who has improved under Hamshaw's tutelage.

During Hamshaw and Nombe's time together, Nombe has proven himself an exceptional League One striker. With qualities always shining through, his lightening pace, his brute power, his energy and his aggressiveness are all aspects that have been prevalent during his time with the Millers and previously with Exeter.

One thing that has changed during Hamshaw’s tenure is Nombe’s confidence. When Nombe is confident, prepared to take risks and unleash his shooting ability from anywhere around the pitch, he is an unstoppable striker in League One.

Take his goal against Bolton Wanderers only three games into Hamshaw’s reign. He picked the ball up around 30 yards from goal, barred down on the defender and unleashed a thunder strike to find the top corner. Six months ago, it could be said that chance was not taken, selfishness not taken, the goal not taken.

Alongside the confidence, Rotherham have adapted a style which suits Nombe’s game.

A new aggressive approach, on the front foot, with balls into the box is exactly how Nombe operates as a striker. Consequently, Nombe has been getting on the end of balls into the box, loose balls and overall poaching situations he would previously struggle with.

Rotherham can get even more from Nombe

Nombe typifies a quintessential Rotherham forward and his stature, effort and endeavour should be a driving force behind a Rotherham United promotion push.

Therefore, Hamshaw should be turning his attentions to crafting a team around Nombe to get the best out of the forward and to be the driving force of the team.

Every good side has a fantastic forward that drives them towards promotion, titles and success. For Rotherham, Hamshaw should identify Nombe as this driving force. A player who could win games by himself with his attributes if he were to be coached correctly should be made the vocal point of the Rotherham promotion push.

If Nombe’s form was to continue into pre-season and into the next season, there is potential for Nombe to truly come into his £1m price-tag that he has yet to live up to in his current time with the Millers.

Rotherham have had the capacity to fire themselves into the play-off places, as a minimum. It is now up to Hamshaw to draw that ability from the group – particularly their £1m talisman.