We need to stay positive, says James

Rotherham United defender Reece James says everyone needs to "stay positive" as they battle to stay in League One.

The Millers have lost five of their past seven matches, and sit one place and three points adrift of safety with eleven matches to play.

"We need to try and stay as positive as we can," James told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We've got to be better in the situation that we're in. We're trying, to a man, but we know we must come away with the three points, and we've got to take ownership of that. We need more of an attacking intent, getting more bodies in the box can cause chaos."

The experienced James, 32, has played for eight clubs across his 13-year career, and suffered relegation from the Championship with Wigan in 2017.

"Whenever you're in these sorts of situations, I've had it before, you speak as a group of players as you know that ultimately you're in this," he said.

"You've got to make sure the lads that have had this before and been in this position before can help some of the younger players.

"You know its difficult, confidence can be low, but ultimately confidence is a big thing in football, and you have to be able to get beyond that.

"Every player is needed. With injuries, players that thought they might not have opportunities will now have opportunities. It could be at a crucial period of the season, and so it's about making sure everyone is ready when it happens."

Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw admitted to the BBC last month that he had found the job "harder than he envisioned" after taking over from Steve Evans in April 2025.

The fans have also been voicing their disappointment over recent performances, and James conceded the buck stops with the players.

"You're the ones out there on the pitch, you're the ones who are responsible. You've got to make sure you're giving everything you can, and you're taking ownership," he said.

"You're in the spotlight, but as professional footballers that's what you're there to do. No matter the circumstances, you've got to stand tall and be ready to give everything you've got."

Third-placed Bolton Wanderers are the visitors on Saturday, with the Millers conceding a 93rd-minute goal to lose 2-1 in Lancashire on Boxing Day.

"They're a dangerous side and carry a lot of threats in different areas of the pitch, particulary forward areas," said James.

"They're in good form at the other end of the table, but that comes with its own pressures. We've got our own fight, we've got to make sure we do our bit.

"Its a very tight league this season, the league comes with a lot of surprises. We've to just keep going about our business, making sure we keep focused on our end result which is to try and stay in this division."