Debutant right-back Ryan Fredericks's freak goal shortly before the break saw Millwall to a deserved 1-0 victory over the Blues at the Den. Town, who had midfielder Luke Hyam stretchered off early on, were second best for the most part and would have lost by a greater margin had former winger Lee Martin not spurned a 70th minute chance.

Skipper Carlos Edwards started on the right-side of a four-man midfield, making his first league start since the 3-1 home victory over Blackburn on December 3rd, as the Blues — wearing last season’s white and black away kit - switched back to 4-4-2 with Daryl Murphy back up front after recovering from his thigh injury.

Millwall, whose new manager Ian Holloway was in charge at the Den for the first time, included ex-Blues Liam Trotter and Martin from the start, while former loan keeper Stephen Bywater was on the bench.

Neither team had created anything before Hyam underwent lengthy treatment on the pitch for an injury to his right leg after an eighth-minute challenge with fellow former Northgate High School pupil Trotter.

The Town players quickly called on physio Matt Byard having kicked the ball out of play and the 22-year-old was eventually taken off on a stretcher with Jay Tabb replacing him and going to the left with Tunnicliffe switching to the centre.

Trotter curled a shot wide from 20 yards in the 16th minute with the home side having settled better after the delay for Hyam’s injury.

On 26, with Town still to really get going, an error by Cole Skuse in the centre circle allowed Martin a run in on goal but, having turned inside Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra, the midfielder’s low shot failed to test Gerken.

A minute later, McGoldrick scuffed the Blues’ first effort of the game through to Millwall keeper David Forde.

The Town top scorer created a better chance for his strike partner Murphy soon afterwards with a clever flick but the Irishman’s well-struck shot from the left of the area was too close to Forde.

Aaron Cresswell volleyed Edwards’s 34th minute cross into the ground with the Blues, by now having switched back to 4-3-3, finally starting to settle and get on top.

But, five minutes before the break, the home side went in front. Debutant full-back Ryan Fredericks, who signed on loan from Tottenham yesterday, sent in a deep cross from the right which somehow flew over keeper Gerken’s head, under the bar and into the net.

Town looked to hit back via McGoldrick but his effort was blocked by Lions skipper Danny Shittu. Before play could restart — and shortly before the fourth official signalled six additional minutes - Millwall keeper Forde was replaced by ex-Town loanee Stephen Bywater.

Edwards and Millwall’s Scott Malone got their names in the book for a clash after the Blues skipper had been fouled not far outside the area on the right, the Lions defender believing the Trinidadian had dived. The resultant freekick came to nothing.

The Blues were unable to get back on terms before referee Eddie Ilderton — who had frustrated the Town players on a number of occasions during the half — blew his whistle.

After the early injury to Hyam, Town took a long time to get going but had just started to get on top before Fredericks’s freak goal which Gerken will have been very disappointed to concede. Overall though, manager Mick McCarthy will have been disappointed with the display.

Martin nodded Smith’s goalbound header from Tunnicliffe’s corner off the line four minutes after the restart, then on 54 Shittu blocked from Murphy after good work from Skuse and Cresswell. From the corner, Tunnicliffe sent the ball well over.

On 57 Edwards crossed into Bywater’s arms with the Blues starting the half looking more of a threat than they had during most of the first, but with Millwall also still having their moments.

Paul Taylor replaced Edwards shortly after the hour mark, joining McGoldrick and Murphy in the front three. Then, with the home side again starting to dominate, Malone hit a powerful strike across the face of goal after a previous effort had deflected to him on the left.

Ex-Town winger Martin should have doubled his side’s lead in the 69th minute when Scott McDonald deftly flicked the ball in to his path inside the area. The one-time Manchester United man tricked his way past Chambers and into space 10 yards out and seemed destined to score but blazed wildly over.

It was a lucky escape for the Blues, who were by now pegged back in their half by the Lions, who were very much on top. On 73 sub Tabb made way for Frank Nouble.

Taylor curled a freekick just wide in the 76th minute, but Bywater wasn’t often being tested and Millwall were looking the more likely next scorers.

However, on 86 the Blues went close when Murphy sent Taylor away on the left after Fredericks had slipped. Bywater blocked the Town sub’s shot and Nouble just couldn’t get on to the rebound before it was cleared. Fredericks, Malone and the outstanding Shittu all received treatment for cramp in the aftermath.

Shortly before the end of scheduled time, Taylor was booked after shooting well wide in frustration having been penalised for a foul inside the area.

Soon after the fourth official’s board had gone up signalling four minutes of injury time, the Blues threatened from a corner. Bywater was nowhere as the ball came over from the right but it just wouldn’t fall kindly and Chambers amongst others was unable grab a late equaliser.

That was the final chance and referee Ilderton — who had continued to frustrate the Town players and fans throughout the second half — confirmed the Blues’ third defeat in a week.

Despite the fortunate nature of the goal, the home side deserved their victory and the second goal that Martin should have scored wouldn’t have flattered them.

Having taken a long time to get going following Hyam’s early injury, the Blues had a brief spell on top prior to the goal and threatened in the period just after the break, but were rarely in control and all too often hit long balls forward which were easy for Shittu to deal with.

The result sees the Blues drop to 10th place in the Championship, five points behind next week’s opponents Reading — who beat Bolton 7-1 today — in sixth.

Millwall: Forde (Bywater 44), Fredericks, Shittu (c), Lowry, Malone, Trotter (Abdou 69), Bailey (Wright 61), Martin, Keogh, Morison, McDonald. Unused: Beevers, Woolford, Feeney, Marquis.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Cresswell, Edwards (c) (Taylor 62), Hyam (Tabb 13 (Nouble 73)), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Loach, Mings, Hunt, Anderson. Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear). Att: 12,125 (Town: 1,398).

Photo: Action Images

Keaneish added 17:27 - Jan 18 Woeful. New faces needed in the next 2 weeks otherwise we'll languish where we are now, its as simple as that. Devoid of any ideas today. P**s poor.
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TractorCam added 17:27 - Jan 18 Losing to Millwall with no desire, heard Nouble missed an open goal from 2 yards right near the end, sums us up lately. 1 win in 9 is not good enough, we've obviously overachieved but games like this we should win and there is still a chance we can make play-offs. I feel so negative right now though. For Reading next week, i'm hoping a 2/3-0 win is on the cards, i don't want to see us go 1-0 up (if that) and then sit back on it like always, that's the reason behind so many of our draws this season.

10

WhoisJimmyJuan added 17:30 - Jan 18 Crap. MM needs to get on top of this FAST. I trust him as we seldom go on a bad run for long, but this was dire today. If the team spirit is so good as we are told, why doesn't it show on the field? More faces? Maybe, but we keep getting new faces in over the last 5 years but still turn out the same old tripe.
15

muccletonjoe added 17:30 - Jan 18 we are now getting very close to free fall , mick has been given no money either now or last summer , under the circumstances he has done a good job, no one can argue with that. Short of throwing a few youngsters in at the deep end i dont really see what he can do to change things
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TractorBoy666 added 17:31 - Jan 18 Well after that 9 or so unbeaten run we're now 3 beaten on the trot. I was left confused like many others are why we changed our system. Reality check for us really as we are nowhere near a top 6 team, top 12 at best. What has happened to Tabb recently?? He's been very poor, we need a midfielder who looks to make something happen. The opposition always seem to suss us out! Tricky test next against Reading but its a winnable game like every other in this league.

7

Michael11 added 17:31 - Jan 18 Not good enough! I never usually blame McCarthy and still have total admiration for what he's done at the club, but today was mainly down to his poor management. Lining up with a 4-4-2 that hasn't worked all season, dropping Taylor after being one of our best players last week and replacing the injured Hyam with Jay Tabb (useless dwarf) instead of Hunt or Taylor is beyond me. It seems that Mick's delight to try and take a 0-0 draw in literally any game in the league is to blame for our inability to do anything. Dean Gerken is simply not good enough, a complete liability as much as Loach is. If Marcus Evans has any ambition with this club then he needs to dig into his pocket and fund a couple of new signings, as we're heading towards another year of mid table mediocrity I'm afraid.

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NoelTheDub added 17:33 - Jan 18 I have always said im not happy with MM team selection win or lose.His bank of two fours , no width to supply murf or the poor nouble his refusal to play taylor or hunt in games we should be capable of winning ,gives thoses ordinary teams a chance v us.We are ordinary too but clearly only have on 1 scorer in our team and because of this we when we consede a goal you cant see us getting back.We had a squeek of the playoffs and have let it go teams had got a few fresh faces in to give them a chance.The club is happy were we are im not even if its better that the dark days because we have to look forward our season is peitering out as i predicted and I think MM could have given it a right go.Im not knocking the team over a few bad results iv been consistent all season.

4

PortmanTerrorist added 17:35 - Jan 18 Apparently we were lacking in purpose and desire for virtually the whole match. For all those that criticise a young player like Hyam, aren't all those qualities that he helps bring to the team. 10th is our level, but QPR seems to have affected performances. Need at least a point v Reading to stop the rot and for Luke to get well soon !
5

floridaboy added 17:36 - Jan 18 How long before MM walks, especially if the club are not going to give him any funds which seems to be the talk coming out of PR
9

nelsontractor added 17:37 - Jan 18 after going to preston on Tuesday night,i thought things could not get any worse,but these tactics are just getting worse. just hope Marcus now puts his hand in his pocket,and give the backing we need for new players. and I hate to say this,but if we don't go up in the next 2 seasons,then I think Marcus will walk.
5

bluelodgeblue added 17:38 - Jan 18 Can' blame MM he's done well with what he's got. The real Villan is ME either he has ambitions or not. I've said for some time now he has lost interest in ITFC and I would'nt be surprised that we are up for sale.
9

runaround added 17:38 - Jan 18 I feared we would lose today & my fears were realised. Since Bournemouth match we have mainly been poor & we are a club desperately I need of a boost or spark. One win can do that but that is very difficult to see happening after a result & performance like that. Millwall shed goals for fun but their keepers have hardly been troubled today, Millwall were up for it more & that is unacceptable. Crying out for some creativity in the side but doubt MM will be given the funds to find this. After all the positive things that he has done over last 14 months, it will be such a shame if we now fade away & finish no higher than last May. We so need a morale boosting win versus Reading

9

jas0999 added 17:38 - Jan 18 Unacceptable result. Still believe Mick has worked wonders with what he's got, but the bubble has burst. We can't expect to stay in top 6 contention with such a small squad, which lacks creativity in midfield. You can also argue that unless McGoldrick scores, the others strikers are too inconsistent and score too few goals. Agree with Keanish - we need reinforcements. Otherwise it's mid table at best. Three straight defeats. One win in nine. Very poor.

18

firmfoundations added 17:42 - Jan 18 Oh dear where has our defence gone? Back end of last season we built good results on a firm defence. Smith Chambers were without doubt recognised by all as the best central defender partnership in the league. Why oh why split them. Phil, how many goals were conceded in say the 15 games prior to this partnership being split up compared to the number of goals conceded in the last 15 games?

11

essexboy added 17:42 - Jan 18 EVANS get your cheque book out now.Show some desire and help MM ,otherwise sell the club to somebody who wants it.!
17

runaround added 17:43 - Jan 18 Also my boss is a Millwall fan so I may have to bite my lip Monday.
1

ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:44 - Jan 18 Another example of new management (Holloway) a team around and giving a low placed team a huge lift. They are scrambling for points. The guy on loan from Spurs scored, sounded like a fluke/freak goal. Ok we were poor, but i will say it all day long - anyone can beat anyone in the championship. I think a 4-3-3 should have been used again today, but it doesnt get away from the fact we are not a top 6 side. Yet.

3

Wickets added 17:46 - Jan 18 No positive midfield player big big problem.
8

Tractamatt added 17:48 - Jan 18 Surely ME must realise that we need 2 new faces and that to get the quality we need money has to be spent, but alas I fear the club will be sold before this happens.This is relegation form thankfully we have a reasonable points hual but we need pace and quality in midfield not something you get for nothing.
6

blueboy1981 added 17:48 - Jan 18 Probably be knocked for being on here early BUT I'm waiting for the reasons !!!!! from the 'brigade' for yet another totally inept performance. I think it has to be accepted that MM & Co are tactically being found sadly lacking - and being made fun of almost by even poor teams. Don't keep making excuses - the truth is there for EVERYONE to see.
8

oddball added 17:50 - Jan 18 Omg what a bunch of moaners :-)
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cromwellblue added 17:52 - Jan 18 A sharp reminder for all who thought getting to 6th was the beginning of a promotion push that we are a long way from being a good team. Some positive results of late but have we ever looked in total control? Concerns remain over the quality of our keepers. I am happy enough still with the back four. It is again midfield where so much of our problem sits. No creativity, all 4 of the look and turn back as a first instinct, none of them run forward with the ball and the same can be said without it, no probing run. Frankly a shambles. How Tabb continues to be selected ahead of Hunt is a mystery. While MM has done so much I worry about his policy of having "turns" when it comes to who plays. We cannot be that predictable. Up front we have one outstanding player and the rest remain questionable and with much to prove. It's easy to call for new players but until we see a change in the way we play in midfield will it make a difference who we have? I cant be the only one who spots that the opposition midfield runs about more than us Time for a tactical rethink........

13

blueboy1981 added 17:53 - Jan 18 ....... go back to sleep Oddball - just like the players have today. Unfortunately can't see where another win is going to come from.
7

GiveusanI added 17:54 - Jan 18 Complete lack of ideas today. Just provided heading practice for Shittu. Very depressing.
8

boysinblue added 17:55 - Jan 18 1 time in the last 8 games we've scored more than one goal. And that was against Preston, who are league 1, and we still lost. We can't score goals, and this means we only need to concede 1 freak goal like today to sink us. We desperately need a creative goal threat from midfield as we have nothing at the moment and never look like we're gonna score. A lot of Mcgoldricks goals this season have been individual brilliance from him, rather than being a poacher and having goals set up for him. We wouldn't have scored against QPR either was it not for a bit of genius from Smith. I really rate MM as a top-class manager, but we were not set up today to score. If we're gonna have Hyam and Skuse in the middle (who are both similar) then have something on the wing at least! Edwards was obviously in to help Chambo and hasn't really got an attacking threat these days, and playing Tunnicliffe on the left is non-nonsensical with Anderson, Hunt & Taylor on the bench. We need a bit of width! If MM insists on playing Tunnicliffe then take off Hyam and put a proper winger in. I honestly cannnot see where the goals are going to come from. If MM plays the 4-3-3, then get that donkey Nouble off the pitch. He's honestly the least talented player at ITFC i've ever seen; while Taylor starts on the bench. Unless ME puts his hand in his pocket or MM begins to take a chance Taylor, Hunt etc, we're not gonna score and we'll finish in the bottom half. Mark my words. Rant over.

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