Nobody Would Want to Play Millwall at the Moment — Notes for Millwall Sunday, 1st Apr 2018 14:15 by HarryFromBath HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of our Easter Monday game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “Is it just me or are there others that are sick and tired of not losing games? It has been ages since I last walked out of a ‘Wall game able to start moaning at people and claiming I am ****ing sick of it and won’t be coming again. I really miss all those s*** games devoid of any passion and purpose.” “We are going like a steam train at the moment.” Millwall head to Suffolk just one point off the play-off places. They are unbeaten in 13 league games, winning seven of their last eight and are aiming to set an historic club record at Portman Road on Monday of seven away Football League wins in a row. “I’m over the moon with our team and the season we are having”, “There is a chance of us finishing in the top six but there is no pressure as we have spent a fraction of the money the other top 10 clubs have spent”, “Other clubs have blown millions and they are performing no better than us.” “The players have a winning, never-say-die mentality at the moment. They just don’t want to lose. It should be a very entertaining and nail-biting run-in”, “There are teams that look better on paper but in reality, they are nothing more than tippy-tappy sideways merchants with no bollocks up front.” “I love the league this season”, “Our current trajectory takes us towards a play-off place finish when other teams’ form is taken into account. It never happens in real life but make of it what you will”, “Seven matches to go to the end of the season. It’s going to be tight but we may just about do it.” Neil ‘Bomber’ Harris“Credit has to go to Neil. He has his critics and sometimes the football isn’t pretty but give me him over an idiot like [former manager] Ian Holloway. I will always love the gaffer, he’s a Millwall legend and has done a brilliant job as manager of our club. There’s a great buzz about the club right now.” “Harris lives and dies by Millwall and it has rubbed off on the players.” The club’s all-time leading goalscorer replaced Holloway in March 2015 with Millwall virtually relegated into League One. He guided the Lions back to the Championship last season and has been praised for his clear thinking. “Neil keeps everything simple and it has paid dividends. The club seems more professional”, “He has moulded a side with a simple objective and has never fitted round pegs into square holes. Every single position has a direct replacement and you could play an 11-a-side first v reserve team match.” “Last season’s promotion side never had the right balance throughout or quality at the back to give you confidence of success in a higher division. Harris thought this too so he went and signed the best League One players in their positions and quality Championship players unhappy at their clubs.” “His stewardship this season has been excellent. He hasn’t made the mistake of signing players just to make up the numbers, He started with a 4-4-2 blueprint and worked from that. It’s all about long-term continuous improvement and I hope he is going to remain with us for the foreseeable future.” An Extraordinary Togetherness“Neil has built a team forged in the togetherness that’s in the image of Millwall. It’s what most of us want and expect, unity and effort. There were signs last season but not the quality to go with it”, “We are a closely-knit side with a wonderful team ethic which allows us to always be in the game.” “We have an incredibly workmanlike style with each player comfortable in their role and willing to battle for their team-mates”, “The overall work rate of this team is something to behold, relentless pressure, energy and will to win”, “Our energy, tenacity, pace and team spirit look rather special.” “This is the best balanced Millwall side we have had in ages. We work incredibly hard and we keep our shape very well”, “We put in a shift, we are well organised and have the nous to close a game out. Yes, some of it is on the wrong side of the rules but the fight is in us and not the opposition.” “You can see how committed the players are, chasing every ball and giving opponents no chance to settle”, “We have determination and spirit and put in nuggety, disciplined and battling displays, so fans will support the players and the manager even when performances fall short of expectations.” ArcherRomeoHutchinsonCooperMeredithWallaceWilliamsSavilleMarshallGregoryMorison
“You don’t have to be Einstein to pick the team. Playing 4-4-2 has served us well this season.” Harris has used just 12 different players in the last eight starting line-ups. The XI (above) which began their Good Friday win over Forest has started in seven of these fixtures, including each of the last three. With three substitutes also coming from just five names in the same period, the side has been very settled lately. “The team picks itself and only illness or injury are likely to change matters. Our best XI is clear now and there will only be forced changes while we’re in with a shout of the play-offs.” “Only three goals conceded in the last 10 Championship games in 2018 and we have gone over four hours without conceding a goal”, “Our usual trick is to stay deep and deny any attacking teams space in the final third, but the team tends to allow opponents to shoot at will from outside the box.” Lions have praised their side’s consistent and solid defending with keeper Jordan Archer criticised for making an occasional error. Shaun Hutchinson is the stronger defensively of two decent centre-backs while the aerial threat of Jake Cooper is a menace at set pieces at both end of the pitch. Young right-back Mahlon Romeo has blossomed in his first season playing regular Championship football and he is seen as a good attacking full-back. James Meredith on the opposite side of the back four has been praised regularly for his solidity and consistency when defending. “Nearly all our play is over the top to the strikers or down the wings, so central midfielders won’t get many goals in that system.” Lions have praised their balance of their central midfield pair, with the passing of Shaun Williams complimenting the industry and lung-bursting runs of George Saville. Jed Wallace on the right wing has struck up a strong attacking partnership with right-back Romeo, but the arrival on loan in January of Ben Marshall on the left flank has added a footballing dimension to complement the side’s physicality and industry. Fred Onyedinma’s pace is a weapon off the bench. “On television you don’t see the overall shape and energy of the team of the pace of our attacks”, “Lee Gregory and Sean Morison give each other a spring in their step and find each other naturally with the ball. We have more control and balance when these two are playing together up front.” Three attacking players have featured regularly from the bench. Returning veteran Tim Cahill is still adapting to the pace of the Championship, Aiden O’Brien’s wing play has been criticised but he seen as natural finisher up front, though many feel that Tom Elliott is unsuited to the team’s playing style. Millwall 2 — 0 Nottingham Forest“Three points, a clean sheet and a dominant display on a shocking wet afternoon. Could we keep our momentum up despite having two weeks off? This afternoon proved that we could”, “The dream is well and truly alive and that’s why we have completely sold out the home tickets. People believe.” Shaun Williams headed the Lions in front after 27 seconds, remarkably the third time in four games in which they had taken the lead inside a minute. Lee Gregory doubled Millwall’s advantage on 33, firing home after a fine move. Forest barely threatened despite dominating possession. “Forest were passing the ball around but only shooting from distance”, “They had all that possession but nothing to show for it”, “We clearly had a game plan which meant we retreated into two banks of four and let Forest come at us, but they never had the skill to turn their possession into chances.” Barnsley 0 — 2 Millwall“A rhapsody in blue lines”, “That’s it, we have done it. The side that could not buy an away goal, let alone win have chalked up their sixth consecutive away league win”, “The pitch was marked in blue in case heavy snow flurries settled, but it was the high winds which caused us the greatest threat.” “A fabulous result and performance. Our team are flying and love playing.” Lee Gregory opened the scoring for the visitors on 24, capitalising on a turnover in possession in the Tykes’ half to slot home, and Ben Marshall confirmed victory with a “25-yard screamer” midway through the second half. “We cut down on the long ball stuff due to the high winds and played more football on the deck. The ball wobbled violently in a gale which was powerful enough to bend the corner flags parallel to the pitch at times”, “Marshall and Wallace put in few crosses, preferring to pass the ball into midfield.” “Another superb display which frustrated Barnsley and forced them to make countless mistakes.” The familiar starting XI (above) was able to adjust their approach to the unfavourable conditions, and visiting fans praised the side’s “superbly disciplined display” throughout the 90 minutes. Millwall 1 — 0 Brentford“How the hell did we win that? We were completely outplayed, Brentford could have scored four or five”, “We held on for a victory which owed much to team spirit, sheer endeavour and a giant slice of luck”, “It was arguably our worst performance of the year”, “A very good and Millwall-like win.” Saville scored in the first minute for a second consecutive game, and it proved to be the only goal in an open game which saw 27 attempts on goal. Many home fans felt that they rode their luck as Brentford dominated both possession and chances but were unable to make any of them count. “It appears that we are under a soupçon of pressure”, “This mob are all over us. Morison hasn’t had a kick and their little ginger bloke Ryan Woods has too much time and space in the middle”, “After the first 10 minutes we reverted to our old habit of sitting deep and not pressing high up the pitch.” “We started like a house on fire and were one up in the first minute. Brentford played a lot of slick football with three at the back and full-backs which bombed on, they put us under real pressure”, “They came right back into the game in the second half but we worked hard and got the result.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Jordan Archer has Jekyll-and-Hyde performances, unaccountably dropping the ball one moment and then pulling off superb saves the next.” The 24-year-old former Spurs youth product “is a calm and assured keeper who is as brave as you like when diving right in for the ball at opponents’ feet.”  Jordan Archer“We have to accept that Archer will concede goals from outside the area”, “He doesn’t move his feet dealing with long shots. He just throws his body in the general direction of the ball”, “He will flap at crosses when no-one is near him”, “His command and direction around the penalty box is terrible.” “Mahlon Romeo has made the right-back slot his own.” The 22-year-old former Gillingham man “has become a completely dependable member of our defence, putting in accomplished displays at the back and bombing forward at every opportunity. He gets skinned occasionally but sticks to his task.” “Romeo has decent pace and power and is a steely determined player”, “He is superb going forward and he hardly wastes a pass”, “He gets caught in possession trying to cut inside players and loses his position bombing forward but he had total focus and resolve for the full 90 minutes against Forest.” “James Meredith had a storming game and stuck to his task against Forest.” The 29-year-old former Bradford City left-back “uses his pace and anticipation to cover for his team-mates”, “He tries hard and is full of energy and industry but he struggles to find the quality when he gets in good positions.” “Meredith puts in typical gutsy performances, but it’s a shame he doesn’t get forward to support his winger more”, “He’s a great athlete who deals with dangerous wingers with ease, putting in great tackles”, “An energetic and committed player with a great engine who is getting better all the time.” “Jason Shackell is an excellent option to have.” The 34-year-old centre-back arrived in January on loan from Derby. “He’s a hard, experienced defender who may be on the old side but if it’s just for cover then it’s a good signing”, “A no-frills grafter who wins the ball and who won’t let you down.”  Jason Shackell“Shaun Hutchinson is a superb leader at the back.” The 27-year-old ex-Fulham man “is a rock of a centre-half and very steadfast in the middle of defence”, “He’s cool as a cucumber and is very good at dealing with target men”, “He makes great clean tackles which go straight through opponents.” “Hutchinson is easily our player of the year”, “He’s such a colossus for us and he has been putting in consistently good performances week in week out”, “He’s a resolute defender and a truly tenacious competitor”, “Jake Cooper looks lost at times without Hutchinson to take him through the game.” Jake Cooper“When we first got Cooper, he couldn’t pass salt around a table but he’s much more competent and his long hoof balls are getting more accurate.” The 23-year-old former Royal “is a titan who does a lot of terrific defensive work”, “Reading fans said he didn’t fit in with Jaap Stam’s passing game.” “All clubs will surely now know about Cooper being a danger from set pieces. He has been a for a few months now”, “He is a good tackler who is comfortable in the air”, “His height and ungainliness camouflage a decent player. He reads the game well and covers brilliantly for his fellow defenders.” Central Midfielders“Ryan Tunnicliffe is a limited player creatively but he does what he does well.” The 27-year-old ex-Fulham man and one-time Town loanee “is not a ball-playing midfield maestro, he’s a workhorse that keeps it simple and effective”, “A good ball-winner who prefers fragmented and rushed games.”  Ryan Tunnicliffe“Tunnicliffe gets about the pitch but little else”, “’Teacake’ does his best to plug the gaps. He’s very good tracking free runners and is more comfortable with the defensive side of the role”, “He’s busy and covers every blade of grass, but he’s largely ineffective when it comes to making things happen.” “Shaun Williams is more likely to hit a better pass than Tunnicliffe.” The 31-year-old former Milton Keynes player “controls midfield, breaking up play and launching attacks”, “When problems arise, he is involved in their making, selling himself easily, not closing down or getting robbed of possession.” “We play better when Williams moves the ball faster”, “His important tackles halt dangerous moves and he effectively sweeps in front of the back four and organises the midfield”, “He keeps us ticking over and puts his fair share of tackles in, but he can drift too deep, playing like a third centre-back.” George Saville“Saville has put in some commanding performances lately.” The 24-year-old ex-Wolves man “works tirelessly for 90 minutes and adds quality when on the ball”, “The work he gets through in midfield is breath-taking, especially off the ball. He snuffs out so many attacks, bottling them up impressively.”  George Saville“Saville is always a steadying and classy influence in central midfield and he plays things simply”, “He busts a gut to get into the box and score vital goals”, “He puts in countless tackles, gets shots away and allows Williams to patrol the halfway line”, “He covers so much ground in defence and attack.” Wingers“Fred Onyedinma carries the ball forward with purpose.” The 21-year-old youth product “has looked lively and he breaks well down the flank”, “His best position is coming off the bench after 70 minutes and using his pace”, “He has been playing better of late but does not warrant a starting place yet.” “I’m not one of Fred’s biggest fans because of his inconsistency, but he’s starting to deliver in games and is showing his talent”, “He outstrips defenders with his pace and he will always be a threat with his trickery and skill. He doesn’t always use them well as he lacks composure and a football brain.”  Aiden O’Brien makes it 2-2 against Town“It’s a shame that Aiden O’Brien picked up an ankle injury in January just when he found form.” The 24-year-old youth product made a late cameo appearance against Forest. “His footwork will unnerve defenders but he misses the simple ball, gets caught in possession and allows dangerous turnovers.” “As a wide midfielder O’Brien is at best a luxury and at worst a liability but he’s the best finisher in the club”, “He’s one of the most naturally talented players in the squad but he’s not a winger, he’s a striker and a finisher”, “He gets forward well and scores, but he produces no crosses into the box.” “Ben Marshall has brought balance to the side.” The 26-year-old January arrival on loan from Wolves “rarely gives the ball away. He plays everything simply, keeping our shape when closing down but finding time to surge forward. His set pieces were what we were badly missing before he arrived.” “Marshall looks like a player who is coming to terms with how we play. It’s as if he never had to work so hard at Wolves and is not quite up to the pace of our game. He starts like a train but peters out”, “He clearly has a good football brain and releases the ball and finds passes and space with ease.” Jed Wallace“Wallace roams everywhere and is very dangerous.” The 23-year-old June acquisition from Wolves “has been a superb source of assists this season. He picks up a lot of loose balls in midfield and uses them well”, “He’s a potent attacking threat, with his pace, passing ability and cleverness on the ball.”  Jed Wallace“Watching Wallace constantly trying to get things moving makes me tired. Where does he get the energy from?”, “He flits in and out of games when he’s off form. When on his game he’s a constant threat on the right wing. We see a great attacking shift backed up by some awesome defending.” Strikers“Tim Cahill has done well when he has come on. We lose a little bit of mobility up front but he wins balls and generally makes a nuisance of himself.” The 38-year-old Australia international returned to The Den in January having played for the Lions between 1998 and 2004. “He’s a good bench option.” “We can’t really drop anyone for Cahill at the moment. He will have to sit on the bench and wait his turn”, “As good as he is in the air, he’s not suited to contesting balls launched from deep”, “He has looked reasonably up to pace with the game, holding the ball up well and rarely wasting possession.” “Tom Elliott is an impact substitute and not a starter. Every time he starts he looks out of his depth.” The 27-year-old former Wimbledon man “is good in parts but makes poor decisions. He doesn’t have Morison’s movement to find space”, “He fails to hold the ball up and doesn’t read where it is going.” “Elliott is 6ft 4in and he wins a lot of balls in the air. He’s a right handful who causes defences no end of problems, but he still needs to improve his decision-making. He wins plenty of flick-ons but few find his strike partner”, “He doesn’t use really his strength or physical dominance to great effect.”  Steve Morison“Steve Morison is Harris’s glue that keeps it together on the pitch.” The 34-year-old one-time Canary “uses his guile and clever movement to act as Gregory’s foil. He will cleverly set up moves dropping back to help the midfield. He is also a true leader on the pitch and the other players listen to him.” “When opponents deal with Morison we struggle to keep hold of possession”, “He’s good in the air, holds the ball up and passes well on the deck”, “His movement is as good as Teddy Sheringham’s”, “He leads the line, ruffles feathers, gets in the referee’s ear and he sheds every drop for the team.” Lee Gregory“Gregory is a nuisance all game and is full of industry and endeavour.” The 29-year old ex-FC Halifax Town striker “is a right handful who never gives the opposition back four a moment’s peace”, “He so cleverly pulls players all over the pitch and creates spaces with his sublime movement and effort.”  Lee Gregory“Gregory never complains about having to feed off scraps. He works and forages harder than anyone I can remember in Millwall blue, closing players down and retaining the ball well”, “He bullies centre-backs all game long using his strength to win the ball and keeps possession for us against the odds.” Lions’ Views on ITFC and the Game“The Ipswich game has sold out. My mate got mine a couple of days ago so I shall be there”, “I will be attending Ipswich Town away. Hopefully it will be a very significant moment in our history then”, “Be ready Ipswich, because we’re coming for three points and nothing less.” Apart from making history with a record run of away wins, Lions see Monday’s game as one of the most winnable of a difficult run-in. “After Ipswich, five of the remaining six matches will be against clubs above us and two of those against our direct competitors for the remaining play-off places.” “Ipswich, I have been three times. (1) Nicked (in a cup thrashing) for supposedly attacking a copper, (2) Hit on the head by a seat thrown by one of us (when we were relegated), (3) I got surrounded by 20 Ipswich and got a bit of a shoeing (in another game of no importance). I love the place.” “I never heard of anyone getting a dig at Ipswich, you must be one unlucky fella”, “If I remember rightly, when we played them in the last game of the season [in 1996] and got relegated we needed to win to stay up and they needed to win to make the play-offs. It ended up 0 — 0, ridiculous!” “Portman Road is hardly a good hunting ground for us. We have got to be right at it from the off and no letting up. That ugly long nosed **** Mick would like nothing more than to **** up any hope we have of the play-offs”, “His going at the end of the season may see Ipswich having a bit of a wobble.” There was some discussion about Mick and his time managing Millwall and much of it was not too flattering. “He hasn't achieved much in nearly 30 years. One play-off position at Millwall in four years, one play-off position with Ipswich in six years and one World Cup tournament in six years. “He had two promotions with fairly big clubs and three relegations with the same ones. He obviously cut his managerial teeth in his 10 years at Millwall and Ireland. He then had enough know-how and financial backing to get Sunderland and Wolves up, which both these clubs would have expected.” “His name will get mentioned next season whenever there is a Championship vacancy”, “He signed a lot of non-league quality players at Millwall, either from England, Ireland or abroad. These players either went straight back into non-league football, retired or had short term lower-league careers. “A lot of older players well past their best saw out contracts and then retired. The expensive signings never performed and returned abroad or dropped down the divisions. We were a Championship club and should have been signing Championship quality players but sadly this was not the case.” “I don't believe Big Mick ever spoke about Millwall's relegation season, when he was manager for over 30 of those games or the administration a few months later. As far as he's concerned it's nothing to do with him, not his problem and he didn't care anyway as he doesn't like the club.” “The Yorkshire t***** left us in the ****, that's enough to know”, “At least he's consistent, he's leaving Ipswich in the **** at the end of the season.” WebsitesThe busiest Lions’ message-board with open access to the public is Millwall Online and it comes with the traditional warning of occasional industrial language.
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