Well, one conclusion I’ve come to so far this season is we need to sack off the Sunday lunchtime kick-offs.
Two Sunday early kick-offs and two defeats. However, if you compare the two games, there is a big difference in performance levels, application and desire. The Norwich performance was a complete farce. No commitment or fight or application.
Sunday’s clash with Leeds was a little bit different and I think we also need a bit of perspective. Nine of that starting eleven have played in the Premier League. Six of them did last season for the Yorkshire side. Be in no doubt this Leeds side will be up there at the end of the season regardless what any of us thought coming into this game.
I can not agree with anyone who says to me Leeds were there for the taking, I’m sorry but that is people who are in dreamland. Daniel Farke is a two time winner of this league, he knows what he is doing, yes they’ve had a slow start but the quality was always there and it was only going to take a certain period of time before they got going and clicked.
The front four that started on Sunday, Gnoto, Sommerville, Rutter and Piroe, there is not a better front four in the league in my view. They will score goals and they will cut through teams as we saw for their opening goal. A superb team move. From our point of view it’s not the way to defend but you’ve also got to admit it’s a great move and they’ve cut us apart.
Another thing to remember, Leeds had three shots on target and scored three goals, it doesn’t look good from our point of view but what it does indicate, is that they were clinical – something that Millwall have not been for sometime. It was not a 3-0 game anyone who was watching will tell you that.
The second and third Leeds goals were always on the cards due to the changes made by the manager at the 60 minute mark. It was always going to leave us open to a rapid counter and that is what happened.
Tonight we face a Rotherham United team who have not won away for 18 games. This is a side that are similar to ourselves in terms of trouble in front of goal. So, tonight don’t expect plenty of goals, this will be a tight and nervous affair. Both teams need a win. For Millwall, as the home team the expectation will be to go out and get the result.
Home form has been a worry for a while now, selling out the ground has not helped generate results. Luton, Blackburn, Bristol City and Leeds have all left SE16 with at least a point when the ground has been sold out. A full house and a packed out Den has lost that fear factor that it has had in recent years.
2023 has been a disappointing one at home. However, there is still plenty of time left to turn that around. That change needs to start happening tonight.
I’ve seen many different tweets and responses since the Leeds game calling for the managers head. Gary Rowett has done a fine job at our club. Yes, the football might be hard to watch at times, but so far he’s got it right more often than not.
Lets back the team and the manager. A few wins and things will look a lot different. After all, tonight is only game number seven.
Image: BBC