Category: Football

Millwall travel to Turf Moor this evening to take on Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Lions come into the fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat at The Den against Reading on Saturday.

But the Clarets come into the game after a 5-1 victory against Wigan Athletic, their biggest win of the season so far.

Matt from @NoNayNever gives us his views on Burnley:

How do you expect it to go for your club this season?

Before the season started, having changed manager and most of the starting 11, we were struggling to predict how this season would go. We were hoping that we would be in and around the play off places, and maybe even the top 2, but we also were prepared for a longer transition period as the team took time to gel and Kompany’s systems began to bear fruit. Now we are 6 games in, most Clarets are settling into a more positive frame of mind; they can see the potential in the team and maybe one or two more additions either this week or in January, along with the team working better together with each match could see us challenging for promotion come the Spring.

Do you have the right manager?

Personally, I was very happy with the appointment of Vincent Kompany. After the departure of Sean Dyche, I was really hoping the new owners would be brave and look further afield for a younger, more adventurous manager, rather than picking one of the endless managerial merry-go-round of English clubs. Early indications show that whilst he may still have plenty to learn about the Championship, his long term vision and plan seems to be the right one and, more importantly, he is attracting exciting young players from across Europe, something Dyche struggled to do.

How’s your transfer business?

Well, with many departures this summer we were always going to need to recruit a good number and I think at last count we were on 13, including 3 loans. The squad is almost unrecognisable, however after years of under-investment and allowing players to run down contracts, this was always going to happen. As I’ve already mentioned, the squad is clearly needing time to blend and start to look like a team, but on Saturday at Wigan we saw just how good that could be if we can keep key players fit.

Key Player who do we need to watch out for and why?

So far this season there have been a few stand out players. Before his red card against Blackpool, Ian Maatsen had barely put a foot wrong, surging forward from his left back role and adding some much needed urgency to the attack; Josh Cullen has come into midfield and been marshalling almost every minute of every game & Josh Brownhill has seemed to have found his level and his best role in a central attacking midfielder.

What formation and style of play do you play?

So we have settled into a 4-2-3-1 after getting a few more bodies in since the season began. The left back has licence to get forward when we are in possession with the defence shuffling into a back 3, protected by Cork and Cullen in defensive midfield roles. Kompany likes us to play out from the back which has led to some hairy moments with our new keeper Muric, brought in from City, but recent matches have shown he is learning to send it longer when needed. We have enjoyed a lot of possession in the early games, but until the last 2, had very little to show for it in the way of goals. Hopefully that blockage has now cleared and Kompany’s plan to share out the goals will come good.

What are your fans like and what do they expect of the players?

We have a mix of traditional, old school fans who will have struggled with all the changes this summer has brought and the new style of play, but they are the minority and are out-weighed by the rest of us who were ready for a refresh / reset and are enjoying this young, exciting squad.

How do you think the game will go and a prediction for the result?

After Saturday’s emphatic 5-1 win, the confidence will be high and with this match coming so soon after, the squad should be able to carry that into Tuesday, backed by hopefully another full house at the Turf who will be bouncing and right behind the team after the weekend. I imagine the starting 11 will be the same and they will approach the game in the same manner to take the game to Millwall and look to get ahead sooner rather than later and then manage the match through to the end.

IMAGE – MILLWALL FC

Millwall lost 1-0 against Reading at The Den on Saturday afternoon.

Naby Sarr’s 14th minute header gave the Royals all three points and ended the Lions five match winning run in SE16.

Millwall started the better and had an early chance when Tom Bradshaw’s header was saved by Joe Lumley.

But soon after Reading took the lead, Jeff Hendrick’s corner found Sarr who powered home at the back post.

Millwall thought they had equalised twenty minutes from time but Benik Afobe’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Reading had opportunities to make the game more comfortable for themselves when Jeff Hendrick was put through but Bart pulled off a great save.

Then Shane Long had a chance, one on one with the Lions stopper but hit just wide of the post.

Reading saw the game out and took all three points from South London.

IMAGE – MILLWALL FC

Millwall fell to a 2-0 defeat against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Friday evening.

The Lions were unlucky in moments that could’ve quite easily have fallen for them.

Millwall started well and had the first chance when George Honeyman headed over from Tyler Burey’s cross.

The hosts were having plenty of the ball but struggled to create any clear cut chances in the first 45.

But they got the opener soon after the restart, Josh Sargent placed it past Bartosz Bialkowski to give the Canaries the lead.

It was two when Scott Malone – who looked like he was fouled – lost the ball to Onel Hernandez who squared it to Sargent for a second.

The Lions were unlucky not to get a goal back when Andreas Voglslammer’s strike cannoned into the bar before Benik Afobe hit over from the resulting corner.

Millwall play Reading next up at The Den next Saturday.

IMAGE – MILLWALLL FC

AND BREATHE……

Millwall came from two goals down to gain a point against Swansea City at the Swansea.Com stadium.

The Swans started strong and opened the scoring in the first minute when Ryan Manning drilled past Bartosz Bialkowski.

Jamie Shackleton nearly levelled when his strike cannoned off the top corner after he struck it so sweetly.

Ten minutes later it was two, Michael Obafemi twisted and turned and gave himself room for a shot which flew into the bottom corner.

Millwall struggled to gain any momentum in the second half but should’ve been awarded a penalty when Ben Cabango handled in the box, but Gavin Ward opted not to award the Lions a spot-kick.

Andreas Voglsammer came on with fifteen minutes to go and nearly scored on his debut when his deft chip hit the bar.

But Millwall don’t know when they’re beaten and in the third minute of stoppage time they pulled one back when Nathan Wood turned into his own net.

Then, with the last kick of the game Scott Malone’s delivery was met at the back post by Kyle Naughton with Tyler Burey breathing down his neck to salvage a late, late point for Millwall.

IMAGE – MILLWALL FC

Millwall head to the Swansea.Com stadium this evening to face Swansea City in their second away match of the season.

The Lions got their second win on the board on the weekend as they beat Coventry City 3-2 at The Den.

The South London club came from two goals down to dramatically turn the game on it’s head to beat the Sky Blues.

The Swans also recorded a victory last time out as they beat Blackpool 1-0 at Bloomfield Road – Oliver Ntcham’s late strike giving them all three points.

Millwall will be without Mason Bennett, Zian Flemming and Tom Bradshaw for the trip to Wales – the former suffering an injury against Coventry.

IMAGE – MILLWALL FC