By Millwall Fans, for Millwall Fans.
Good afternoon and welcome to this evening’s live coverage of Millwall’s first round of the EFL Cup match against Cambridge United.
The Lions head to the Abbey Stadium on the back of a 2-0 victory against Stoke City at The Den on Saturday.
STAY TUNED FOR LIVE UPDATES BEFORE, THROUGHOUT AND AFTER THE GAME:
Millwall travel to Abbey Stadium on Tuesday night to face Cambridge United in the first round of the EFL Cup.
The Lions visit the League One outfit on the back of their 2-0 victory against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon in their first game of the 2022-23 Championship season.
Charlie Cresswell scored both – one in either half – to secure all three points and propel Millwall to top of the league after one game.
The U’s come into the midweek contest on the back of a 1-0 victory against MK Dons on the weekend – Harvey Knibbs with the only goal of the game inside the opening seventeen minutes.
The two sides met in the competition last season when Millwall beat Cambridge 3-1 at The Den courtesy of two goals from Murray Wallace and a goal from Matt Smith.
The game kicks off at 7:45PM tomorrow night – August 2.
We spoke to a Cambridge fan ahead of the game:
How do you expect it to go for your club this season?
I think we’ll do alright – I expect us to finish somewhere in the middle of the table, hopefully with another cup run thrown in!
Do you have the right manager?
Absolutely. Bonner’s a boyhood Cambridge fan who stood on the terraces as a youngster. He’s never played professional football, instead working his way up through coaching youngsters before taking over in early 2020 just as the pandemic hit. He’s since led us to Promotion and our highest league finish in twenty years.
How’s your transfer business?
Pretty good, we kept most of the team together from last season and we moved to bring in some decent looking players. Bonner has a bit of a ‘type’ in players that perhaps hadn’t had a move work out elsewhere so now have something to prove, and so far he’s had more hits than misses.
Key Player?
It really depends who starts, but Joe Ironside leads from the front and puts in a shift in every game, and Paul Digby is a rock in the heart of our midfield.
Who do we need to watch out for and why?
Again, I’m not sure how many changes Bonner is going to make, but the attacking duo of Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs can both hurt teams.
What formation and style of play do you play?
We normally play with just one central striker, and a number 10 flanked by wider attackers behind them. Two holding midfielders ahead of a back four. We’ve never really had the squad depth to play in much of a different way but this season we’ve added a few more players to the squad, as well as brought through some youth prospects so we could mix it up if we need to. Our teams like to get forward when on the ball, but are also quite happy just to soak up other teams who have lots of possession.
What are your fans like and what do they expect of the players?
I’m sure everyone says it, but our fans are some of the best in the league. We’re not a big club, or even a particularly well-supported one, but we travel in decent numbers and make a lot of noise when we need to. Bonner has a lot of credit with the fans so we don’t expect to win every game, but we know the players are going to fight for points out on the pitch.
How do you think the game will go and a prediction for the result?
It’s hard to say. Bonner has hinted at some squad rotation and the Carabao Cup isn’t really a priority for us due to the lack of prize money involved. I think we’ll give you a good game, but your class will probably shine through by the end of the match. 2-1 Millwall.
Thanks to Owen from Under The Abbey Stand
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http://www.undertheabbeystand.com
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Millwall beat Stoke City 2-0 in their first match of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Lions boasted the third best home record last season and picked that straight back up with the win against the Potters.
Millwall started really well and nearly went ahead early on when Benik Afobe couldn’t reach George Honeyman’s cross.
But a couple of minutes later, they were ahead, Honeyman’s corner was met by a bullet header from Charlie Cresswell to give the South London club the lead.
Stoke grew into the game as the half went on and nearly levelled when Tyrese Campbell’s shot was fumbled by Bart Bialkowski, only for the Polish stopper to retrieve it.
Just after the restart, the Lions thought they had a second when Tom Bradshaw volleyed home but it was disallowed.
Not to worry Cresswell was there again five minutes later, when a volley of his own found the back of the net off a Scott Malone corner.
That’s how it stayed and Millwall get off to a winning start and sit top of the Championship table.
STOP THE COUNT!
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BY BEN ANDREWS
Millwall announced the signing of attacking midfielder George Honeyman on June 28 from Hull City, on a long-term contract.
A product of the Sunderland academy, Honeyman made his debut for the Wearside outfit in February 2015 against Bradford City in the FA Cup. The 27-year-old sealed a move to Hull City in 2019 for an undisclosed fee.
Honeyman played a huge part in Hull City’s League One title-winning campaign in 20/21, scoring 4, assisting 14, and printing his name in the League One team of the season.
Last season, Honeyman ended as the Tigers’ joint second top scorer with 5 goals, along with 4 assists, in a Hull City side that quite comfortably stayed up in the end, although they finished in 19th position.
All of Honeyman’s goals last season were scored inside the box, and in total, he attempted 18 shots, with half of them on target. The Englishman averaged a goal contribution every 333 minutes last term.
Away from goals and assists, Honeyman offers vast Championship experience and a high work ethic. He likes to drift out wide and deliver balls into the box – he also adds leadership into the dressing room after wearing the captain’s armband for Sunderland and Hull.
Honeyman has the attributes of a top midfielder in the Championship and will fit in Gary Rowett’s side well. The Northumberland-born midfielder impressed massively during his time in East Yorkshire and will no doubt shine again for the Lions as they look to break into the play-offs this campaign.
Honeyman will likely start in the centre of the park alongside someone like George Saville or Billy Mitchell, with Zian Flemming in front. Although Honeyman is predominantly an attacking midfielder, he is comfortable with dropping deeper.
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BY OLLY TOMLIN
Millwall host Stoke City in their first Championship game of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Lions will be looking to get off to a winning start against the Potters and aiming for the top-six in Gary Rowett’s third full season in charge.
One of the players that Millwall will need to look to limit the threat of is Jacob Brown.
This player has contributed to 17 Goals + Assists and Millwall come off the back of the fixture against Ipswich playing a 5-2-1-2 formation and will need to create chances if they want any chance to win this match.
My prediction for this game will be a 2-1 win to the Lions
I hope to see Rowett play a 5-2-1-2 formation so that Millwall can get the scoring form going.
HERE’S WHAT A STOKE FAN SAID:
How do you expect it to go for your club this season?
Really can’t call it right now to be honest, our pre season has been a bit disappointing and we clearly have not yet clicked yet. Michael O’Neill is under huge pressure from the fans this season so he needs to start well for his own sake but I personally feel that he will come good and once the team have settled and IF players can stay fit then we have a chance to make a mark. Importantly we need to find an identity something that has been missing for far too long, we don’t know if we are a direct team, on the deck team or something else, no doubt injuries are to blame up to now but there feels an element of apathy around the place right now. My early prediction and one that no doubt is clouded by my red tinted glasses but I am going to say sneaking into 6th place but sadly would be equally unsurprised to see a 10-14th place finish again.
Do you have the right manager?
Wow where to start here. When Nathan Jones left he did so in an awful mess bottom of the league, a dreadful points total (only 1 other team have ever survived with that total) and a st of players who didn’t care less, when MON came in we were all were convinced league 1 was on the cards. MON came in and transformed us grinding out results and some very impressive scorelines along the way which meant he guided us into what was a comfortable finishing position. Since then his main aims have been to move out a huge amount of players who didn’t want to play for the club and ones who were on obscene salaries that no championship club could pay, this meant we were on the cusp of FFP sanctions and no room to pay fees or get the players we want. Luckily we have managed to do some creative (but legal) accounting and sold one of our assets to get on the right side of this and we have slowly been moving those wasters on and have brought in younger hungrier players, which while positive was our weakness last season as inexperience cost us 30 points from winning positions. His style of play seems to be a wing back system which is fair enough but we look slow and laboured at times so he needs to find an identity and stick to it and find a plan B when things don’t go right on the pitch. I do think he is a good manager and I don’t think the other names people are asking for would improve us in any way but another mid table finish will spell the end for him as the fans will hound him out and no doubt the owners would have to buckle under the pressure.
How’s your transfer business?
Yes positive we have now brought in 7 people to the team and are likely to find another 1 or 2 coming in before the end of the window. Main highlights for me have been Dwight Gayle, Harry Clarke & Will Smallbone. Dwight we know at this level was prolific a few years ago and if he can hit those heights on his return to the league and gets the supply then he could be the envy of every club in this league. Harry Clarke has filled the void left by Tommy Smith at RWB, an attacking full back who seems to have the ability, the pace and attitude that stoke have needed at that RWB spot for a while so hopefully he can make his mark. Smallbone is a loanee from Southampton which quit frankly very few people know much about, Southampton have been raving about him and have sent him out to get some much needed game time. An attacking midfielder who could finally be the replacement for Nick Powell who while a great player is always injured. He came on in our last pre season game and was integral to our best two attacking moments including 1 goal so more of the same needed! Overall yes happy with business so far but we still need a target man to suit our wingback style of play and probably wing back cover for Clarke which im sure we will address so I give it a solid 7/10 so far.
Key Player?
Our key player is going to be Tyrese Campbell, he has come back looking lean and very fit after a long layoff but prior to this was the most inform striker outside of Brereton Diaz. Pre-season he scored a few tidy goals and linking up play well and has his pace back all attributes that make Tyrese an absolute nightmare for defenders, so seems like he could be back on his way to the levels before. He could well be up there with top goalscorers if he gets the supply!
What formation and style of play do you play?
5-3-2 / 3-5-2 with pacey attacking full backs seems to be his main go too since he starting building his own team. The formation when it works well is great and Tymon knows how to cross a ball so with a fit strike force could be deadly BUT it is also one bone of contention among fans as it feels like quite a slow pace at times and we struggle to break teams down when having the ball, especially those who sit in. We are at our best when letting other teams have possession and then we aim to quickly turn it over and hit teams with pace on the break.
What are your fans like and what do they expect of the players?
When we are good we are great, when we are split (like now) we sadly spend more time fighting with each other playing the whose right / whose wrong game meaning we don’t back our own team. Stoke fans are known for being the loudest around but quite frankly that is as present as our bet365 fortress tagline i.e. none existent in recent times. Stoke fans ask for players who play with heart and give everything, we don’t expect to win every game but having been stuck with players who didn’t care two jots about us or the club the fans probably feel a little disillusioned. We can get our atmosphere back and I hope we do because its hair raising stuff when we are behind them. It needs to start by fans just giving MON and the team a chance before writing them off and then the lads need to perform on the pitch!
How do you think the game will go and a prediction for the result?
Very hard fought game, we don’t have a good history in London whatsoever and I fully expect a cagey start. If we can stop you scoring early then a close 1-1 with be the outcome, who knows maybe one of us sneaks it. I wish I could say a win with confidence but I think we are a team very much a ‘work in progress’ and not going to be at our best for a few weeks yet, you could well play us at the perfect time.
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BY KIERAN HILL
The team I would start to begin the 2022/23 season VS Stoke.
After a long and tough pre- season, the Lions will finally get their Championship campaign underway against Midlands side Stoke, who are expected to play a variation of a 3-5-2 formation, with the wingbacks acting as part of the 5 in midfield. As this is a very highly anticipated game for the Lions, I have selected the starting XI in which I would field to attempt to out-magic the Potters.
GK: Bartosz Bialkowski
First name on the team sheet, and probably Gary Rowett’s easiest choice out of the whole 11. Bialkowski is an essential member of any Lions team, his shot stopping ability is second to none, and the Polishman has truly established himself as one of the best all-round keepers in the division since moving to Millwall from Portman Road.
RWB: Danny McNamara
When McNamara went on loan to ST Johnstone in the 2020/21 season, nobody was expecting him to come back the next season and have the impact on the team that he did. The Irishman was one of Millwall’s best players last season, and as well as being a significant reason as to why our defensive record held up so well, he also managed to get 6 G/A in all competitions.
CB: Jake Cooper
Cooper is not only one of the best no-nonsense centre backs in the Championship, but the English centre-half also has a knack of scoring massive goals, including one particular last minute winner at Brammall Lane last season in which lives long in the memories of all 650 Millwall fans that were in attendance that night.
CB: Shaun Hutchinson
Captain fantastic, mister consistent, call this man what you want! He will give his all for this football club and that is why the fans and manager have so much respect and love for this man, the fact that he is fit for the first game of the season is a blessing to Millwall. An essential starter!
CB: Charlie Cresswell
It’s fair to say that the Leeds loanee has impressed all Millwall fans during pre-season, whether that be his goalscoring ability being on show with that header against Crystal Palace, or some of his stellar defensive displays, the 19 year old has proved that he is going to be some player for the lions this season, and therefore starts for me against Stoke City on Saturday.
LWB: Murray Wallace
This one really does not need any explaining, as Murray Wallace was voted by fans as Millwall’s player of the season for 2021/22. The Scottish centre-back turned wing back was a key reason for us conceding less than a goal a game, and towards the end of the season began to show his attacking abilities when Rowett began to play him as a wing back!
CM: George Saville
Currently on his second spell at the club, George Saville is one of those players who is consistently above average, his performances never tend to drop below a six, hence why he is so often a key feature in Gary Rowett’s sides.
CM: George Honeyman
During spells at Sunderland and Hull City, Honeyman was always known as a “dog” in the midfield, who didn’t necessarily play the prettiest football, however was willing to die on the pitch for the badge, which is exactly what the Millwall fans will want from a box-to-box midfielder this season. I feel that Honeyman will be the perfect addition to the midfield and by the time we get to Christmas will be everyone’s “go to” favourite central midfielder!
CAM: Zian Flemming
Standing tall at 6 foot 4, our record signing “The Bermondsey Bergkamp” is the nickname being given regarding the Dutch attacking midfielder, Zian Flemming. It is with good reason that he has been given this nickname, seeing as the Dutchman produced 16 G/A in 28 Eredivisie appearances (more than Manchester United target Antony). Even though he is the Lions’ record signing, £1.6million seems a small price to pay for such a talent.
ST: Benik Afobe
The obvious choice up front. Seeing as last season Afobe managed to bag 12 goals in the Championship alone, and Millwall fans will now be hopeful that with the likes of Flemming and Honeyman coming into the squad, he may be able to score even more this season!
ST: Tom Bradshaw
For my second striker option, I am sticking by the Welshman! This is because I feel that his goalscoring record was good last season even though he struggled with various injuries. I believe that if both can keep fit, we could see this pair (Benik and Bradders) get 30 goals between them in the Championship this season!
Millwall drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon in their final pre-season friendly.
The Lions took the lead through Benik Afobe in the first-half when George Honeyman’s pressing meant he forced the visitors into a mistake and Afobe slotted home.
Following that, the South London club nearly made it two when new summer signing Jamie Shackleton’s touch and pass just evaded Benik Afobe at the back post.
After the break, the Lions struggled to gain any momentum in the midfield and the the Tractor Boys subsequently equalised just prior to the hour mark when Ryan Leonard’s tackle deflected into the path of Freddie Ladapo who fired in to the bottom corner.
The visitors were level and had the momentum and would’ve been ahead if not for some super stops by Bart and the woodwork being there.
But it ended 1-1 and Millwall now look forward to their first game of the season against Stoke City next weekend.
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Millwall midfielder Billy Mitchell has reportedly agreed a new long-term contract with the club.
The Lions academy product has scored one goal in 47 appearances for the South London Club since making his debut back in May 2019.
Now, Richard Cawley of the South London Press is reporting that Mitchell is set to sign a new Millwall deal.
The report adds that the contract will be signed over the weekend.
The 21-year-old had an average of 1.24 successful dribbles last season whilst also making 3.65 ball recoveries per game.
To add to that Mitchell made 15 defensive actions per game of which 9.34 were successful.
The midfielder also showed his strength in duels as he came out on top 2.88 times per game last season defensively, whilst winning 2.99 offensively.
STATS PROVIDED BY – COMPARISON ATOR
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BY BEN ANDREWS
Zian Flemming signed for Millwall on June 25 from Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard for a club-record fee of £1.7million. The Dutch playmaker penned a long-term contract at The Den off the back of two consecutive 12-goal seasons.
Flemming has been one of the most effective attacking midfielders in the Eredivisie in the last couple of seasons. A run of six goals in his last six games ensured Fortuna’s safety and printed his name in the whoscored.com Team of the Season.
Looking at his offensive stats, Flemming averaged 0.5 goals per 90 with 3.4 shots and 1.1 dribbles per game last campaign. His 12 goals ranked him 11th in the Eredivisie top scorer chart, above Manchester United target Antony. Although he is predominantly right-footed, three of Flemming’s goals in the 21/22 campaign were scored with his left foot.
Long shots are also a big part of Flemming’s game, along with his free kicks. As expected from someone who came through the ranks at Ajax, his technical ability is second to none. His first touch is impressive and he is very confident with the ball at his feet. He also seems to be a threat in the air, making him a very much all-rounded player.
So, how does Zian Flemming compare to Jed Wallace? Obviously, Flemming has big boots to fill, but when you spend large sums of money on players you will get quality in return. The two are quite different players – Wallace was more of a provider for the Lions and was played out wide, while Flemming predominantly plays in the attacking midfield role.
Flemming will definitely add goals to Gary Rowett’s side, along with everything you would expect from a player at the 10 role. It may take time for Flemming to adapt to the physical nature of the Championship, but he was performing against top sides such as Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord in his native country.
In conclusion, Millwall’s new playmaker will be a top addition to the side. He still has a lot to prove and time to grow, and Millwall is a great club to do that at. He has an eye for goal but will also link up well with the likes of Tom Bradshaw and Benik Afobe in front of him. Rowett’s side narrowly missed out on the play-offs last term, and obviously, some key players have departed the side since; however, the incomings over the summer show the ambition to finally reach the play-offs.
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BY KIERAN HILL
Tom Bradshaw – set up for a season to remember?
Last season was relatively successful for the Lions, finishing in 9th position with 69 points, 6 points off the playoffs. However, a key issue from within the squad was a lack of goal threat from the strikers, due to the lack of creativity coming from the midfield.
With Wallace now at West Brom, we need a marksman to step up to the task of becoming Millwall’s main provider, and I believe that along with Benik Afobe, the Welsh striker could just be the man to do so this season.
Why this Season?
This summer has seen Millwall more active in the transfer window than many seasons before this, with the likes of Afobe (on a permanent), Flemming, Honeyman, and Leeds loanee’s Cresswell and Shackleton being brought into SE16.
This therefore gives some of the existing squad members a chance to push on and become even better than they were last season. One player I feel that will particularly benefit from some of the summer signings is Tom Bradshaw.
If he can stay injury-free, he is known to be a prolific striker for the Lions, scoring 9 goals in 24 Championship games last season, which is a decent record to have in a league as competitive as the Championship. With better service expected next season, there is certainly room for improvement.
I feel that this season Bradshaw can go and exceed all previous seasons and become one of the best number nine’s in the whole league, due to the additional service he will hopefully get. Standing tall at 6 foot 4, our record signing “The Bermondsey Bergkamp” is the nickname being given regarding the Dutch attacking midfielder, Zian Flemming.
It is with good reason that he has been given this nickname, seeing as the Dutchman produced 16 G/A in 28 Eredivisie appearances (more than Manchester United target Antony). Even though he is the Lions’ record signing, £1.7million seems a small price to pay for such a talent.
Therefore, if Flemming and Bradshaw can link up well in the attacking third of the park, I see no reason as to why the Welshman cannot score 20 goals in the Championship next season!
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