BY OLLY TOMLIN
Millwall host Ipswich Town at The Den on Saturday in their last pre-season friendly before the Championship campaign gets underway the following weekend against Stoke City.
One of the players that Millwall will need to look to limit the threat of is Wes Burns.
The Welshmen had 18 goal contributions for the Tractor Boys last season as they finished eleventh in League One.
Ipswich’s form so far throughout pre-season has been L/L/W – against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and AFC Wimbledon in that order.
Millwall come off the back of the fixture against Hammarby which ended in a penalty shoot out loss for the Lions on Wednesday evening.
The Lions played a 5-2-1-2 formation and will need to get some form on the score sheet to try to warm up for the upcoming game against Stoke City.
My prediction for this game will be a 3-0 win for Millwall.
I hope to see Rowett play a 5-2-1-2 formation so that Millwall can try and get Flemming settled and into scoring form.
We spoke to Kings Of Anglia who are an Ipswich podcast ahead of the game:
HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO DO THIS SEASON?
It’s Town’s fourth season in Lg1, so there has to be a serious promotion push this campaign. Top six is minimum expectation.
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MANAGER?
Kieran McKenna was largely unheard of when he arrived from Man Utd in December, but has been very impressive. A new breed of boss – calm, analytical and detail driven.
HOW’S YOUR TRANSFER BUSINESS BEEN?
Town have signed five players so far this summer, having inked 19 last year in a crazy overhaul of the squad. This year has been far more focused, and targeted on filling weak spots. Two strikers (Freddie Ladapo and Tyreece John-Jules), a LB (Greg Leigh) CM (Dom Ball) and an AM (Marcus Harness). One or two more – including a ‘marquee’ striker would do nicely.
KEY PLAYER?
Key player is Wes Burns – RWB scored 13 last season and was behind everything good that Town did. Stop Burns – who got called up to Wales after his great season – and you stopped Town last year.
WHO DO WE NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR?
Burns aside, skipper Sam Morsy is a proven Championship performer and probably the best midfielder in Lg1.
WHAT IS YOUR FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY?
Formation last year was 3-4-2-1. It’s been 4-2-3-1 at times this pre season too.
WHAT ARE YOUR FANS LIKE AND WHAT DO THEY EXPECT OF THE PLAYERS?
Fans are very patient and long suffering. They expect a serious promotion push this season.
PREDICTION?
It’s an interesting game and probably Town’s most realistic test of pre-season, having played and lost to Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace. Playing a solid Championship side should give a real insight into where they are heading into the season. Result obviously doesn’t matter, but a win would be nice.
Link to Kings Of Anglia’s podcast – https://audioboom.com/channel/sleepinggiants
IMAGE – Ipswich Town FC