Alex Neil has made sweeping changes to his Millwall side following their 4-0 defeat to Coventry City at The Den on Wednesday night.
Seven new faces come into the starting XI, with Ryan Leonard, Zak Sturge, Femi Azeez, Ballo, Massimo Luongo, Will Smallbone, and Josh Coburn all starting.
Those making way are Wes Harding, Joe Bryan, Camiel Neghli, Aidomo Emakhu, Luke Cundle, Derek Mazou-Sacko, and Mihalio Ivanovic, who all drop to the bench.
Only Steven Benda, Jake Cooper, Tristan Crama, and Billy Mitchell keep their places from the side that was heavily beaten by the Sky Blues.
Millwall suffered defeat for the first time in ten Championship matches as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Coventry City.
Ephron Mason-Clark’s second half effort was enough to seal all three points for Coventry.
It also hands new Coventry head coach Frank Lampard his first victory since taking over at the CBS Arena.
A first half that lacked any rhythm and cohesion from either side. Coventry in just their second game under Frank Lampard in patches looked more comfortable on the ball but neither side were able to really threaten.
Millwall thought they had the lead in the 12th minute, Joe Bryan’s curled the ball into the net directly from a corner but the referee ruled that Macauley Langstaff had fouled City keeper Brad Collins.
In the 37th minute, Langstaff and Femi Azeez combined, with the former’s shot going over the bar.
Coventry had the best chance of the half in the 44th minute, Viktor Torp’s cross found the head of Jack Rudoni, his header was tipped over by Lukas Jensen.
There would be one more effort before the break, Duncan Watmore, charged up the pitch and into space but fired his shot over the bar.
The visitors started the second half the stronger side and as the conditions deteriorated thanks to Storm Darragh it was getting tougher.
The visitors took the lead in the 63rd minute. Mason-Clark was on hand to tuck away Rudoni’s cross.
Millwall responded with Joe Bryan setting up Langstaff but, once again the striker failed to hit the target as frustration grew from the home supporters.
Rudoni was causing plenty of problems, in the 75th minute he set up substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante but his effort was blocked by Leonard. in the 86th minute Bobby Thomas was denied by the post following a Rudoni corner.
Despite a late charge on goal the Lions were unable to find an equaliser.
Romain Esse has agreed to a new long-term deal with Millwall.
The 19-year-old forward from Lambeth had entered the final year of his current contract, raising concerns that rival teams might snap him up. However, those worries have now been put to rest with Esse’s commitment to stay at The Den.
Esse, who is involved with the England U20 setup, is widely regarded as a future star. His potential has already started to turn heads, and he is expected to attract interest from bigger clubs in the coming years. So far, Esse has scored four senior goals, all of which have come away from The Den—at Middlesbrough, Coventry, Portsmouth, and most recently Bristol City in Millwall’s second game of the Championship season.
Having been on the fringes of the first team for the past two seasons, this campaign is set to be his major breakthrough. Esse has started all three of Millwall’s Championship games so far this season, signaling just how highly head coach Neil Harris values him moving forward.
Millwall do not disclose the length of their long term deals.
Follow all the action from The Den as the EFL returns.
The Lins are at home to Watford today as the Championship season kicks off. Millwall will pay tribute to former goalkeeper Matija Sarkic who tragically passed away during the summer aged just 26.
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Millwall were denied an unlikely three points after a stoppage time equaliser for Watford at Vicarage Road.
Just as at Preston in their last away day the Lions started in calamitous fashion. Just five minutes in, It was a shot from Edo Kayembe that was spilled by Bart Bialkowski and Yaser Asprilla was on hand to deflect home the ball for the opening goal.
But just as they did at Deepdale, the Lions hit back. Zian Flemming heading home after Casper De Norre’s cross had been headed on by Tom Bradshaw.
Millwall thought they had sealed the most unlikely of wins in the 85th minute when Wes Harding headed home George Saville’s corner.
But, in stoppage time. Mileta Rajovic broke free and headed past Bialkowksi to ensure a point for the hosts.
The opening exchanges were tentative. Both sides had spells of possession, Flemming forcing the first save of the day from Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann on his 100th appearance for the home side.
Just two minutes later, the home side were in front.
Millwall have conceded some interesting goals, this being the worst of the lot. Bialkowksi would have been very disappointed with the fact he was unable to hold Kayembe’s shot. Cooper also will feel he should have done better. He should have shielded and allowed his keeper to smother rather than try to clear which lead to Asprilla deflecting it in.
Millwall’s response was good. They did not allow themselves to become too frustrated. They settled down and created a good equalising goal.
Danny McNamara combined well with De Norre, the Belgian crossing for Bradshaw to head onto Flemming was well executed. Flemming’s finish was also a smart one. It’s two goals in two away games now for him as well. It’s also four for the season.
After the early excitement the game began to settle down. Both sides having periods of the possession but not causing any real problems. That was until the 26th minute. A Hornets corner was poorly dealt with by the Millwall defence and the ball fell to Asprilla, he was denied by a stunning stop from Bialkowksi.
Vakoun Bayo would have been disappointed he didn’t give the home side the lead before the break, his header from close range failed to test Bialkowksi.
The home side started the second half strongly. Bayo again in the thick of the action. His charging run towards goal ended with his shot deflecting off Wes Harding and past the near post.
Kayeme had caused problems in the first half but this time Bialkowksi was equal to his shot and the home side continued to press for that second goal.
However, Millwall’s ability to stay in the game meant they would always get a chance at some stage. Flemming was presented with a chance, some decent build up play on the left allowed the ball to reach the Dutchman who curled an effort over the bar just after the hour mark.
Two minutes later, a strong run from Norton-Cuffy saw him break into the box, the ball came to substitute Ryan Longman but couldn’t direct his effort on target.
In the 74th minute Matheus Martins was denied by Bialkowski, not in the most convincing way parrying the shot right back into the danger area but the Watford man could not convert the rebound. Imran Loser then pulled a shot wide from Norton-Cuffy’s clearance.
Out of nowhere Millwall took the lead.
For all of Watford’s efforts they were behind. Saville’s corner was headed home by Harding in front of the away end to send the fans into delirium. Moments later Harding should have had his second but his header hit the crossbar as Watford descended into chaos.
However, just as we entered stoppage time Watford got their equaliser. Millwall’s passive defending down the right was exploited. Louza’s cross was headed home by Rajovic after he broke away from Cooper and headed easily past Bialkowksi.
The result see’s Millwall extend their unbeaten away run to five games.
Gary Rowett has named an unchanged side from the one that beat Plymouth on Tuesday to face Hull City this afternoon.
The Lions were 2-0 victors at Home Park on Tuesday night and the manager has decided to stick with the same eleven that started in the South West on Tuesday night.
Danny McNamara and Joe Bryan keep their places at wing-backs. Despite scoring the second goal at Plymouth George Saville starts on the bench.
Tom Bradshaw is back in the matchday squad at the expense of Ryan Longman, he is unable to face his parent club.
Millwall team to face Hull: Bialkowski; McNamara, Leonard, Harding, Cooper, Bryan; Campbell, De Norre; Watmore, Flemming, Nisbet.
Subs: Trueman, Wallace, Mitchell, Norton-Cuffy, Saville, Esse, Honeyman, Emakhu, Bradshaw
My first trip to the Den for our first game away from home this season! Millwall had sold out this game with it not only being their first home game of the season but also to pay respects to the tragic passing of their chairman John Berylson.
In the opening 20 minutes there was no real action for either side.
After a City corner, Millwall looked to counter attack through Duncan Watmore but was dragged to the floor by Joe Williams who was then booked.
2 corners followed for City with Williams seeing his shot blocked and then a brilliant block by Jake Cooper to deny Nahki Wells.
Moments later, Sam Bell was bundled to the ground in the opposing box but his penalty shouts were waved away.
A fairly uneventful half as both sides failed to threaten either goal. I thought both wing-backs had a good half for the hosts, ex-city Joe Bryan and especially Dan McNamara. Cameron Pring looked solid for City also.
The second half began with Jason Knight, who scored 2 in midweek, dink a cross to the far post but Pring couldn’t get a good enough contact on it.
A dangerous tackle from Shaun Hutchinson on Harry Cornick saw him go into the book as the players protested for a red card and the freekick saw Bell’s header hit the side netting.
Anis Mehmeti drove past a few players and then his shot from outside of the box goes just wide of the post.
The usually impressive Zian Flemming came off and on came young Romain Esse who the Millwall fans are very fond of. The 18 year old academy graduate scored a goal to beat Middlesbrough in the opening game of the season.
Ephraim Yeboah, made his league debut for City as the speedy 17 year old came on from the bench.
The 89th minute saw George Saville’s freekick palmed away by Max O’Leary.
In the 94th minute, in the same way we scored on our season opener, Harry Cornick took a long throw-in, but this time, captain Matty James rolled back the years and acrobatically blasted the ball into the bottom corner. What a way to win it!
A draw would’ve been fair as both teams were mediocre throughout, Millwall will be bitterly disappointed to lose in that fashion.
📅12.08.23
🆚Millwall 0-1 Bristol City
🏟️The Den
⚽️Matty James (90+4’)
Romain Esse scored his first Millwall goal as they claimed victory at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the campaign.
Team News
Matija Sarkic made his debut in the Millwall goal. Joe Bryan, Casper De Norre and Kevin Nisbet also made their debuts for the club.
As for Middlesbrough, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Forss started as last year’s top scorer Cuba Akpom was on the bench.
The Match
The Lions started the better of the two sides, with Flemming looking lively, the Dutchman has had plenty of admirers this summer and based on this performance, the Lions will be very happy they still have him in their squad.
The games first chance arrived as early as the fourth minute. Danny McNamara’s cross found debutant Casper De Norre in the box, he teed up Flemming, he curled his shot wide of the far post.
Duncan Watmore, playing against his former club, picked the ball and embarked on a fine run towards goal, his strike deflected away for a corner which produced nothing.
Shaun Hutchinson’s fine run down the right hand side allowed him to cross for Flemming who was unmarked but the Dutchman unfortunately hit an air shot when unmarked.
The home side thought they had taken the lead in the 39th minute, Hayden Hackney finished Matt Crooks’ cross but the linesman’s flag was raised as Crooks failed to keep the ball in play.
Watmore was really enjoying himself and in the 61st minute, he played in Nisbet who was denied superbly by Senny Dieng.
in the 67th minute, Rogers reminded Millwall he is a threat. He received the ball to his feet slipped as he shot, it looked like it was going wide but Murray Wallace’s toe forced the save from Sarkic.
The Lions took the lead in the 79th minute. Two substitutes Aidomo Emakhu and Esse combined brilliantly. Emakahu’s pace saw him break away from his marker and find Esse at the back post who curled in brilliantly to fire the Lions in front.
Boro created a number of chances to try and get an equaliser but they failed to trouble Sarkic in the Millwall goal and the Lions saw out the six minutes of stoppage time.
Millwall claimed their first pre-season victory with a 2-0 win at Dartford.
Goals from Benik Afobe and Tyler Burey rounded off a comfortable night for Gary Rowett’s men in Kent.
Millwall had the game’s first meaningful chance. George Honeyman picked up the ball in midfield and played a great-looking ball for Burey, but the youngster’s touch let him down atthe crucial moment.
The Lions broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Pressure from Tom Bradshaw and Burey ended with Afobe finding the net for the third time in two pre-season matches.
Five minutes later, Dartford almost get themselves level. A quick getaway ends with the Trialist pulling a shot wide of the far post. Two minutes later, the Lions should have doubled their lead, Bradshaw reacting quickest to Jake Cooper’s header into the box, but Dan Wilks denied him.
Burey was looking lively, and 22 minutes in, he nicked the ball in midfield and charged towards goal, but the Darts’ defence upended him. Danny McNamara had a go on 34 minutes, but his shot was wide of the far post.
Half Time: Dartford 0-1 Millwall
Burey again led another counterattack. However, his decision-making let him down as he took too long to release Bradshaw, which resulted in giving the ball away and breaking down the attack.
The Lions began to dominate in the second period. Bradshaw was denied twice before woodwork prevented Cooper from getting onto the scoresheet. Honeyman was also denied by a good save from Wilks. Charlie Cresswell fired the resulting corner wide of the target.
Millwall doubled their lead in the 69th minute, and some strike it was from Burey. He picked the ball up around 22 yards out and curled home a beautiful shot which nestled perfectly in the net.
Cresswell thought he had got Millwall’s third when he headed onto the crossbar. Afobe almost made it three, but he curled an effort wide.
