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Romain Esse signs new long-term Millwall deal

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.

Image: Millwall FC

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Lions host Watford LIVE!

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.

You can follow all the action in our live blog.

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Millwall vs Hull Team News – Rowet name unchanged side.

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

Here is the Hull side.

Image: Millwall FC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Millwall Football Club will be ground sharing with their arch-rivals West Ham United next season, should they secure promotion to the Premier League.

There are rumblings in the football world that two major London clubs, Millwall and West Ham United, may share a stadium for the upcoming 2023/24 season pending certain conditions. While both clubs have not made any official statements, sources familiar with the situation suggest that discussions are currently ongoing, with the Newham Council being notified. However, a spokesperson from the council has stated that the discussions are still in the early stages, and any decision would need to go through a full council meeting before being confirmed.

UPDATE: It has now been heavily rumoured from a source that Millwall Football Club will be ground sharing with their arch-rivals West Ham United next season, should they secure promotion to the Premier League. The decision comes as a result of Millwall’s current stadium, The Den, failing to meet the strict criteria set out by the Premier League for top-flight stadiums.

The rivalry between Millwall and West Ham is one of the most intense in English football, with a long history of violence and animosity between the two sets of fans. Matches between the two clubs have been marred by incidents of hooliganism, with clashes between supporters often leading to arrests and injuries.

The possibility of a ground share has sparked a variety of reactions from different groups, including fans, pundits, local residents, businesses, and law enforcement officials. Some view it as an exciting opportunity for both teams to coexist in a world-class facility, while others see it as a recipe for disaster due to the historical animosity between the two sets of supporters.

Detective Chief Inspector Joseph King, who heads the Football Unit of the Metropolitan Police, has expressed concern over the potential ground share, citing the safety risks involved. He emphasized the need for a careful consideration of the welfare of supporters and the public. Local residents and businesses have also expressed their concerns, fearing increased traffic congestion, noise pollution, and anti-social behaviour in the area.

On the other hand, supporters of both clubs have expressed their excitement at the prospect of the two rivals playing in the same stadium. Some believe that it could lead to a stronger sense of community and a better matchday experience, as fans from different backgrounds come together to support their teams.

Ground sharing is not a new concept in English football, with many clubs opting to share a stadium for various reasons. Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace were the first teams to share a ground, However, in the case of Millwall and West Ham, the stakes are higher due to their intense rivalry.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to proceed with a ground share should be based on a thorough assessment of its impact on all stakeholders. Both clubs will continue to focus on their football and their respective goals for the season, while the possibility of a ground share remains a topic of buzz and speculation in the football world. Stay tuned for further updates on this story.

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Lions secure first win of pre-season.

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 at the 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.

Full Time: Dartford 0-2 Millwall 

Image: Millwall FC

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Millwall lose out in nine goal thriller

Millwall were beaten 5-4 in their first pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace this afternoon.

The Lions fielded two different sides for either half and 22 players got game time in their legs.

The game started fast and Eberechi Eze put the hosts ahead two minutes in before Benik Afobe levelled arrears five minutes later with a snapshot that flew into the top corner.

The Eagles went back in front shortly after when Jordan Ayew slammed home but it was the same story after Afobe once again got Millwall back on level terms after a nice header found the back of the net after an excellent team move.

Just after the hour mark Palace made it three and then four. Goals from Rob Street and Christian Benteke respectively seemed to have put the game out of Millwall’s reach.

But the Lions came roaring back, summer signings Charlie Cresswell and Zian Flemming scored in quick succession to finish off the comeback.

Flemming’s goal being a long range strike that had too much power for the Palace stopper after a nice bit of skill.

With five minutes to go Palace scored the decisive goal when the Lions couldn’t clear their lines and the striker tapped home from close range.

A good run out for the Millwall and plenty of positives to take away with the debutants in particular doing really well.

image @MillwallFc

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Leeds perspective for potential new Millwall signing Jamie Shackleton

 

Millwall look set to sign Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old can also operate as a right-back which will provide competition for Lions academy product Danny McNamara.

We spoke to Paul from Leeds That Podcast:

“Shack is a great player, and desperately needs the game time.

“He started as a CM but Bielsa played him as a right back. He’s versatile but needs game time to find his place

“He’s a work horse. Incredibly fit, agile and fast.

“His weaknesses are lack of game time. Once he’s had a run he’ll start flying and the loan move is really good for him. He’s a really great guy – hard working and really humble. We wish him well.”

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5 players Millwall should sign this Summer.

5 players Millwall should sign this Summer

 

Millwall have faced a tough summer so far, with Mikel Kieftenbeld being the latest of last season’s Lions to depart the club. There is also another issue with many of Millwall’s successful loanees having to go back to their former sides, most notably Benik Afobe and Daniel Ballard, both of whom played a crucial role in a relatively successful 2021/22 season for the Lions.

It is clear that Millwall are going to need to invest in some new faces if we want to compete with the rest of the Championship this season, so I have put together a list of 5 players I would love to see at the Den next season.

 

Dominic Telford (Newport County)

With Benik Afobe going back to Stoke, Jed Wallace almost definitely leaving the club, and both Smith and Bodvarsson leaving in January, there is no doubting the Lions are in desperate need of some attacking options, and despite having a low budget, this would for me be seen as a decent solution to this issue. Even though he spent last year playing League Two football, I feel that Dom Telford would be the perfect Benik Afobe replacement for the summer window. He has not played in the Championship since he was a teen, so this move would no doubt be a risky one. However, with 25 goals in 37 League Two appearances for Newport in League Two last season, I have no doubt that he could bag a few in the Championship next season.

 

Charlie Austin (Free Agent)

Whilst he may not be at the peak of his career, there is no doubt that Charlie Austin still has ability. The English-born striker has done it everywhere in English football, from non-league to the Premier League. There is also an argument for him being a huge asset off the pitch, as he could work on mentoring some of the younger strikers coming up such as Tyler Burey and Isaac Olaofe. There is a guarantee with Austin that if you give him chances, he will find the goal. And with full backs Scott Malone and Danny Mcnamara whipping in crosses, I can’t see a way that Austin wouldn’t be capable of bagging 10 goals next season if he was to move to the Lions.

 

John Mcatee (Grimsby Town)

Even though he was playing non-league football last season, there is no doubt that Mcatee is more than ready for a big move, and whilst his beloved Grimsby Town managed to secure promotion to League Two in 2021/22, the 22 year old would not be able to turn down a move to a Championship club next season. My pick for Non League player of the season last year, Mcatee would be a risk as he has never played at this level, but his creative ability in the No.10 role is something I feel we could seriously use next season in the Championship, especially if Jed Wallace leaves (which is looking more and more likely by the day).

 

Tom Lawrence (Derby County)

Whilst Derby County had an underwhelming end of the season, being relegated to League One, they would have finished mid-table in the Championship had it not been for injuries, meaning that half of their squad at least will be ready to play in the Championship next season, and will have the quality to do so. Whilst Tom Lawrence didn’t hit the heights of previous seasons in 2021/22, there is no doubting that this man has quality. He is also a player of whom Rowett has experience managing, therefore potentially putting the Lions in a fantastic position to be able to sign the Welshman. Also, whilst he has already had a fantastic career, it is easy to forget that he is only 28, meaning that there is still potential for Rowett to have him play a role in this Millwall side for a few years as we push towards our Premier League dream.

 

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Burton Albion)

Seeing as Burton Albion managed to sign Brown on a free from Oldham Athletic in 2021, you would not think he would be one of the players in this list, however since signing for Burton Albion, he has been a massive part of their squad and a solid member of the defense, making 37 appearances for the Brewers in League One. The Lions may need to look to the lower leagues when recruiting players for the upcoming season as Millwall do not have as much disposable income as some other teams in the second tier. The need for a left back is huge for the 2022/23 season, seeing as Murray Wallace has been predominantly used as a centre back recently.

 

Written by Kieran Hill For That Millwall Podcast.

Twitter: @kieranhillfooty