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.
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.
Neil Harris was delighted with his side’s performance in their 1-0 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday night.
The Lions fielded a youthful side at Fratton Park and won the game thanks to one of those academy talents in Romain Esse.
Esse started alongside Aidomo Emakhu and Alfie Massey as Harris made six changes to the side that lost to Watford on the opening day of the Championship season.
“There are some real positives tonight. The first is that we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves on the back of a late winner against us when we’ve clearly deserved to win the game on Saturday. We bounced back in the correct manner. The huge professionalism the boys showed early on Sunday morning, when I got them in, and on Monday before coming down today.
“More vital, probably, than that is the performances of the three young lads in the team tonight. Romain to score the goal, Aidomo to show glimpses of his raw power, pace and directness but also Alfie Massey made his debut for the football club tonight. That will be very special for him and his family.”
Harris’ side were very rarely threatened by the home side as they defended superbly and prevented Pompey from even having a shot on target.
Harris said. “We were the better team. Portsmouth had some good pressure second half and when people looked at the size and names on the teamsheet it might not have been renowned as a Millwall team or a Neil Harris team here – we went a little bit younger and faster tonight. We knew set-plays were going to be a real avenue for them. I told the lads: “You’re outsized – apart from Jake (Cooper). You’re not the biggest team, but you’re going to have to dig in and do a job. Their only chances came from set-plays.”
Millwall’s Championship season began in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 defeat at home to Watford, decided by a late goal in a thrilling encounter at The Den.
The match was marked by an emotional tribute to former Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who tragically passed away at the age of 26 over the summer. Both sets of players and fans came together to honor his memory before kick-off.
First Half
The Lions started brightly, with Joe Bryan delivering dangerous balls into the box and Tom Bradshaw drawing a foul from Francisco Sierralta, resulting in an early yellow card for the Watford defender. However, Millwall failed to capitalize on the subsequent free-kick, setting the tone for a frustrating afternoon.
Despite Millwall’s strong start, Watford began to assert themselves midway through the first half, with Moussa Sissoko dominating the midfield. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Edo Kayembe’s looping corner found its way directly into the net, catching Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen off guard and giving the visitors the lead.
Millwall nearly responded immediately, but Bradshaw’s header went wide and George Honeyman’s effort hit the post, with Ryan Porteous clearing the rebound off the line to preserve Watford’s advantage.
Second Half
Millwall’s misfortune continued after the break, as George Saville was denied by the woodwork from a Honeyman free-kick. Then, in the 55th minute, Watford doubled their lead through Giorgi Chakvetadze, who unleashed a stunning 30-yard free-kick that left Jensen with no chance.
Refusing to surrender, Millwall pushed forward, and substitute Aidomo Emakhu injected some energy into the side. Emakhu’s cross in the 74th minute found Duncan Watmore, who fired in off the crossbar to pull one back for the Lions.
The momentum was firmly with Millwall, and they completed their comeback two minutes from time when Watmore scored again, slotting home George Saville’s pass to level the match at 2-2.
However, the home side’s joy was short-lived. In the dying moments, Watford substitute Rajovic headed in a deflected cross to snatch a 3-2 victory for the visitors, leaving Millwall to rue their missed opportunities and defensive lapses.
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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In the latest episode of ‘Chat with Chapz’ rather than the usual deep dive into the latest game, ‘Chapz’ looks at the problems both on and off the pitch which have resulted in the lions being 21st in the league with only 4 points keeping us out of the relegation zone.
The debate has rolled on since the damaging defeat on Wednesday night, whether the board, Joe Edwards, the players or a combination of all 3 are the main cause of issues surrounding the club. Chapz points out and goes into detail on;
– The boards lack of nous in the transfer market which has seen us struggling to recoup any transfer funds over recent times and lack of investment in the playing squad
– Joe Edwards and his struggles to implement the style of football he wants to with the group of players at his disposal (and seemingly unable or unwilling to change from that style)
– The worrying statistics that have led to the lions slipping further down the table including one that has gone on over 16 months!
– The worrying form and ability of the playing squad, specifically Jake Cooper, Matija Sarkic and the curious case of Alan Campbell
– The lack of experience in key areas across the club’s management and recruitment teams
Plus, much much more!
The underlying message and tone from Chapz, is one of deep concern and worry that this will be our last season in The Championship, Joe Edwards is perhaps the right manger at the wrong time and there’s substantial evidence and reasoning as to why we are in trouble both on and off the pitch.
Do you agree with Chapz? Is there any one area/individual that deserves take more of the blame right now? Is there any hope left for the lions?
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
Millwall hit the road once again to take on Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday lunchtime. In a game live on Sky Sports.
The lions will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a quite frankly pathetic performance at home to Reading which saw them lose 4-0 and crash out of the EFL cup. This being followed up by a very lacklustre performance at the den to Bristol City in a game that was decided by a last minute Matty James winner for the visitors.
David Wagner’s Norwich City on the other hand are currently undefeated in the league, winning 2-1 at home to Hull City on the opening day and followed that up with an insane 4-4 draw at St Mary’s against recently relegated Southampton. If Gary Rowett’s side are to get a win at Norwich it will be the first time a Millwall side has won at Carrow Road since November 1968.
Ones to watch
Gabriel Sara was on the scoresheet last time these 2 sides met, scoring a spectacular goal in a 3-2 win for the canaries back in March. A highly rated winger, the Millwall defence could have their work cut out trying to tame him. Another player the lions will want to keep at bay is Josh Sargent who scored a brace in this fixture at Carrow Road last season.
The hosts also recruited striker Ashley Barnes in the summer on a free transfer after he left Burnley and scored against Millwall for the clarets last season in a 1-1 draw. At the den A big target man, Millwall will need to be on their toes to make sure he doesn’t haunt them once again.
The difference makers
As this game is live on Sky, it would be rude for Tom Bradshaw not to get on the scoresheet. He loves playing in front of the cameras as last season showed. Netting 2 hat tricks against Watford and Sheffield United and a brace against Blackpool. As well as scoring against Luton Town as well. As well as this, Bradders also scored the opener in the last match but unfortunately also scored an own goal as well. Hopefully the latter doesn’t happen on Sunday!
Zian Flemming also scored in this fixture last season from a corner and is due to get a goal soon and open his account for the season.
The last time we met
An unfortunate Tom Bradshaw own goal, as well as goals from Gabriel Sara and Jacob Sorensen saw Norwich City take all 3 points back to East Anglia in an entertaining 3-2 game. As well as the own goal, Bradshaw opened the scoring for the lions with Zian Flemming pulling the hosts back into the game. But sadly it was too little too late.
What the bookies think
Given the history of this fixture and Norwich’s dominance over Millwall at Carrow Road as well as their start to the season, it’s no surprise that SkyBet have made them the favourites heading into this one. Norwich can be backed at 1/1 with 11/4 if you favour a Millwall win.
