Millwall Move Closer to Automatic Promotion
By: Jeff |
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The Lions pulled even with MK Dons on points with a 1-0 win at The Den. It was the third straight victory for a Millwall team that was hungry for a win at home.
In a game that MFC dominated for the entire first half and much of the second half, the 1-0 result was not quite indicative of the masterful performance. Gary Alexander hit his 9th goal of the season off of a stellar chance created by the most valuable player for Millwall over the past few weeks, James Henry. Manager Kenny Jackett, lined his squad up in a 4-3-3 similar to the formation played in the last victory at Huddersfield. The combination of James Henry and David Martin on the wings and Gary Alexander in the middle proved once again to be the right move.
The Lions are now just 5 points away from automatic promotion. The toughest part of the remaining fixtures comes over the next couple of weeks against league-leaders Leicester City and fellow third place club MK Dons.
If some key players return from injury, namely Paul Robinson and Lewis Grabban, and if there is any way they can extend the loan of James Henry, then the club have a good shot of going on a run that can carry them to promotion.
“Hey Kenny Jackett, you’ve got some work to do, but I like your chances.”
Category: Millwall Team News
Lions Have Shrimp for Dinner
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A torrential downpour and swirling winds could not keep Millwall from earning 3 points at Roots Hall.
It certainly wasn’t what you would call a “beautiful game” with the nasty weather conditions and muddy pitch, but in the end, a 1-0 result over Southend United on the road is still a quality result.
Millwall striker,Gary Alexander, was in the right place at the right time a few minutes before halftime, when he was on the receiving end of a beautiful cross from James Henry. Alexander capitalized on the easy opportunity and proved to be the only goal in a game of struggle and missed opportunity.
The hometown Shrimpers put heavy pressure on the Millwall defense throughout the second half, but could not slip one past Man-of-the-match, Millwall keeper, Danny Forde. Forde showed off his skills and leadership qualities as he single-handedly kept Southend from scoring even though they had several chances. The lack of captain and central defender, Paul Robinson, has proven to be the biggest void in the club. If the Lions can hold their position and earn a playoff spot, then they should get Robbo back in time to battle for promotion.
Now with 58 points, Millwall sit in the driver’s seat for the playoffs. They have 2 games in hand over most of the other contenders and the boys in blue have some key players returning from injury.
Look for another tough matchup on Saturday away to Huddersfield Town.
Category: Millwall Team NewsLate Heartbreaker for Millwall
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After not showing up in the first half on Saturday at the Den, the Lions fought back only to lose all 3 points in the 92nd minute.
Manager Kenny Jackett, in his post-game interview, was clearly disappointed with the loss and voiced his opinion on how poorly the team played in the first 45. It wasn’t until the 56th minute, when Neil Harris converted a penalty, that the gaffer and home supporters had faith that their boys would survive. Ashley Grimes, in top form as of late, added the equalizer in the 68th on a bending blast.
Misery arrived in injury time, when winger Chris Taylor headed in a cross past Millwall keeper, David Forde.
The club is obviously missing their captain Paul Robinson as well as regulars Lewis Grabban and Gary Alexander. The first half defensive performance was lackluster to say the least. Giving up 2 goals in the first 10 minutes will not win anyone in the Millwall defense a spot on the League One “team of the week” for sure.
Things do not get any easier in the next matchup this Tuesday, as the Lions face 13th place Southend United. Yes, the table position is not that impressive, but the Blues from Roots Hall have won 5 out of their last 6, including consecutive wins over promotion contenders Peterborough and Scunthorpe United.
The positives…..Ashley Grimes is playing very well and should continue to score goals and some of the injured players are working their way back into the fold, including Gary Alexander and Lewis Grabban.
Come on you Lions!!
Category: Millwall Team NewsMillwall Climbs Towards Promotion
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Moving up the table to 4th place after “Terrific Tuesday” for Millwall fans around the world, the Lions are in perfect position to challenge for promotion to the Championship.
Yesterday was a critical day for MFC and everything seemed to go their way. First off, the boys took care of lowly Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road, and then Scunthorpe, Stockport and Oldham all went on to lose.
Now just 6 points behind MK Dons for the coveted automatic-promotion spot, can the Lions continue the winning ways and build on a streak? Coming off a run of 5 games without a win, conventional wisdom would say no, but longtime Millwall supporters might say otherwise.
Manager Kenny Jackett will be relying heavily on the Millwall “veterans”, if they qualify as that, such as Grabban, Alexander, Harris and McLeod up front. The loss of newcomer Vincent Pericard for the rest of the season, after Tuesday’s achilles rupture, leaves the club wondering what could have been.
There’s an old saying in sports. “You have to run with the horses that got you this far.”
If Kenny can show commitment and loyalty to those men that brought them this far through the season, and stop adding every Tom, Dick, and Vincent, then maybe just maybe, those same men will play with unity and reward the gaffer with a move up to the Championship.
Category: Millwall Team NewsPlayoff Chances Falling Fast…
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Going into today’s match against Brighton, Millwall had a strong hold on the 6th and final playoff spot.
A disappointing, or maybe what should be described as downright discouraging, loss to relegation-candidate Brighton has left Lions fans wondering what will become of their club for the remainder of the season.
The managerless Seagulls came into the Den with only 28 points on the season and in a firm position for relegation to League 2 next season. Manager Micky Adams left the team without a gaffer a day before. However, the gulls did not appear to be low in morale.
Brighton goalkeeper Michel Kuipers was outstanding between the pipes, in what was easily a “Man of the Match” performance. A late 73rd minute header from Adam Virgo proved to be the nail in the coffin for our boys in blue.
5 matches without a win has manager Kenny Jackett scratching his head in disbelief. The last 2 have been especially painful against 2 bottom-of-the-table clubs and both at home in South London.
Next up: Away at Cheltenham – Cheltenham just suffered their 5th straight defeat at the hands of Leeds .
I don’t know if this really matters with the way the Lions have performed over the last month. The constant changing of personnel by Jackett, has created a lockerroom of uncertainty and a lack of cohesion. Not to mention the boys’ fitness has not been there late in games.
Do you think Millwall will be able to stay up in the top 6 by the end of the season?
Henry Earns a Point for Millwall
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Newcomer, James Henry, saved the Lions by hitting a dramatic equalizer in the 91st minute on a 35-yard blast. The young midfielder was the hero of South London tonight, and kept the club on pace for a playoff spot.
It looked like a sure upset for Swindon Town at the Den following the Billy Paynter header in the 42nd. Swindon refused to relenquish the lead until late into injury time.
Neil Harris and Lewis Grabban, recently returned from injury, got the starting nod up top for the first time in several weeks. Both players looked inconsistent and did not produce quality chances on goal, as the whole team looked disillusioned from the start.
Millwall will find themselves lucky to come away with the draw after such a lackluster performance. The lads must find their composure and creative form in time for another match at the Den on Saturday against relegation candidates, Brighton.
Category: Millwall Team NewsMust Win for Lions
By: Jeff | 2 Comments
David Martin will serve a game suspension to add to the list of unavailables going into this crucial matchup with a Swindon Town team that currently sits in the bottom half of the table.
With 2 losses and a draw to show for results from the last 3 matches, Millwall FC are in desperate need of a win. They are currently 3 points clear of Leeds in the final playoff position with 2 games in hand, but things have begun to slip as of late. A victory on Tuesday would bring things back to order at the Den.
Coming off of a draw that should have been a victory against League One leaders Leicester, Swindon Town are sure to be a tough test. Their recent run of form has been impressive with a 3-2 win over Walsall and draws with top-of-the-table clubs Oldham and the aforementioned Leicester.
3 Keys for Millwall:
- McLeod has to continue to find open spaces in the area to offer consistent scoring opportunities.
- Marc Laird needs to come back from suspension and fill the void left by David Martin being ruled out.
- Tight marking on Simon Cox. This fella is a legitimate scoring threat with 16 League One goals so far this season. He has great pace and vision. Millwall’s defense, missing its captain, must play deep to control this young striker.
Category: MatchupsFive Things Millwall Must Do to Win Promotion
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With 18 games left in the League One regular season, we attempt to answer the questions, and trust me, there are some questions surrounding the club’s recent run of form and fitness.
These are the 5 things the Lions must do if they are to move up to the Championship.
1. Zak Whitbread and Richard Duffy need to fill the void left as a result of the injury to captain Paul Robinson.
2. Kenny Jackett needs to put the right players in the right positions. He has had a tendency lately for playing the boys out of their natural roles.
3. The strikers need to be consistent. Izale McLeod, Gary Alexander, Neil Harris, and the injured Lewis Grabban need to find consistent form. I look for McLeod and Grabban to be the most consistent.
4. Fitness, fitness and more fitness. Key players are injured and need to get back in the starting eleven. Paul Robinson and Lewis Grabban are the two at top of mind.
5. The attacking midfielders need to pick up their pace. There has been some lack of speed on the outside and some challenges getting the ball crossed into the box.
Even if all 5 of these things fall into place perfectly, there is still a need for Lady Luck to rent a flat in South London.
Category: Millwall Team News10 Man Millwall Draw at Stockport
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Manager Kenny Jackett and Millwall FC suffered absolute heartbreak after what appeared to be a surefire victory on the road at Stockport.
Izale McLeod, who has recently been added to the starting eleven due to the Lewis Grabban injury, scored his first 2 goals in a Millwall shirt. He first put the Lions on top in the 17th minute and added another via penalty in the 53rd. It was great to see him pull himself out of a 14 month scoring drought.
The splendor converted to absolute misery late in the 68th minute when David Martin was sent off for his second offense. Things only turned from bad to worse thereafter, when Stockport’s Matty McNeil came off the bench and put the first one past David Forde in the 79th. Four minutes later Oli Johnson added the equalizer that would keep the match even to the end.
This draw sets the club back two points off of the rest of the playoff contenders, but still within the postseason grouping.
The pace is getting better and the new additions of Henry and McLeod to the starting lineup are promising. Winning ways are not far away for these Lions. Fitness and cohesion are the key factors to be addressed in near term training objectives.
Category: Millwall Team News
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