NewsAtDen Magazine Issue 04

ISSUE

04

JORDAN ARCHER ”Fordey has been brilliant“

CONTENTS

4 8 20 30

6 10 22 32

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

JORDAN ARCHER: “FORDEY HAS BEEN BRILLIANT”

GREGORY ENJOYS TACTICAL TWEAK

PREVIEW CHESTERFIELD

NEWS

NEWS

THREE QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND

NEWS

MILLWALL WILL BE FLEXIBLE IN APPROACH THIS SEASON SAYS HARRIS

MILLWALL FIGHT FOR FIRST CLEAN SHEET: THREE THINGS WE LEARNT

INTERVIEW

SCUNTHORPE 0 - 0 MILLWALL

MILLWALL BOSS: IT WASN’T AN EASY DECISION TO DROP FORDE

REPORT

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EXCLUSIVE

JORDAN ARCHER:

”FORDEY HAS BEEN BRILLIANT“

BY JAY TAYLOR

M

ILLWALL goalkeeper Jordan Archer has described David Forde’s attitude to being dropped against Scunthorpe last Saturday as “brilliant”.

Archer made his league debut for the Lions and gave a man-of-the-match performance against the Iron in a goalless draw.

carried away with his performance, stressing it is part of his job to make important blocks.

He admitted he is still learning to be more vocal on the pitch, but understand that comes with development.

And Archer, who played in the Capital One Cup against Barnet before Forde was restored to first-team duties, believed he would eventually get his chance.

“It’s part and parcel of the game to make saves,” Archer said. “You’ve got to come out and relieve the stress that’s on you and your team and I’m more than happy to do so.

“Fordey has been brilliant,” Archer said. “Prior to the game and after the game he was encouraging me and giving me praise, he has been brilliant.

“It was my first game and there were some nerves but the early save from (Paddy) Madden settled me down and enabled me to relax and enjoy myself.

“I’ve been here for a few months so I’m pleased to make my debut and the fans were loud as always.”

“I’m still young and still developing, Forde has a few years on me, he’s been around a long time.

“I was disappointed (to be on the bench after Barnet) but Fordey didn’t deserve to be dropped, he played well at Shrewsbury and the boys won.

“His leadership is of a high standard even when he isn’t playing, he’s still vocal and helps the team.

“I knew that if I kept working hard then eventually I would get an opportunity, and that came today and thankfully I’ve done okay.”

“I’m quiet off the pitch and on the field but I’m still developing and that vocal leadership will come.

Archer pulled off a string of saves to keep the score level at Glanford Park.

“I do shout at a few players, though - whoever is in my line of sight will get it!”

But the 22-year-old stopper isn’t one to get

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GREGORY ENJOYS TACTICAL TWEAK L EXCLUSIVE

BY JOHN KELLY

ee Gregory has given an insight into Neil Harris’ tactical approach last week.

Gregory was one of three attackers on the field at Glanford Park and he said Harris left it up to him, Steve Morison and Fred Onyedinma which positions to fill as the game progressed.

“I think with Shaun sitting in the pocket it also gives Jimmy and Ben the freedom to get forward which also means we don’t always have to come short; they can get on it and we can make separate runs. I enjoyed it a lot more than the previous two games.”

“The gaffer went with 4-3-3 last Saturday and I think it helped us, to be honest,” he admitted.

“We looked a better unit as a team, we were getting the players on the ball that needed to be on the ball like Shaun Williams and Ben Thompson.

Gregory also revealed there was much more of a “buzz” at the training ground this week after they halted the run of three straight defeats.

He said: “It was a much better result last weekend, and could have been even better. We’re trying to build something, but at the minute it’s just not quite paying off.

“I think it worked out better for us but whether he sticks with that this Saturday, I don’t know.

“He gave us the freedom to go anywhere but wherever you are you make sure you sit in for the player that pushed out of there.

“As long as we keep getting chances then there’s every chance we’ll win every game.

I know we didn’t take them on Saturday but we didn’t concede them either so we got a point out of it. If we don’t score we’ve got to make sure the other team don’t score, that’s what we’ve got to do.

“As long as we kept to a three or a five in midfield with one up top, he was happy whoever that player was. He was happy for us to have freedom to move as long as we kept our overall shape.

“When you get pushed out on the right and you have to stay out right it’s a bit different. But because we knew we could change, even if you were on the right, you knew you were soon going to be in a different position, so that was good.

“We also should have got a penalty 100%.

Shaun probably would have stepped up to that, but I think towards the last 10 minutes the ref seemed to be a bit biased towards them, but then again you can always blame it on the ref. At the end of the day we didn’t take our chances, but we got a point.

“It benefits us as well because when you’ve spent energy out wide you can get a bit of a breather when you’re up top on your own.

“There’s a better buzz about the team, there always is when you get a good result and hopefully we can take it into next Saturday.”

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PREVIEW:CHESTERFIELD

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BY JOHN KELLY

HESTERFIELD have made a solid start in Sky Bet League One after their play-off semi-final defeat to Preston last season.

week as he is short of match practice, while Carlos Edwards won’t be included until next week after he rejoined the Lions on Monday.

They sit ninth in the table, but Millwall could pull level with Dean Saunders’ side should they win their first game at The Den this season.

Shane Ferguson is also out with a hamstring injury, but Sid Nelson should be okay after he picked up a dead leg at Glanford Park.

If he recovers then Harris is likely to stick with the same back four that kept a clean sheet last week.

Like the Lions, Chesterfield have also played Barnsley and Shrewsbury this season. They, too, won 2-1 at Greenhous Meadow but beat Barnsley 3-1 at home.

Jordan Archer will continue in goal and Nelson was glad that the former Tottenham keeper was the last line of defence against the Iron.

And like Millwall they were indebted to their goalkeeper in the 0-0 stalemate at home to Rochdale last weekend. Tommy Lee produced a number of important saves to earn his side a draw and Saunders reckons he is worth 15-17 points to the Spireites.

“Jordan played really, really well at Scunthorpe but Fordey’s been helping him a lot,” Nelson said. “You can see in training how good Jordan is.”

Harris told the club’s official website he is pleased with the progress of teenagers Nelson, Ben Thompson and Fred Onyedinma and welcomed the longer preparation time he had with his squad before Saturday’s showdown.

Saunders believes Harris could have done with a good start to buy some time to perfect his approach, but knows what to expect from a side managed by Millwall’s record goal-scorer.

“What he needed really was three wins and that would have given him six weeks (breathing space) to get them all organised,” Saunders said. “He’ll feel under a bit of pressure now to get the team like he wants it but it takes time.

“The young lads have done extremely well,” he said. “We all want to see a young and vibrant side with a good mix of senior players also, so it’s getting that blend right.

“It’s been nice to have a free week to work on a few things to get the boys into some sort of routine and rhythm.

“Sometimes it can take two or three years.”

“He worked his socks off (as a player) and he’ll have his team doing that, so that’s what we can expect and that’s the bare minimum from us.

There’s no reason why any team should outwork us.

“We’re refreshed and ready to go.”

Sky Bet match odds: Millwall 6/4 Draw 23/10 Chesterfield 9/5

“We’re fit, as fit as any team in the league. The lads can match anyone work-wise and then hopefully the skill will shine through.

Probably Milwall team: Archer; Cummings, Nelson, Beevers, Craig; Abdou, Williams, Thompson; Onyedinma, Gregory, Morison.

Harris, meanwhile, is unlikely to recall Joe Martin after the full-back returned to training this 9

THREE QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND

By JOHN KELLY

also influence the approach of the home side.

1. Will Harris stick with a winning formula?

Dean Saunders would have seen the damage Coventry and Barnsley did at The Den. Tony Mowbray played James Maddison in the space between midfield and attack, and Lee Johnson instructed his wingers to push up high and wide to stretch the home defence.

Okay, I know, it was a draw, but there was a perceptible improvement in the way that Millwall were organised and the general shape of the side.

There are a number of factors, internal and external, that could influence the manager’s decision this weekend.

If the Spireites do play five across the middle then having Shaun Williams at the defensive base with Jimmy Abdou and Ben Thompson working to restrict the supply wide could be the approach.

First is the lack of natural width available to Harris at the moment.

A switch back to 4-4-2 would likely mean the left-sided midfielder is ostensibly a central midfielder playing slightly out of position (Upson or Thompson), unless he considers recalling Lee Martin.

2. If Millwall get a penalty, who will take it?

It’s hard to imagine Lee Gregory and Steve Morison fighting over the ball in the manner of Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge.

Or, if Harris does revert to two wingers supplying Lee Gregory and Steve Morison, then he could give Paris Cowan-Hall a first league start of the season, though there has been no indication thus far that that might be his thinking.

For one thing it’s not in their characters to pettily squabble for the chance to score, but there may also be some doubts in their minds in light of both having already missed crucial penalties for the Lions this season.

The other consideration is whether to use a player who is naturally used to tracking back to cover the space in front of Tony Craig.

Millwall were denied a clear spot-kick last week when Richard Clark failed to punish Charlie Goode after the defender had moved his arms up to block Williams’ shot.

The shape of the Chesterfield side could 10

It may not have been entirely intentional but it was reckless and should have been punished.

Asked this week who would have taken the penalty, Gregory hinted that Williams would have been the player to step up.

Whenever it occurs it will be interesting to see who takes on the responsibility, especially if it falls in front of the demanding home crowd.

3. How will the side handle it if the crowd start getting on their backs?

Harris emphasised during the week that the players will have to be patient with their game plan at home, and that there will have to be some understanding also from fans at The Den. Of course, that might all be irrelevant if the Lions take an early lead, something they did against Barnsley when they then really should have gone on and wrapped the game up by half-time.

Chesterfield are a dangerous proposition.

Again, like Coventry with Adam Armstrong, they have a striker on form who has Premier League experience and Sylvan EbanksBlake will look to dart in behind the defence at every available opportunity.

The Lions have already shown a number of times this season they have the character to come back after conceding, but they must now demonstrate that when they go ahead they have the nous to shut down their opponents and take the very next opportunity to extend the lead.

That ruthlessness, as well as their undoubted resilience, will be required over the season. ŠMillwallFC

STAT'S THAT...

BY JOHN KELLY

35

Millwall and Chesterfield have met 35 times. The first match was in November, 1931 and finished 5-0 to the Lions.

15

The south Londoners have the historical edge on their rivals with 15 wins. Chesterfield have won 13 times.

2-1

The sides last met in 2007 when goals from Darren Byfield and Poul Hubertz gave Willie Donachie’s men a 2-1 win at The Den. Tony Craig is the only playing member still with Millwall. Manager Neil Harris played up front that day.

4/7

Millwall’s problems at home have been well documented, but the Lions haven’t lost in their own backyard to Chesterfield in seven games since 1981, a 2-0 defeat in the old Division Three. Those seven games include four draws.

2

Expect some goals this weekend: in 35 previous meetings between them there have only been two scoreless draws.

20%

The most common result between the sides is 2-0 – that has happened on seven occasions (20%).

12

14

Chesterfield don’t have a number 14 shirt – it was retired in honour of former player Jack Lester following six years with the club from 2007-2013 during which time he scored 94 goals.

97

Although they didn’t make the FA Cup final in 1997 after their fairytale run was ended in the semi-final by Middlesbrough, they did claim an honour that season – the FA Cup Giantkillers Trophy.

3

Dean Saunders has relegated each of his last three clubs – Doncaster, Wolves and Crawley.

2 8

Millwall have won just twice in 14 games at The Den in 2015, both after Harris had taken over from Ian Holloway in March.

Chesterfield have lost eight times on the road this year in 18 games.

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SID NELSON:

LEAGUE ONE STANDARD BETTER THAN EXPECTED

BY JOHN KELLY

S

ID Nelson says the standard of Sky Bet League One this season is a lot higher than people think.

Millwall looked like they would justify their pre-season billing as one of the favourites for the title after successfully negotiating a tricky opening away fixture at Shrewsbury.

The 19-year-old centre-back says gaining a knowledge of his direct opponent is key and he has been doing his own homework on forwards who aren’t as familiar to him as those in the Championship were.

But a defeat to Coventry, who in Adam Armstrong had a Premier League striker, emphasised the nature of the challenge of making a swift return to the Championship.

He explained: “Paddy Madden was sharp on Saturday and Hendo (Darius Henderson), who I trained with here when I was younger, he was a handful. He’s a big boy and likes to throw the elbows about!

They then lost in injury time to a Barnsley side that came within 12 minutes of knocking Everton out of the League Cup on Wednesday night.

“But that’s something I learnt last season, you’ve got to know who you’re coming up against. I haven’t played against a lot of these guys before so I’ve got to know their strengths and weaknesses.”

“I think in the Championship the opposition will keep the ball for longer periods and then, bang, they’ll go,” Nelson said as he outlined what he has found to be the key differences between the divisions.

Nelson, who partnered Mark Beevers in the centre of defence against the Iron, also believes his natural attributes suit the style of play Harris is attempting to impose on the side.

“In League One, it’s back and forth, back and forth, and you get so much pressure put on you.

“I like playing a high line,” Nelson said. “At the back end of last season me and Beevs kept a high line and I thought it was quite successful.

“But you have to be able to deal with that.

I think the standard has been a lot better in this division than what people thought it would be.

“The way I am I try to be the organiser on the pitch. At the end of the day it’s about getting your line right and getting cover around.

“I think a lot of people thought that after coming down to League One that it would be easy for us, but in terms of the standard there hasn’t been a whole lot of difference.”

Nelson made his first league appearance of the season against the Tykes as Millwall conceded goals from three set-pieces, but was part of a defence at Glanford Park that kept a first clean sheet of the season. .

“For me I’m not as physical as some of the other lads, I’m still young. So if I’m playing too deep I’ve got to come and attack everything and the strikers can pin me in.

“If I hold a high line and the ball gets put in behind I feel like I’ve got the pace to cover.”

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NO EXCUSES FOR MILLWALL'S GREGORY

AS HE VOWS TO “STEP UP”

BY JOHN KELLY

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EE Gregory has admitted he hasn’t yet reached the level he was at last season.

“I’ve had a few niggles here and there but I’m not trying to blame anything. I just need to step up my game, I know that, and hopefully on Saturday I can go and nick a goal and we’ll go on and win.”

Gregory, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Wednesday, was the top scorer for the Lions last season following his switch from non-league FC Halifax.

He opened his account this campaign with a penalty winner at Shrewsbury Town in the first game of the season, but missed from the spot after just four minutes in the 4-0 defeat to Coventry.

After three defeats in a row at The Den this season, Gregory wants to send Lions fans home in a happier mood this weekend.

He said: “I enjoyed last Saturday a lot more than the previous two games. The first home game wasn’t the best game but we’ve just got to get on with it.

Gregory started as part of a three-man attack in the scoreless draw at Scunthorpe and he is hoping to get back on the scoring trail against Chesterfield this weekend.

“If we beat ourselves up too much it’ll just affect our game later on. We just have to dust ourselves down and build on last weekend.

“We owe it to the fans as well, we need to put a performance in at home and I think we will this Saturday.”

“On a personal level my performances haven’t been as good as what they should be,” he said. “I’m just putting that down to just getting back into it.

“They haven’t been up to the level that they were towards the end of last season.

I missed a lot of pre-season so it could be that.

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JOE MARTIN BACK IN FULL MILLWALL TRAINING AFTER INJURY LAY-OFF

BY JOHN KELLY

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OE Martin returned to full training today following his ankle injury.

The defender has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Lions this term with Neil Harris using Mark Beevers, Shane Ferguson and Tony Craig at various times at left-back.

pe, but he is hopeful of resuming training in the next couple of days and he should be fit to face Dean Saunders’ side.

Meanwhile Harris confirmed that Carlos Edwards, who penned a deal with the club yesterday, could be in the match-day squad but he would prefer his defender to get more minutes under his belt with the U21s.

But boss Harris said the former Gillingham player is unlikely to be in contention to face Chesterfield this Saturday.

Sid Nelson sat out this morning’s session after picking up a dead leg against Scunthor-

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MILLWALL WILL BE FLEXIBLE IN APPROACH THIS SEASON SAYS HARRIS

BY JOHN KELLY

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EIL Harris isn’t ruling out using the 4-3-3 formation that was successful against Scunthorpe for home games.

Chesterfield visit The Den next weekend and Harris and his management will study Dean Saunders’ side this week before settling on an approach.

take a little bit of luck when it comes your way.

“But I still don’t believe we’re having that in the opposition penalty area.

“We haven’t got decisions, but other ones during the season will go our way.”

He said: “I’ll definitely consider it for next week.

I’ve made it clear that I want to play 4-4-2 but I’m not naïve to think that we can play that every week.

Williams also had the chance to open his account at Scunthorpe when he shot at Joe Anyon from 10 yards, and Harris admitted the team shape used at Glanford Park brings out the best in him.

“We went with a slightly different shape with three strikers (on Saturday).

“We’ll certainly look at Chesterfield, and we’ll look back on the performance and how we’ve done and I’ll pick an XI, tactics and a formation that I feel will be most effective against them.”

“Shaun did very well,” Harris said. “He has played in a three-man midfield with clubs before here.

“It’s clear Shaun finds it a lot easier to control the game in a three-man midfield.

The Millwall boss was pleased with the response he got from his side after three successive defeats, but feels they haven’t been getting decisions in their opponents’ box.

“His calmness on the ball and his defensive positioning helps everybody, but I was gutted for him with that chance, the keeper makes a great save and it could have won us the game in the first half.

Shaun Williams looked like he had won a penalty for the Lions last Saturday, but referee Richard Clark waved play on after the ball seemed to strike Charlie Goode’s arms.

“And it was the same against Barnsley, one off the line and one he couldn’t quite reach.

“He has defensive ability but he could also have had three goals in two games.”

“At some stages of the season you just have to roll your sleeves up,” Harris said. “And then

20

Vs Shrewsbury Town

Vs Scunthorpe United

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MILLWALL FIGHT FOR FIRST CLEAN SHEET:

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

BY JOHN KELLY

W

E take a look at some of the talking points after Millwall halted a run of three successive defeats by claiming a point at Scunthorpe.

The Lions needed an element of luck when Scunthorpe striker Paddy Madden blasted his penalty over the bar with 10 minutes left.

But Neil Harris’ side could have won it too when Steve Morison hit the post in injury-time.

From Jordan Archer’s fine form to a more flexible approach, we analyse the latest result and what it means…

Harris preferred the block he made in injury-time when he again prevented what looked like a certain goal, this time tipping Madden’s header from just a couple of yards out onto the bar.

1. ARCHER MAKES IMPRESSIVE BOW The former Tottenham keeper confirmed his talent on Saturday – now the next step is to show it consistently.

There was one moment though when he needed luck to intervene after he had parried Hakeeb Adelakun’s shot to Madden who nodded in.

His manager Harris refused to heap too much praise on Archer after Saturday’s accomplished performance, and quite understandably.

That would have gone done as an error had the linesman’s flag not shot up to deny the luckless Scunthorpe striker, who also missed a penalty with 10 minutes left.

He is two games into his Millwall career and there will be challenging times ahead.

His fingertip save to turn Paddy Madden’s low shot around the post in the sixth minute showcased his best attributes.

Still, it was the only asterisk after another performance of rich promise.

Archer’s emergence as the man now in possession of the number one jersey does beg the question whether David Forde would be happy to play supportive understudy to his young rival.

The suspicion is that he wouldn’t.

He not alone read the direction of the shot but had the reflexes, speed and agility to get down low to his left and pull off such a crucial early save in what was always likely to be a cagey contest between two sides desperate not to lose again.

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After the end of last season it was thought he would join a club in the Championship of Premier League in an effort to win back his Ireland place, but with the absolute dearth of options available to Martin O’Neill it’s not inconceivable he could win back his international place anyway.

He held talks with Fulham during the summer but there hasn’t been a queue of clubs lining up to take him.

2. CHOPPER'S CHANGES SHOW HE WILL BE FLEXIBLE

who might have prepared to deal with his threat from the flanks something else to consider.

The irony now is that even if his dropping to number two in the order at Millwall hardens his desire to get away, the very fact of it might put off any would-be interested parties.

The benefit of playing three in midfield was also evident in the performance of Shaun Williams, who looks much more comfortable at the base with Jimmy Abdou and Ben Thompson in front of him.

Millwall started three forwards at Glanford Park, with Steve Morison and Fred Onyedinma either side of Lee Gregory up front.

But it was a fluid attack with the three players frequently shifting positions to keep Scunthorpe’s back three guessing.

Harris praised his defensive work and his reading of the game afterwards, but, as against Barnsley, he could have scored again when he made a late run into the box in the first half only for Anyon to bat away his effort from 10 yards.

Morison initially started on the left but could have won it for the Lions in injury-time when his shot from a position on the right of the box smacked off Joe Anyon’s near post.

The Millwall boss also confirmed after the game that it was not necessarily a formation he would only use away from home, meaning the line-up and tactical approach will be a source of intrigue for Lions fans before the release of the starting XI an hour before kick-off against Chesterfield next weekend.

Onyedinma also played through the centre at times and if this performance wasn’t as eye-catching as previous ones – though there was a sumptuous piece of skill to somehow weave a path between two defenders in the box in the second half – it will give opponents

regularly he finds himself in these positions the more composure he will have.

3. LITTLE BEN WILL SUPPLY BIG GOALS He already is threatening, and surely his first Millwall goal is not far away.

When that happens his natural technique will make him a threat from anywhere inside 35 yards and it doesn’t seem like an exaggeration to say, based on two substitute appearances and Saturday’s demonstration of his quality, that he could contribute at least five goals this season.

He almost got it early in the second half at Glanford Park, emphasising the real quality of his striking when his shot from 25 yards just cleared the outside of Anyon’s post.

With Aiden O’Brien also still feeling his way back in after injury, the goal-scoring potential of the side should grow as the season progresses.

He found himself in a similar position later in the half only to shoot high and wide, but the more

23

MILLWALL BOSS

PAYS TRIBUTE TO DAVID FORDE FOR SUPPORT ROLE

BY JOHN KELLY

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EIL Harris was keen to praise David Forde for his role in helping his goalkeeping rival before Saturday’s game against Scunthorpe.

The Ireland international was dropped for the crunch fixture after conceding 10 goals in the opening four games of the season.

from your goalkeeper and he was excellent.

He has to do that again and again to be a top goalkeeper.

His former understudy Jordan Archer didn’t look anything like a rookie making his league debut at Glanford Park, putting in a brilliant performance as the Lions battled to their first clean sheet of the season.

“I have to give a special mention to David Forde who helped prepare Jordan for the game, mentally and physically, and that showed his character and personality and who he is.”

The Millwall boss was also delighted with centre-back Sid Nelson, who went off in the second half after suffering a dead leg in the opening 45 minutes against Mark Robins’ side, but who should he okay for Saturday’s game at home to Chesterfield.

The former Tottenham man made a number of key saves, and bookended his display by thwarting Paddy Madden from point-blank range in injury-time after denying him in a oneon-one just six minutes in.

Harris said Archer’s injury-time intervention to prevent Madden winning the three points for Scunthorpe was his most impressive save, and felt the 22-year-old benefitted from some words of advice from Forde in the lead-up to the game.

Harris said: “Sid is a leader. He is a 19-year-old who has captained the side already and he will captain the side in the future.

“He’s one of our top young players and he’s going to make mistakes at times but I’ve got big belief and faith in him and he’s going to be a big part of this club in times to come.”

“The one he tipped onto the bar in injury-time was a phenomenal save,” Harris enthused.

“When you play against good teams with attacking purpose you need to throw your bodies on the line to defend.

“But then you also need a good performance

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CARLOS EDWARDS

PROVES HIS FITNESS TO WIN NEW MILLWALL DEAL

BY JOHN KELLY

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The news is a boost for Harris, who said during the closed season Edwards’ leadership qualities were missed with the Lions battling against relegation from the Championship last term.

ARLOS Edwards has re-signed for Millwall on a short-term deal until January.

The 36-year-old defender has proved his fitness to manager Neil Harris following 11 months out with the knee injury he suffered against Nottingham Forest last September.

Shaun Cummings has started at right-back in Millwall’s four games so far in League One and Edwards will now add extra competition to that area as well as bringing valuable experience to the defence.

Edwards’ contract expired over the summer but he has been working his way back to full fitness with the club and impressed in a number of Elite Development Squad fixtures recently.

He could also be available for Saturday’s visit of Chesterfield to The Den.

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MILLWALL'S ARCHER DELIGHTED WITH LEAGUE DEBUT PERFORMANCE

BY JAY TAYLOR

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ORDAN Archer was “over the moon” with his performance on his full league debut against Scunthorpe on Saturday.

“I’m over the moon to make my debut and we are at home next Saturday so hopefully if I’m starting, I’ll look forward to walking out at The Den.”

The Lions had Archer to thank as he pulled off a string of saves in the goalless draw at Glanford Park, including tipping a Paddy Madden header onto the bar in the 90th minute.

Scunthorpe were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute when Mark Beevers was adjudged to have pulled down Gary McSheffery in the box. Madden stepped up and blasted over the bar, much to Archer’s relief.

Although the 22-year-old was pleased with his own performance, he expressed regret that Millwall didn’t win the game, and he hopes to continue in goal next week against Chesterfield.

The Lions keeper, however, wasn’t convinced by referee Richard Clarke’s decision to award the hosts a spot-kick, and then waving away protests from the Millwall players when Shaun Williams’ shot looked to have hit the arm of Iron defender Charlie Goode.

“I was happy with my personal performance,” Archer said. “I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the three points as we did have a few chances to score, but the boys dug in deep.

“I thought our shout for a penalty should have been given,” Archer said. “I was screaming and jumping for a penalty to be given but unfortunately it wasn’t.

“Nonetheless it was a great point away from home.

“Then Scunthorpe got one, and I’m not going to say what I said to the referee as I would get in trouble.

“It’s always nice to make a few saves, the one at the end that I tipped onto the crossbar was my favourite as the boys had been digging in deep for the final 20 minutes, so it would have been horrible to have Scunthorpe score at the end.

“I was happy that he missed it as I felt it wasn’t a penalty, but they get given and thankfully he blazed it over.

“I’m happy to make the saves and help the boys out, that’s what I’m there for.

“I was over the moon and I think I hugged Shaun Williams twice, but it’s nice to see it go over the bar.”

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MILLWALL'S HARRIS: IT WASN'T AN EASY DECISION TO DROP FORDE

BY JOHN KELLY

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that it was going to be a nil-nil.”

EIL Harris said it was a “tough decision” to drop David Forde before the 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

The Millwall boss altered his formation for the game, opting to pick a three-man midfield as the Lions kept their first clean sheet of the season.

Harris handed Jordan Archer his first league start for the Lions and was rewarded when the keeper made a string of important saves.

Ben Thompson also made his full league debut after two impressive appearances as a substitute against Coventry and Barnsley.

The former Tottenham keeper produced arguably the best of them when he denied Paddy Madden in a one-on-one early in the first half.

“Ben is one of our top young players,” Harris said. “He has done really well in the last two games coming off the bench, but just because you do well off the bench you can’t presume they’ll do really well starting.

“You have to be patient and pick them at the right time, and we got that right today with Ben.

Harris said: “Every decision is tough. Picking the team isn’t always easy, as I’m finding out.

“I’ll get some wrong during the season and I’ll get a lot right.

“It helps having the experience of Shaun (Williams) and Jimmy (Abdou) in there and we went with the three because at the moment teams are playing three-man midfields against us.

“I’ll focus on the positives, which was that the 11 players and the boys that came off the bench were terrific.

“Jordan has made a couple of good saves and they missed a penalty, but we had lots of chances as well.

“We went with energy in there and control in the middle of the park, and I also wanted to play with three strikers.”

“Steve Morison hit the post in injury-time and that summed it up for both benches,

31

SCUNTHORPE UNITED MILLWALL

0 0

©MillwallFC

M

illwall’s players had Monday off but after claiming their first clean sheet of the season last weekend attention on Tuesday morning would quickly have turned to getting a first home win too.

that he is willing to follow up the strong words when he questioned the payers’ characters in the defeat to Barnsley the previous Tuesday with strong actions when it is required.

It could, of course, not have worked out as well as it did and though that wouldn’t have necessarily proved it was a wrong decision it took about six minutes for the call to look inspired.

This was the Lions’ last ever league visit to Glanford Park as Scunthorpe are building a new 12,000-seater stadium and it was also a case of out with the old and in with the new on the pitch for Millwall as David Forde made way for Jordan Archer who made his league debut for the club.

It’s tempting to think Forde, 35, would not have been able to spring so quickly to his left to divert Paddy Madden’s low shot around the post after the striker had been put through one-onone with the 22-year-old goalkeeper.

Despite Forde conceding nine goals in the first three league games of the season this was still a bold call by manager Neil Harris and underlined 32

Archer was called on to deal with a number of awkward situations - including Scott laird’s half-volley from 30 yards in the first half that he elected to punch away – before, according to Harris, he saved his best for last when he tipped Madden’s header from a couple of yards onto the bar in injury-time.

He was fortunate in between when Kevin van Veen smashed a shot off the woodwork and then when Madden, again, hit his spot-kick over after Mark Beevers had fouled Gary McSheffrey in the box.

But in his two Millwall performances so far Archer has demonstrated enough of his shot-stopping ability to reassure that his was an astute free transfer signing.

Harris’ formation was the other major pre-match talking point as he switched from his favoured 4-4-2 to a three-man midfield and three up front.

©MillwallFC

©MillwallFC

As well as keeping Scunthorpe’s back three guessing as Fred Onyedinma, Lee Gregory and Steve Morison often inter-changed it also allowed Ben Thompson to get forward from midfield and on this evidence his first senior competitive goal isn’t far away.

The 19-year-old went close to breaking the deadlock just after half-time only to see his shot fizz just wide of Joe Anyon’s right-hand post with the keeper beaten but with his striking ability he will score goals the more often he finds himself in those kinds of positions.

After Madden’s miss the Lions might have won it when Morison shot from inside the box but the ball cannoned wide off the near post.

After getting the response he wanted following three successive wins the next objective will be to put a stop to any talk of home hoodoos when Dean Saunders’ Chesterfield visit The Den on Saturday.

©MillwallFC

CLASSIC NEWSATDEN

MATCH REPORTS ONE YEAR AG0 30TH AUGUST 2014

MILLWALL

M C D O N A L D 3 3 ’, M A L O N E 5 1 ’

FORDE EDWARDS DUNNE BEEVERS MALONE WILLIAMS POWELL L MARTIN MCDONALD WOOLFORD FULLER

M

2-1 1 29 2 6 3 24 4 11 14 13 17

1 44 2 16 28 6 23 7 27 11 19

ILLWALL climbed up to fifth in the Championship table with a hardfought win over rock-bottom Blackpool at The Den.

BLACKPOOL R A N GER 7 1 ’

LEWIS MCMAHON DANIELS P CLARKE ORIOL LUNDSTRAM PERKINS ORLANDI DELFOUNESO ZOKO MILLER

Despite a nervy finish, Millwall held on to move into the play-off positions.

Jack Powell’s inclusion in the side, his first league start for the club, was Ian Holloway’s only change from last weekend’s Championship defeat to Rotherham United.

Scott McDonald scored his first goal of the new campaign to put the Lions in front before turning provider for Scott Malone to double the advantage.

Ricardo Fuller came close to scoring against his former club in the seventh minute when he was narrowly beaten to Scott Malone’s dangerous cross by goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

The hosts were looking comfortable and in the mood to add to their total but substitute Nile Ranger scored on the counter-attack to give the Seasiders hope.

The visitors then had a goal disallowed af34

© Millwall FC

ter Nathan Delfouneso pulled back Carlos Edwards before his cross was turned in by Ishmael Miller.

Powell nearly chalked up his second assist of the afternoon when he crossed for Mark Beevers, but the defender powered his header over the bar.

Edwards was involved at the other end when his deep cross was side-footed wide by Malone, who couldn’t adjust his feet in time to convert the chance.

New signing Mathias Ranegie came on for his debut and headed wide from Lee Martin’s free kick within moments of his introduction.

Martin then blasted over the bar from the edge of the area as Millwall went in search of the killer third goal.

But McDonald broke the deadlock for Millwall when he curled home from the edge of the area after Powell’s free-kick lay-off.

But Blackpool hauled themselves back in the contest when Ranger finished off a quick counter-attack with a composed finish inside Forde’s near post.

Andrea Orlandi stabbed over a half-chance for the Tangerines after they forced a string of corners as the Lions took their lead into the interval.

And Millwall doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart with a well-worked second goal.

And Ranger nearly created an unlikely equaliser when he cut the ball back for Steve Davies inside the area, only for the striker to loft an unconvincing effort over the bar.

After Fuller did well to hold up the ball, Carlos Edwards found goalscorer McDonald inside the box and the Australian’s low cross was turned in by Malone at the far post.

Holloway introduced Byron Webster from the bench to shore up his defence and withdrew Powell to a standing ovation from the home fans.

Nathan Delfouneso spurned a guilt-edged chance to pull a goal back when he headed tamely at David Forde from point-blank range when it looked easier to score.

As four minutes of additional time were signalled, Francis Zoko fired into the side netting and Davies’ drive was held by Forde as Blackpool’s fight back fell short.

35

Tamika

Mkandawire

Š Nicky Hayes / BPI

Š Tampa Bay Rowdies

LEAGUE ONE TABLE P W D L F A G D PT 1 Gilling h a m 4 3 1 0 9 2 7 10

2 Wa ls a l l 4 3 1 0 7 3 4 10 3 C o v e n t r y C i t y 4 3 0 1 1 0 4 6 9 4 Sh e f f i e l d U n i t e d 4 3 0 1 7 5 2 9 5 B ur t on A l bi on 4 3 0 1 6 4 2 9 6 Sw in don Tow n 4 2 2 0 9 5 4 8 7 F le e t w ood Tow n 4 2 1 1 9 5 4 7

8 Ro c h da l e 4 2 1 1 5 2 3 7 9 C h e s t e r fi e l d 4 2 1 1 5 4 1 7

10 B a r n s l e y 4 2 1 1 5 5 0 7 1 1 P o r t Va l e 4 1 3 0 6 3 3 6 1 2 O ld h a m A t h l e t i c 4 1 3 0 3 2 1 6 13 W iga n A t h l e t i c 4 1 1 2 3 4 -1 4 14 Scun t h or p e U n i t e d 4 1 1 2 3 5 -2 4 15 Millw a l l 4 1 1 2 4 8 -4 4

16 B ur y 4 0 3 1 9 10 -1 3 17 Do n c a s t e r R ove r s 4 0 3 1 1 4 -3 3 18 P e t e rborou g h U n i t e d 4 1 0 3 4 8 -4 3 19 Sh re w s bu r y Tow n 4 0 2 2 4 6 -2 2 20 C re w e A l exa n dr a 4 0 2 2 5 8 -3 2 21 So ut he n d U n i t e d 4 0 2 2 1 4 -3 2 2 2 B r ad for d C i t y 4 0 2 2 3 7 -4 2 23 C o lc h e s t e r U n i t e d 4 0 2 2 3 8 -5 2 24 B lack p ool 4 0 1 3 3 8 -5 1

FIXTURES CHESTERFIELD T HE DEN S ATU RDAY 29 T H AU G U S T

PETERBOroUGH UNITED T HE DEN TUESDAY 1 ST S E P T E M BE R

CREW E ALEXANDRA GRESTY ROAD S ATU RDAY 1 2 T H S E P T E M B E R

PORT VALE VA LE PAR K TUESDAY 1 5T H S E P T E M B E R

SOUTHEND T HE DEN S ATU RDAY 1 9 T H S E P T E M B E R

PLAYER STATS LEAGUE ONE

Ap p

Sta r ts

Assi sts

Go als

D. F or de 3 3 0 0 J. Ar c h e r 1 1 0 0 S. Cu mmi n g s 4 4 0 0 T. Cr a i g 4 4 0 0 S. Ne l s on 2 2 0 0 M. B e e ve r s 3 3 0 0 B. We bs t e r 3 2 0 0 S. Fe r g u s on 3 1 1 0 M. R ome o 0 0 0 0 C . Pa r r 0 0 0 0 K . Wood 0 0 0 0 J. M a r t i n 0 0 0 0 S. Wi l l i a ms 4 4 0 0 E . U p s on 3 3 0 0 L . M a r t i n 3 2 1 0 J. P o w e l l 0 0 0 0 B. T homp s on 3 1 0 0 N. A bdou 2 2 0 0 J. P hi l p ot 0 0 0 0 K . Tw a r de k 0 0 0 0 K . Fa r re l l 0 0 0 0 P. Cow a n H a l l 1 0 0 0 L . G re g or y 4 4 0 1 F. O ny e di n ma 4 4 1 2 J. M a r q u i s 1 0 0 0 S. M or i s on 4 4 1 1 A. O ’ B r i e n 2 0 0 0 A. P a ve y 0 0 0 0

ACADEMY ROUND-UP

UNDER 21S

UNDER 18S

CHARLTON 0-1 MILLWALL

MILLWALL 1-3 CHARLTON

(Abandoned at Half-Time) 24th August

22nd August

Millwall Squad:

Millwall Line Up:

MFC Scorers: ROMEO

MFC Scorers: MUNDLE-SMITH

Girling,

Girling,

McNamara,

Edwards,

Brown,

Cheisman,

White,

Farrell,

Bray,

Parr,

Green,

Mbulu,

Mulrooney-Skinner,

Cowan-Hall,

Ebezoeme,

Romeo,

Day

Pavey,

(Mundle-Smith, 46mins)

Philpot, O’Brien,

(Campbell, 75mins)

Brown,

Ndjoli,

Barton,

Eze.

Mulrooney-Skinner, Mikael, Bray.

41

LAST SEVEN GAMES DAT E

0 8 -A u g -15

1 1 -Au g -1 5

1 5-Au g-15

CO MP E T IT IO N

L e a g u e One

Ca p i ta l One

Lea g ue O ne

OPPO N E N T

S h re w s bu r y ( A)

B a r net ( H )

Coventr y (H)

RESU LT

2 -1 W

1 -2 L

0-4 L

G O AL K E E P E R

For de

Archer

Ford e

DEFEN DE R S

C u mmi n g s

Nel son

Cu mm ings

We bs t e r

Web ster

Web ster

Craig

Cra i g

Cra i g

B e e ve r s

Ferg u son

B eevers (45)

Ony e di n ma

Onyed i nma ( 97)

Onyedinm a

W i l l i a ms

Wi l l i a ms

Wi l l i a m s

U p s on

Up son

Up son (7 7 )

L M a r t i n ( 74 )

L M a r ti n ( 67)

L M a r tin (45)

G re g or y ( 8 5)

M a rqu i s ( 66)

G reg or y

M or i s on

M ori son

M ori so n

S UB

Archer

Ford e

Archer

S UB

N e l s on

Cu mmi ng s

Nel son

S UB

P ow e l l

B eever s ( 97)

Ferg u so n (45)

S UB

C ow a n - H a l l

Pow el l

Pow ell

S UB

Fe r g u s on (74 )

Cow a n-H a l l ( 67)

Thomps o n (45)

S UB

P h i l p ot

Phi l pot

Cow a n-Hall (7 7 )

S UB

M a r q u i s ( 8 5)

G reg or y ( 66)

M a rquis

M IDFIE L DE R S

AT TAC K E R S

1 8-Au g-1 5

2 2 -A u g -15

2 9-Au g -1 5

0 1 -Sep-1 5

Leag ue O n e

L e a g u e On e

Lea g u e One

J PT

B arnsl e y (H )

S c u n t h or p e ( A )

Chester f i el d ( H )

Peter b oro ’ (H)

2-3 L

0-0 D

Ford e

Archer

Cu m m in gs

C u mmi n g s

Nel so n

N e l s on ( 6 1)

Crai g

B e e ve r s

Fe rgus o n (92)

Craig

U pso n (61 )

T h omp s on

Wi lliams (61 )

W i l l i a ms

Ab d o u

A bdou

Onyedin m a Ony e di n ma Greg o r y

G re g or y ( 7 1)

Mo ri so n

M or i s on

Archer

For de

Webste r

C ow a n - H a l l

Thomp s o n (61 )

U p s on

Cowan - Hall

L Martin

L Mar tin ( 92 )

Marquis

O’ Brie n ( 61 )

We bs t e r ( 6 1)

Marqui s

O’ B r i e n ( 7 1)

EDITORIAL NewsAtDen is the exclusive home of latest Millwall Football Club news, with the latest interviews, expert opinions, stats, graphics and much more.

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