NewsAtDen Magazine Issue 05

ISSUE

05

CARLOS EDWARDS It was a pleasure to put back on Millwall shirt

CONTENTS INTERVIEW

4 8 12 22

INTERVIEW

CARLOS EDWARDS: IT WAS A PLEASURE TO PUT BACK ON MILLWALL SHIRT

NEWS

6 10 16 26

MILLWALL’S ARCHER: YOU COULD SEE HOW MUCH JPT WIN MEANT

OPINION

HARRIS LAUDS CARLOS EDWARDS’ IMPACT IN MILLWALL’S JPT WIN

MILLWALL THROUGH IN JP TROPHY: THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

INTERVIEW

MILLWALL 1 - 0 PETERBOROUGH

HARRIS: BOYS ARE BUZZING BUT WE CAN DO BETTER

REPORT

NEWS

MILLWALL 0 - 2 CHESTERFIELD

HARRIS WANTS SENIOR PLAYERS TO STEP UP

REPORT

3

©MillwallFC

CARLOS EDWARDS:

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO PUT BACK ON MILLWALL SHIRT

BY JOHN KELLY

C

ARLOS Edwards said he was “emotional” making his Millwall return in the win over Peterborough on Tuesday night.

Edwards started at right-back in the Football League Trophy tie and supplied the injury-time assist for Shaun Williams’ winning header.

ertson’s side and outlined the advice he has been passing on to his young team-mate, citing a passage of play late in the game when the attacker lost the ball with Edwards overlapping outside.

After recovering from knee ligament damage that kept him sidelined for almost a year, the 36-yearold praised the club for giving him the chance to continue his rehabilitation under the guidance of physio Bobby Bacic and the medical department, despite his contract having expired during the summer.

“Sometimes it’s a rush of blood,” he said of the younger players. “You’re in that position, you’re like a horse, you’ve got the blinkers on and seeing straight and not seeing what is at the side of you.

After proving his fitness he is now signed to a deal until at least January.

“I know a lot of players at that point might shout and yell at him but I don’t mind players losing the ball or trying something in the last third of the pitch, you never know what might happen.

“I always say ‘practice makes permanent’,” Edwards told Lions Live on Thursday evening. “The harder I work the better I get at what I do.”

“He could have had a shot, it could have ricocheted and come to me and I could have had a shot, scored, or crossed for someone else.

“I could give myself a pat on the back, but then again it was a team effort with Bob and myself and his staff.

“All I could say to him at that point in time was, ‘Fred, have a look around, be aware, maybe take a pace or two off when you’re running that quickly just to let your team-mates catch up.’

“I think in this industry everybody will get a bit of criticism… but he will find whatever he thinks fits to get the player back.

“You know, I’m 40, going on 41! At the end of the day I’m the one who has to get back.

“I had already prepared myself for the worst (after the injury) and it was just a matter of me saying, ‘Listen, it’s already gone, there’s nothing I can do about it anymore, it’s for me now to put my head down and work as hard as possible to get back’, and I did that and there I was on Tuesday running around like a gazelle for 90 minutes.

“But I would never discourage any player from taking on a defender. Sometimes you have to be selfish, but it’s a team game.

“I said to him against Chesterfield, ‘Freddie, mix your game up a bit… teams are eventually going to know your strengths and they’re going to double-team you so when you get that ball call one of your attacking partners and play a little one-two.’

“It was a pleasure to put back on the shirt. It was a really, really emotional time for me. My wife came out to support me. The kids weren’t there because it was a night game and they were in bed, but being back out, in front of not much fans, but being at The Den made me feel, yes, I’ve worked hard and achieved something that I wanted to.

“And he said, ‘Yeah, I was trying.’ I said, ‘You weren’t trying, if you were trying you would have been shouting at someone to do it.’”

Meanwhile, Edwards pulled no punches describing Millwall’s home form last month, but believes the win against the Posh can finally launch their season.

“Teams have been coming to The Den wanting to get our scalp, they know if they get our scalp it’s a big bonus for them.

“I don’t think there are many clubs that would let a player continue their rehabilitation and actually join in in pre-season not knowing the future of the player.

“I think the fans also had a major part to play, they kept sending tweets and good wishes… and that inspired me also to want to get back playing.”

“That’s something that in the past was really hard to do – now it’s like taking candy from a baby.

“But August is gone, we can’t do anything about the games we lost and that game on Tuesday, I hope, is the stepping stone for things to come.”

Edwards linked up with Fred Onyedinma – who is half his age – on the right flank against Dave Rob-

5

MILLWALL'S ARCHER:

YOU COULD SEE HOW MUCH JPT WIN MEANT

BY JOHN KELLY

J

ORDAN Archer said he is still learning to dominate his penalty box after another inspired performance against Peterborough on Tuesday.

“If I see something on the pitch I’m not afraid to tell people about it, that’s part and parcel of the game and it’s part of my job.”

He helped the Lions to a second clean sheet in the last three games and was a composed and reassuring presence behind his defence.

Archer also feels that Millwall’s poor start to the season, and in particular their home form, has been viewed out of context with a long campaign still ahead.

The 22-year-old former Tottenham keeper also confidently claimed a number of tricky crosses and again praised David Forde for his influence in helping him to command his area.

After a frenetic few weeks, the Lions now have a break with players away on international duty and the goalkeeper hopes to build on a first home win of the season when league action resumes on September 12.

Archer said: “I’m still young and I’m learning a lot. The boys did well and it’s always good to be able to help out and make saves. They dug in deep and when we scored that goal you could see on the pitch how much it meant to us.

“We can’t hide from (the defeats),” Archer said. “It’s been a bad few games but it’s just a few games of a very long season so we’ve just got to put them behind us.

“It’s been good to learn from Fordey because he’s very vocal so that’s something that I’m adding to my game.

“I’m sure we’re going to come up trumps more at home.”

7

ŠMillwallFC

HARRIS LAUDS CARLOS EDWARDS' IMPACT IN MILLWALL'S JPT WIN

BY JAY TAYLOR

M

ILLWALL manager Neil Harris hailed the return of Carlos Edwards in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win against Peterborough on Tuesday night.

Edwards played the full 90-plus minutes on his return to competitive football 344 days after suffering a serious knee injury.

“He has the ability and the knowledge to mix his game up.”

Edwards, 36, took to Twitter after the win to express his feelings on his return after almost a year out.

The defender was released in the summer but was allowed to carry on his rehabilitation with the Lions before earning a new deal until January after proving his fitness.

He tweeted: “It felt good to be back, and back to winning ways, long may it continue”

And the Millwall boss is pleased to finally be able to call on Edwards’ experience, something he believes the squad have missed.

Meanwhile, Harris is pleased that the international break will give his side time to recover from a relentless start to the new campaign.

“He is a great fellow, and it is great to have him back in the dressing room.” Harris said.

“To have him back in the squad and to have his leadership is brilliant. He’s not a big shouter or talker, but he is calm.

And the Lions boss hopes that he will soon be able to call on defensive reinforcements with Joe Martin and Shane Ferguson close to a first-team return after their respective injuries.

“I think he would be the first to admit there was a little bit of rustiness in him at times, but that’ll improve.

Harris said: “It’s an opportunity to get players back and recover from the hard work we’ve done since the end of June.

“With every game that he plays he will get better.

“And it’s an opportunity to work really hard and get the payers fitter and stronger, and I think that being able to get Joe and Shane fit again will be key for us.”

“He played some lovely passes and a couple of the attacks we had towards the end of the game were balls he played slightly longer into the channel.

9

MILLWALL THROUGH IN JP TROPHY:

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

BY JOHN KELLY

W

E take a look at some of the talking points after Millwall won at The Den for the first time this season.

The Lions secured their place in the second round of the Football League Trophy in injury time and on chances created deserve to be in the draw this Saturday.

From the performance of the returning Carlos Edwards to some tricky selection decisions, we analyse the Lions’ latest result and what it means.

But that was more down to his lack of first-team football and where a player with less experience or confidence may have opted for safety first after those errors, Edwards had the composure to keep trying to play constructive football.

1. KING CARLOS LEADS BY EXAMPLE It’s possible to set the tone, tempo and set an example from a full-back position. Edwards proved it against Peterborough and though his contract runs to January Neil Harris will hope he stays available for the season.

Subconsciously that rubs off on players around him and it was notable that Williams played his most effective game of the season so far after being dropped for the league defeat to Chesterfield.

The 36-year-old made his return to the first team after nearly a year out injured and was a key player at both ends of the pitch even before his cross for Shaun Williams’ winner.

Edwards also has an excellent defensive positioning sense and that must be reassuring for Sid Nelson.

His first instinct was to always try to retain possession and his attacking influence grew after the break.

Even after just 90-plus minutes back in the first team Edwards is already looking like he’ll be a key presence for the Lions this season, which is something else considering he will turn 37 next month.

He did give the ball away a couple of times in dangerous areas in the first half, and there was a lapse in the second when Marcus Maddison gave him the slip to shoot.

©MillwallFC

10

Some of their best moves were constructed when there was an extra pass rather than trying to get the ball into the box earlier.

2. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST At one point on Tuesday night a voice bellowed from the back of one of the stands to “hit it long” as Williams checked backwards to find Mark Beevers who then swept the ball wide to maintain possession.

Ed Upson was actually centrally involved in a lot of those moves from his nominal role on the left of midfield and, while Williams ended up with the headlines, Upson could have had an assist in the first half only for John Marquis to shoot weakly at Ben Alnwick.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with that piece of play – in fact, it was the sensible thing to do to go backwards to find a different route to space yet it all emphasised what Harris has been saying about the need to show patience at home, and the conflict it can cause where there is impatience in the stands.

The former Yeovil Town midfielder could also have scored when he brilliantly weaved through a couple of Peterborough defenders ten minutes from the end, but he just failed to dink the ball over Alnwick, who, like Jordan Archer, deserved credit for his performance.

Millwall kept playing and eventually got their reward.

3. RETURNING PLAYERS MEANS RUTHLESS DECISIONS AHEAD

One of the crucial ones will be who to play as the left-sided centre-back once Martin and Ferguson come back into contention.

There may have been only 2,050 in attendance at The Den but the effect on morale of this win for the Lions should not be underestimated.

Following uncertainty surrounding his future last month after a mooted switch to Bradford, Beevers was left out of the subsequent defeat to Barnsley.

Twelve days would have been a long time to brood over a home defeat, let alone a fifth so early in the season.

He was recalled for the draw with Scunthorpe as Harris opted to swap him and Tony Craig and it has worked to the extent that it could be seen as harsh were the former Sheffield Wednesday defender to lose his place at Gresty Road.

With Aiden O’Brien recovering sharpness and Joe Martin and Shane Ferguson to return to provide attacking thrust down the left, things will be looking a lot brighter at Calmont Road over the next week and a half.

Meanwhile, if after the break Harris decides to play with three in attack again away from home, O’Brien is an option on the left which would allow Steve Morison to start in a more central role.

It will be interesting to see what side Harris picks when they resume their League One campaign at Crewe on September 15.

11

MILLWALL'S HARRIS:

BOYS ARE BUZZING BUT WE CAN DO BETTER

BY JAY TAYLOR

M

ILLWALL manager Neil Harris feels his side will push on after securing a first home win of the season.

The Lions won on their own patch at the fifth attempt with the 1-0 dismissal of Peterborough in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night.

Due to international call-ups, Millwall’s clash with Port Vale that was supposed to take place this weekend was rescheduled for September 15.

And Harris is hoping his side can take the winning feeling into the away double-header against Crewe and Port Vale when the international break concludes, before a “massive” home game against Southend.

Harris is thankful for a break that he will use to examine some aspects of performances so far this season he feels need improvement.

He said: “Now we’ve come off that win, the boys are buzzing and we want to go again.

“I think for me, personally, it puts to bed once and for all not being able to win at home,” Harris said.

“We can use that momentum from tonight to carry us through the next 12 days, but we now have an opportunity.

“We will have a positive environment now, that was a big win for us and the next game here against Southend will be massive.

“I’ve said to the boys we’ve had a good result tonight and played some really good football at times but we can do better.

“Now we have to continue our good away record with two tough games against Crewe and Port Vale.

“We can be better defensively, in midfield and going forward and it gives us a chance to have some video analysis of the games we’ve played and do a lot more work on the training ground.”

“Then we have to continue what we produced against Peterborough in our next home game against Southend.”

12

ŠMillwallFC

ŠMillwallFC

MILLWALL BOSS: WE PLAYED WITH FREEDOM AND EXPRESSION

BY JOHN KELLY

M

ILLWALL boss Neil Harris outlined his satisfaction with the all-round performance of his side after seeing them finally win at home this season.

“We saw huge amounts of quality, especially going forward. But we saw loads we can still improve on.

Shaun Williams exemplified the Lions’ persistence as he popped up in the box in injury time to head the winner against Peterborough.

“I lost count of the amount of goal-scoring opportunities we created, and not just that but the quality to get into those positions.

Harris picked out Williams and the returning Carlos Edwards for praise as the duo combined for the clinching goal with the clock running down and the tie looking like it would have to be decided by penalties.

“I was delighted and I thought it was about right that it was a great cross by Carlos after he came back in the team, and Shaun Williams deserved the goal that he scored.

Edwards was superb at right-back and the result was the perfect tonic before the international break as Millwall halted a run of four successive defeats at home.

“He’s a great fellow, he wants to win and takes it badly when he gets beat. We left him out on Saturday and he responded in the perfect manner.”

“First and foremost we played extremely well at times,” Harris said. “We saw a little bit more freedom from the guys to go and play and express themselves.

15

MILLWALL PETERBOROUGH UNITED

1 0

©MillwallFC

M

second-half chances that had been spurned would be another source of gloom heading into the international break.

It’s unlikely Neil Harris and his players would have cared one jot on Tuesday night that their first win at home this season was also witnessed by their smallest home crowd.

It was also a mini-redemption of sorts for Williams after he had been dropped for the defeat to Chesterfield last weekend.

It certainly looked that way when Shaun Williams disappeared under a rabble of bodies after he had scored the winning goal as the clocked ticked well into the allotted five minutes of injury time and it was tempting to think that fate was conspiring to further test Millwall’s already shaky confidence under the duress of a penalty shootout.

His form up to that point had been questionable but there was little question he was determined to take his chance after his boss had placed him back into a midfield to partner Ben Thompson with Ed Upson on one side of the pair and Fred Onyedinma on the other in the preferred 4-4-2 formation.

Instead, Williams’ winner, when he timed a late run into the box to power home Carlos Edwards’ pinpoint cross, typified not alone his but his team’s persistence when it looked as though the raft of

It was Williams who went closest twice to opening the scoring in the first 45 minutes when he first drove forward to whistle an effort just past Ben

16

Alnwick’s left-hand post, and then when he went equally close on the other side with a free-kick from just outside the box.

Edwards did with some assured, intelligent passing that also set an example for those around him.

Sure, he lost the ball a couple of times in dangerous positions in the first half, but that will be corrected with more competitive minutes and the clarity of his game is something that has been missing this season, particularly at home. Where a less experienced player might be tempted to hoof the ball down the field at the first strains of discontent in the home support, Edwards never panicked and never lost composure despite the mistakes.

Jimmy Abdou said after the defeat to the Spireites that Millwall had to take the lead in these types of games but, as evidenced against Barnsley, going in front has offered no guarantees at home when confidence had been so easily cracked by all four previous opponents.

Much of the effect of that had manifested itself in wobbly defensive performances that had resulted in the concession of twelve goals in just six games, though after this the manager can reflect that his side have now kept two clean sheets in the last three.

Harris would also have been buoyed by the performance of Ed Upson, who also returned after being dropped against Chesterfield. He gave a typically energetic display and was twice denied by brilliant Alnwick saves as Millwall built the pressure in the second half.

It’s no fluke that that improved defensive record has coincided with Jordan Archer’s ascent to first-choice goalkeeper. He was immense again on Tuesday night, with the pick of his saves a Schmeichel-esque effort to deny Conor Washington who had raced clear of the Millwall defence and into the box only for the former Tottenham keeper to loom in front of him and divert the ball away from goal.

Harris has said he likes the option of playing a central midfielder in a nominal wide role and, while that often results in play being directed too often inside, Joe Martin and Shane Ferguson should ensure that width is maintained on the left flank when they return from injury.

It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means, but it was the perfect tonic going into the break when another defeat would have been much too painful to swallow.

That move also illustrated that the Lions are still vulnerable after they have lost possession and Harris said afterwards that he saw areas where improvement is required if they are to build momentum when they resume their league campaign at Crewe Alexandra on September 12.

But there is no doubt that Archer is growing into his role. Already a fine shot-stopper, there was a chance to hear him command his area and his defence as with just 2,050 supporters inside the ground there was at times not enough noise to dilute his instructions.

Part of the credit for another clean sheet must also go to Edwards, who was superb on his first start for the club this season. He played nothing like a 36-year-old who had missed the best part of a year with a serious knee injury, and that he was able to stride forward in injury time to supply the match-winning cross demonstrated not only that he has fully recovered but also that the long stretch out has not dulled his sharpness.

It’s not often a player has the ability to set the tone from a full-back position, but that’s exactly what

©MillwallFC

17

‘SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS’

MILLWALL'S ABDOU: WE NEED HOME WIN TO GET SEASON GOING

BY JOHN KELLY

J

“We have to concentrate and work hard again to try to get that win at home and get our season going.

IMMY Abdou feels Millwall are close to turning their form around, but admitted to a sense of déjà vu after the Lions went behind again this season.

“We knew Chesterfield were a good team, they’ve got some good players in their side and we knew it was going to be tough.

Neil Harris’ side have conceded the opening goal four times this campaign, coming from behind just once to win at Shrewsbury.

“They scored first and I thought in the second half we showed more ambition to win the game. Unfortunately we didn’t so it was quite frustrating.”

Abdou felt Millwall did well up to Jay O’Shea’s strike 18 minutes into Saturday’s game, but Chesterfield dominated the rest of the half and registered almost 70% possession as the home side failed to trouble Tommy Lee in the visitors’ goal.

Abdou came closest to an equaliser when Lee turned away his deflected effort from close range with 15 minutes left, and he echoed his manager’s belief that if the side keeps creating chances eventually the goals will come.

Harris said afterwards he is still searching for the right combination of formation and personnel and Abdou vowed that the squad would be working to turn around their form at The Den in particular, starting with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Peterborough tonight.

“We’re close to scoring,” the midfielder stressed. “We were on top for a few minutes before they scored but I think after they scored they got back into the game, so it was the same story again.

He said: “It’s a tough time at the minute because we still don’t have any points at home. We have to stay together now.

“If we had scored first it would have been a different game.”

20

ŠMillwallFC

BY JAY TAYLOR

©MillwallFC

MILLWALL MANAGER NEIL HARRIS WANTS SENIOR PLAYERS TO STEP UP

N

EIL Harris wants more from his senior players as Millwall aim to end their losing sequence at home against Peterborough tomorrow.

“Some of the senior players haven’t necessarily performed outstandingly well at home and have had the feelings of the fans known to them, so we freshened up with the young lads.

Seven homegrown players featured in the defeat to Chesterfield on Saturday, including three teenagers.

“But with the young lads comes mistakes and lack of knowhow sometimes.

Sid Nelson, Ben Thompson and Fred Onyedinma were joined in the starting line-up by Jack Powell, who made his first league start this season.

“It’s about getting the balance right.”

Dean Saunders, meanwhile, felt his side coped well with Millwall’s direct strategy and praised his goalkeeper Tommy Lee after he had made a couple of impressive saves.

Harris was happier with an improved performance in the second half against the Spireites, but says he still hasn’t found the “right formula” for his side.

He said: “That’s a good result for us and in the first half we played as well as we can play, we kept the ball off them. I don’t think they had a shot until 75 minutes.

He explained. “If we can build momentum, which we did, then the fans will get behind us and if we keep creating chances then the goals will come.

“I knew at some stage they’d get a grip of what we were doing and eventually, a bit of it our fault and a bit of it their determination, they came out for the second half, rolled their sleeves up and had a right go at us.

“Unfortunately the chances did come but the goals didn’t which ultimately means we’ve gone another game without a home win.

“It’s difficult, you want to play in front of your fans, you want this to be a fortress.

“It’s difficult to play against when they’re that direct, their back four were just booming it on top of us and they’ve got some strong players up there.

“It’s not quite right so I have to search for the right formula of players and formation.

“But when we had the ball Jack did well.

“I’ve worked with Steve Morison and he’s a good player, uses his body well. We didn’t pick the second ball up at times and they were getting chances and Tommy Lee has made two great saves.”

He gives us balance in midfield and I think in the second half when we were on top Jack was pivotal to what we did.

“He gave us a calmness in midfield and gives you quality set-play delivery.

23

ŠMillwallFC

HARRIS RUES MISSED CHANCES AS MILLWALL LOSE AT HOME AGAIN

BY JOHN KELLY

N

EIL Harris backed his young players to turn Millwall’s form around after Chesterfield became the latest side to leave The Den with three league points.

keeper going the wrong way, and at the other end their deflected shot ends up in the back of the net.

“We weren’t clinical enough, we created chances but weren’t clinical enough. It’s getting the mix right between being an attacking threat and creating chances and being solid at the back, and it probably wasn’t quite right today.

Jay O’Shea’s double gave the Spireites the win as Millwall’s losing home run stretched to four games.

Harris acknowledged that the Lions were second best in the first half, but was frustrated that a much-improved performance after the break went unrewarded.

“I think the sucker-punch was the second goal, the first one was a great strike. If we had been more clinical in between then the result would have been different.

He had replaced Lee Gregory with Aiden O’Brien at half-time, injecting more pace into the side, and Jimmy Abdou almost equalised 15 minutes from time but Tommy Lee pushed his deflected shot away.

“Tactically we changed it with Aiden giving us that link in the play rather than being more direct and that certainly helped, it enabled us to make that extra pass at times.

Harris said: “I thought we started okay but then their midfield dominated, possession-wise.

“We were disappointed at half-time, we know we didn’t play well in the first half.

“We just said at half-time, go out and enjoy yourselves, express yourselves. We’re going to make mistakes with young lads in the team, they’re going to get things slightly wrong.

“After 35 minutes we got a foothold back in the game, came in at half-time and made a change to give us more of a link in the play.

“In the second half we were the much better team. I think what summed it up for me is Jimmy’s deflected shot is saved by the

“But I hope we don’t get punished every time we make mistakes as a group.”

25

MILLWALL CHESTERFIELD

0 2

©MillwallFC

M

JAY O’Shea’s brace helped Chesterfield inflict a third successive league defeat on Millwall at The Den this season.

Much of that was down to Aiden O’Brien, who came on for Lee Gregory at half-time, and Millwall came closest to equalising 15 minutes from the end only for Tommy Lee to deny Jimmy Abdou.

The midfielder was given way too much space on the edge of the box to arrow a right-footed volley past Jordan Archer into the bottom corner on 17 minutes.

Fred Onyedinma also could have equalised when he just failed to connect with an O’Brien cross, but Chesterfield were dangerous on the break and substitute Mani Dieseruvwe nearly wrapped it up when he shot across Archer.

Dean Saunders’ side dominated the first half as Millwall struggled to put any moves of note together and, though the Lions improved after the break, O’Shea sealed it in injury time with the last kick of the game.

As he did last week, Archer also produced another one-on-one to deny Sam Morsy in the first half, but he was blameless when O’Shea’s shot took a deflection and looped over him to give Chesterfield their third win of the season.

The Spireites deserved their win despite a spirited second-half performance from the home side.

26

DID HARRIS STICK WITH THE SAME FORMATION?

The mood was really edgy already at that stage and would have plummeted had that gone in. As it was the players were booed off at half-time and, apart from Powell’s attempts to get something going, there was little else to be positive about.

The Millwall boss sprung something of a surprise before the game by dropping Shaun Williams and giving Jack Powell his first league start of the season. Chesterfield started with a 4-5-1 formation and the Lions matched them with Abdou, Ben Thompson and Powell in the centre of the pitch.

There were few scares for Chesterfield keeper Lee to deal with and the first-half stats were damning: Millwall had just 31% possession and no shots on goal.

Powell sat at the base, but wasn’t restricted from moving forward. He has bags of skill and is a classy, confident footballer who said in pre-season he feels he has a complete game.

WHAT CHANGED AFTER THE BREAK?

O’Brien came on and immediately looked more comfortable in the role than Steve Morison. He gave Millwall a lift and offered more pace to trouble Liam O’Neil.

And it was obvious early on that he wanted to get the ball down and pass it only to find few options in front of him. It was Chesterfield who dominated the ball in the opening 45 minutes, with captain Morsy dictating everything in midfield.

That was something that was clearly missing in the first half and Millwall finally started to pin their opponents back as the half went on. Shaun Cummings was also instructed to push further forward and had a number of opportunities to work crosses for Morison, now in a central role.

The uncertainty worked its way into Millwall’s defensive mindset as well and they seemed unsure who exactly should have been closing down in the build-up to O’Shea’s goal.

ARCHER PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF

It all resulted in much more activity in and around Chesterfield’s box and Lee had to pull off a stunning save to deny Abdou an equaliser on 75 minutes.

He didn’t have much of a chance with O’Shea’s shot. It may have taken him slightly by surprise but it was really well placed into the bottom corner.

Paris Cowan-Hall also came on to offer more directness and while it was all a bit helter-skelter, at least Harris got a reaction from his side in the second half.

On 40 minutes though he produced a brilliant save to deny Morsy after the midfielder found himself free in the box. Archer rushed off his line to spread himself and divert the ball out for a corner.

©MillwallFC

©MillwallFC

27

CLASSIC NEWSATDEN

MATCH REPORTS THREE YEARS AG0 1ST SEPTEMBER 2012

MILLWALL

T R O T T E R 2 5 ’, K E O G H 3 5 ’, 8 6 ’

M TAYLOR DUNNE LOWRY OSBORNE MALONE WRIGHT TROTTER HENRY ABDOU HENDERSON KEOGH

A

3-1 1 2 4 15 39 5 7 16 38 9 30

33 2 12 27 28 4 6 14 26 7 20

NDY Keogh scored a brace to inspire Millwall to a 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough and their first home win of the season.

MIDDLESBROUGH

EMNES 43 ’ P EN

STEELE HOYTE FRIEND HINES WOODGATE ZEMMAMA) LEADBITTER MCEACHRAN HAROUN ) EMNES MILLER

of possession – and Keogh added a third late on.

Millwall could have opened the scoring in just the tenth minute when James Henry’s corner was knocked down by Karleigh Osborne into the path of Keogh, who swivelled and fired straight at keeper Luke Steele.

Keogh netted a goal in each half after Liam Trotter’s dipping volley had given the Lions a 25th-minute lead against Tony Mowbray’s play-off chasers.

Keogh went even closer to putting the Lions ahead moments later when his header was blocked by Steele’s one-handed save and the rebound came back off the post.

Marvin Emnes converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time with the score at 2-0, but the visitors were on the backfoot for much of the second half – despite having long spells 28

© Daily Mail

nearly got it in the 52nd minute.

But the deadlock was finally broken when Trotter was given time and space to strike a bouncing ball on the half-volley over Steele and into the top corner from 20 yards.

Henry’s low free-kick caused chaos in the Boro box but neither Keogh or Osborne could stab the loose ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

And it was 2-0 ten minutes later when Keogh rifled in the rebound after Henry’s shot had smacked the inside of the post.

At the other end, Grant Leadbitter’s drive from the edge of the area flew narrowly before Friend’s driving run was ended by Henry’s superb block as Boro pushed for an equaliser.

Boro were handed a route back into the match on the stroke of half-time when Jimmy Abdou’s reckless lunge sent former Den loanee George Friend flying in the area, leaving referee Fred Graham with little choice other than to point to the spot.

But Millwall continued to pose problems on the counter attack and should have put the game to bed when Keogh cut the ball back to the onrushing Scott Malone, but the leftback did not strike his shot cleanly.

Powerful frontman Marvin Emnes, who until then had been restricted to tame long shots, sent Maik Taylor the wrong way to set up a tense second period.

Malone made amends, though, when his run and cross led to Keogh’s match-clinching strike – a deft flick at the near post which bounced in off the far post to cap an impressive team performance.

Manager Kenny Jackett replaced Darius Henderson with Shaun Batt at the interval as the Lions pushed for a killer third goal – and they 29

ANDY

KEOGH © Daily Mail

Š Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC

LEAGUE ONE TABLE P W D L F A G D PT

1 Wa ls a l l 5 4 1 0 11 3 8 13 2 Sh e f f i e l d U n i t e d 5 4 0 1 9 5 4 1 2 3 B ur t on A l bi on 5 4 0 1 7 4 3 1 2 4 Gillin g h a m 5 3 2 0 1 0 3 7 1 1 5 C o v e n t r y C i t y 5 3 1 1 1 2 6 6 10

6 Ro c h da l e 5 3 1 1 8 2 6 10 7 C h e s t e r fi e l d 5 3 1 1 7 4 3 10 8 Swindon Tow n 5 2 2 1 9 7 2 8 9 F le e t w ood Tow n 5 2 1 2 9 7 2 7 10 O ld ha m A t h l e t i c 5 1 4 0 4 3 1 7 1 1 W iga n A t h l e t i c 5 2 1 2 4 4 0 7

12 B a r n s l e y 5 2 1 2 5 8 -3 7

13 P o r t Va l e 5 1 3 1 6 4 2 6 14 Do n c a s t e r R ove r s 5 1 3 1 3 4 -1 6 15 Scun t h or p e U n i t e d 5 1 2 2 5 7 -2 5 16 B r a d for d C i t y 5 1 2 2 4 7 -3 5

17 B ur y 5 0 4 1 1 0 11 -1 4 18 P e t e r borou g h U n i t e d 5 1 1 3 5 9 -4 4

19 Millw a l l 5 1 1 3 4 10 -6 4 20 So ut he n d U n i t e d 5 0 3 2 3 6 -3 3 2 1 C o lche s t e r U n i t e d 5 0 3 2 5 1 0 -5 3 22 Sh re w s bu r y Tow n 5 0 2 3 4 7 -3 2 23 C re w e A l exa n dr a 5 0 2 3 5 9 -4 2 24 B la ck p ool 5 0 1 4 3 1 2 -9 1

FIXTURES 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

ROCHDALE T HE DEN S ATU RDAY 26 T H S E P T E M B E R

W IGAN ATHLETIC DW STAD I UM TUESDAY 29TH S E P T E M BE 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 2 2 0 0 S. Cu mmi n g s 5 5 0 0 T. Cr a i g 5 5 0 0 S. Ne l s on 3 3 0 0 M. B e e ve r s 4 4 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 1 1 0 0 B. T homp s on 4 2 0 0 N. A bdou 3 3 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 2 0 0 0 L . G re g or y 5 5 0 1 F. O ny e di n ma 5 5 1 2 J. M a r q u i s 2 0 0 0 S. M or i s on 5 5 1 1 A. O ’ B r i e n 3 0 0 0 A. P a ve y 0 0 0 0

ACADEMY ROUND-UP

UNDER 21S

UNDER 18S

Millwall 3-0 IPSWICH TOWN

BRISTOL CITY 0-0 MILLWALL

Friday 28th August

22nd August

Millwall Line up:

Millwall Line Up:

Girling,

Hobbs,

Edwards (Parr),

Brown,

Chesmain,

McNamara,

Farrell,

White,

Gallifuoco,

Bray,

Mbulu,

Green,

Raisis,

Campbell,

Romeo (Okenabirhie),

Fitzgerald,

Pavey,

Ndjoli,

Philpot,

Ebuzoeme,

Eze.

Richards

MFC Scorers: PHILPOT, PAVEY (pen),OKENABIRHIE

Subs not used: Bray, Barton, Brown.

35

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

0-2 L

1 -0 W

Ford e

Archer

Archer

Ar cher

Cu m m in gs

C u mmi n g s

Cu mmi ng s ( 8 6)

Ed w a rd s

Nel so n

N e l s on ( 6 1)

Nel son

Nel son

Crai g

B e e ve r s

B eever s

B eevers

Fe rgus o n (92)

Craig

Cra i g

Cr a i g

U pso n (61 )

T h omp s on

Thomp son

Onyed i nma (94)

Wi lliams (61 )

W i l l i a ms

Pow el l ( 76)

Wi l l i a ms

Ab d o u

A bdou

Ab d ou

Thompson

Onyedin m a

Upson Ony e di n ma

Onyed i nma

Greg o r y

G re g or y ( 7 1)

G reg or y ( 4 6)

M a r q u i s (69)

Mo ri so n

M or i s on

M ori son

O’ B ri en ( 81)

Archer

For de

Ford e

G i rl i ng

Webste r

C ow a n - H a l l

Wi l l i a ms

Web ster (94)

Thomp s o n (61 )

U p s on

Up son

Pow el l

Cowan - Hall

L Martin

Web ster

G reg or y (69)

L Mar tin ( 92 )

Marquis

M a rqu i s ( 8 6)

Cow a n-Hall (81)

O’ Brie n ( 61 )

We bs t e r ( 6 1)

Cow a n-H a l l ( 76)

Marqui s

O’ B r i e n ( 7 1)

O’ B r i end ( 4 6)

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

For more information about NewsAtDen or to speak to us about this magazine, advertising opportunities and more, please contact josh@shedcreativedesign.com

Thank you to all the people who have helped produce this magazine: FOUNDER / MANAGING DIRECTOR:

Chris Mullany FOUNDER / MANAGING DIRECTOR:

Kevin Quinn CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER:

Also, we would love to hear any suggestions you have for future editions of our magazine. Please get in touch.

John Kelly

Twitter: @newsatden

DESIGNER:

SPORTS REPORTER:

Jay Taylor

Josh French

Facebook: /newsatden IMAGES: Millwall FC, Brian Tonks, Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC, Daily Mail

Online: newsatden.co.uk NEWSATDEN IS PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MATCHDAY MORNING

39

Created by