NewsAtDen Magazine Issue 20

ISSUE

20

TONY CRAIG

HEALING AFTER “AMERICAN FOOTBALL” INJURY 1

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CONTENTS EXCLUSIVE

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PREVIEW

TC HEALING AFTER “AMERICAN FOOTBALL” INJURY

CHESTERFIELD

OPINION

OPINION

THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

MILLWALL YOUTH FOCUS PAYING OFF

FEATURE

INTERVIEW

MILLWALL A TO Z

INTERVIEW

8 16 30 54

MILLWALL TOP SCORER GREGORY PRAISES WALLACE IMPACT

MATCH REPORT

MILLWALL FANS RIGHT TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS, SAYS WALLACE

MILLWALL 3 PORT VALE 1 3

ŠMillwall FC

TC HEALING AFTER “AMERICAN FOOTBALL” INJURY

By John Kelly

“I’ve got great physios behind me and so far it’s been going well.

ILLWALL club captain Tony Craig said the injury he suffered against Bradford is more commonly associated with American Football players.

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“It’s very frustrating but first and foremost I’ve got to get this correct. I can’t rush it in any way, I’ve been told that.

It has to be 100 percent so there are no repercussions later.

Craig has been out of action since October 31 when his block tackle on Bantams striker James Hanson left him with serious knee damage.

“I take it day by day and I’m gradually walking better on it.

He is now well on the road to recovery – but admitted he’s had to tell club physio Bobby Bacic to make sure he doesn’t do too much too soon.

I’ve told Bob in no uncertain terms ‘Don’t let me get ahead of schedule’.

Sometimes you have to tell me to calm down.

“I did the lateral ligament on the outside of my left leg, but I also did my hamstring as well and it became unattached,” he explained. “For a footballer it’s quite an unusual injury. It’s like an American Football injury because they get the impact on the side.

“But I can’t speak highly enough of Bob, he’s been brilliant for me from day one.

“At the moment we can’t really set a target. We’ve got to go to see the surgeon on Thursday week and it’s all down to him. Unfortunately it’s one of those injuries where we can’t afford to rush it. I really would love to but obviously my health’s important

“It was one of those things with the way I play.

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and I have to get it correct.

“I’m swimming and on a bike and even doing the cross trainer as well. I’m not running yet.”

Since Craig’s injury, which came six games into a spell of nine unbeaten, Millwall have been struggled to find real consistency.

elling. Sometimes when there’s an away game on a Tuesday you’re not getting to your house until two, three or even four in the morning so that does have an effect. Your sleep pattern is all over the shop as well.”

Meanwhile, Craig said he’s had an input in the dressing room despite his playing absence.

The Lions have lost six of their 15 games since then, but Craig pointed out that they won’t have to cope with disrupted recovery periods as they did in the first half of the season when they played five league games away from home on Tuesday nights.

He explained: “I’m there before the game and at half-time as well. Being the captain it’s best to keep involved.

“I’ve got to encourage the lads as best I can, I speak before the game and at half-time but I’d much prefer to be out on the pitch.

“You could say we’re inconsistent but we’re eighth in the league, a point off the play-offs so there are a lot of positives,” Craig said. “There have been good performances and some not so good. But it’s a competitive league.

“You want the best for everyone, they’re not only teammates – they’re mates as well.

“There’s been a lot of trav-

“I’ve certainly put my point across, going in before the game to gee the boys up. As a person I want to do it and I feel as the captain I have to do it as well.”

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PREVIEW:

CHESTERFIELD

By John Kelly

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Wilson’s first defeat since he officially took charge.

ILLWALL are likely to be unchanged for their trip to Chesterfield as they chase three successive Sky Bet League One wins for the first time this season.

And Wilson expects Saturday’s opponents to be “uncompromising” as he attempts to steer the club away from relegation danger.

Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson’s current loan deal is set to expire after the game and he could continue at left-back with Joe Martin on the bench.

“I know a lot about Millwall and I expect a lot from them,” Wilson told Derbyshire Times.

“Millwall are a club where the fans expect commitment, drive and energy from the players.

Jed Wallace will play for the fourth time in his scheduled seven-game spell, while Steve Morison and Lee Gregory will be confident of adding to their combined total of 23 goals this season.

“They’re always tough and, at times, uncompromising, and they always have players that can make a difference. This season, that’s no different.

Asked if manager Neil Harris tells his players to ignore the league table, Gregory said: “No, he said before the (Port Vale) game a win would take us to a point off the play-offs. We just need to put a few league wins together to get us firmly in there.

“Maybe they’ll be coming to Chesterfield expecting to pick up three points, and we’re ready for that.”

Form guide (Last five league): Chesterfield: LDWWL Millwall: LWLWW

“There’s a long way to go. It’s going to be tight for that last spot if the other five teams do run away with it. You want to be more comfortably in there rather than chasing it and losing games that way.”

Sky Bet odds: Chesterfield 2/1 Draw 12/5 Millwall 11/8 Probable Millwall team: 4-4-2:

After a promising start to the season Chesterfield sacked Dean Saunders in November and appointed Danny Wilson, who led Barnsley to the top flight in 1997, on Christmas Eve.

Archer; Cummings, Webster, Beevers, Ferguson; Wallace, Abdou, Wallace, O’Brien; Morison, Gregory.

They defeated Shrewsbury 7-1 in their last game at home before winning 3-2 at Rochdale.

Chesterfield lost 3-1 at Wigan last weekend,

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TAKE A PUNT If you’re looking for a fixture to include in your weekly accumulator then ‘Both teams to score’ would seem a sensible option here.

It’s available at 8/13, pretty short odds but probably well justified.

Millwall have kept just two clean sheets in 10 games since Tony Craig was injured at the end of October. Chesterfield haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 11 games and have conceded five in their last two fixtures.

They scored seven goals in their last home game against Shrewsbury, and indicated earlier in the season when they won 2-0 at The Den that they contain plenty of threats up front.

Neil Harris said before the season started he wanted to play attacking, “end-to-end” football that would excite supporters.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

By John Kelly

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That’s certainly been the case this month when Millwall could just as easily have lost to Oldham as won, and won at Barnsley as lost.

They also created a number of chances in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Oxford, but looked vulnerable when the League Two side shifted the ball quickly between players in attacking positions.

Chesterfield have scored 12 goals in four games since Danny Wilson took charge officially and the game on Saturday is likely to see both sides creating numerous scoring chances.

Easy money.

FERGIE TIME DRAWS TO A CLOSE – NOW CAN MILLWALL REPEAT THE TRICK? Shane Ferguson will probably start at left-back in the final game of his loan spell.

Harris and the majority of Millwall fans are desperate for him to stay but, as unpopular an idea as it might be, it’s completely understandable that he might want to bide his time until after the European Championships be-

fore deciding his next move.

McLaughlin.

There aren’t too many players the chunk of whose careers in terms of playing time have been spent in League One who get the opportunity to put themselves in the shop window at a major international tournament.

Lions fans won’t recall Hasselbaink’s former side too fondly, but the current Queens Park Rangers manager could have done Millwall a big favour this week by signing Conor Washington from Peterborough.

That’s the chance Ferguson has. He’s not first choice for his country but could be by the time the tournament starts. He will at least get some game time and the prestige of appearing in a European Championships is likely to bump up his worth in terms of a weekly wage.

Money aside, Ferguson must also consider what level he thinks he could perform regularly at.

Millwall fans who travelled to Peterborough in early October will remember Washington as one part of an all-singing, all-dancing unpredictable attack that ran amok against the visitors.

Washington scored once and repeatedly terrorised a beleaguered Lions back four.

That goal was one of 15 he scored for the Posh this season, 10 of them in the league. He scored eight league goals in the nine games before he joined QPR for a reputed £3million.

Peterborough signed 21-year-old attacker Shaquile Coulthirst from Tottenham this week as his replacement but the form Washington was in is close to irreplaceable.

His spell at Millwall, where he will have played 32 times after Saturday’s fixture, will certainly have convinced those closest to him and those who advise him that he is of Championship standard.

Fans can’t be quite sure what goes on behind the scenes and though Ferguson has repeatedly said he has enjoyed his time at Millwall and in London it may be that he thinks he needs to be playing at a higher level to convince Michael O’Neill he should be considered for a starting spot for Euro 2016.

Graham Westley’s side are a point ahead of Millwall in League One and appear to have to quality to compete for one of the play-off places.

With Washington gone that quality is diminished and Millwall-s top-six prospects slightly enhanced.

However it turns out, the signing represented another astute use of the loan market by Harris. Like George Saville, Ferguson was hungry for first-team football and keen to make an impact. He settled in quickly and provided cover in two positions. He was a down-to-earth and popular addition to the squad.

If Saturday is to be his final appearance, the key for Millwall will be to repeat the trick.

WASHINGTON BOOST FOR LIONS Away from Saturday’s fixture for a moment.

The last match Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink presided over as Burton manager was the 2-1 defeat of Millwall at the start of December.

His team were belligerent and vociferous with the referee, Oliver Langford, throughout the 90 minutes and arguably influenced his decision to send off Mark Beevers for a harmless looking collision with Burton keeper Jon

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Lee Gregory, Steve Morison and Aiden O’Brien all have ten plus goals for the Lions this campaign with Gregory (13) three ahead of Morison and O’Brien who are both on ten goals for the season.

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©MillwallFC

Stat's that...

BY JAY TAYLOR

35 1st 10K 3-1 0-2 5-0

5-1

Millwall and Chesterfield have met on 35 occasions, with both sides recording 14 victories, drawing seven.

Chesterfield’s biggest margin of victory over Millwall came 5-1 during the 2006-07 campaign.

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The Spirites’ new home boasts an attendance capacity of 10,504, compared to the 8,504 that could be housed at the now demolished Saltergate.

Lee Gregory, Steve Morison and Aiden O’Brien all have ten plus goals for the Lions this campaign with Gregory (13) three ahead of Morison and O’Brien who are both on ten goals for the season.

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The first meeting between the two sides was back in the old Second Division on August 27, 1838, where the Lions ran out 3-1 winners on that occasion.

All three, however, have scored the same amount of League goals (7) With Gregory scoring six in cup competitions, to Morison and O’Brien’s three.

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Lee Novak is Chesterfield’s leading goalscorer with nine goals this season with all bar one coming in the league.

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Neil Harris’ men currently sit eighth in the League One table, one point off the play-offs, ten places better off than Dean Saunder’s outfit, who are down in 18th place.

Saturday afternoon will be the Lions’ first visit to the Proact Stadium. Chesterfield have been at their new ground since 2012 after 141 years at their previous home of Saltergate.

The most recent fixture between Millwall and Chesterfield was at The Den on August 29, 2015 – the score on that occasion was 2-0 to the visitors.

Millwall’s biggest win over Chesterfield was 5-0, back in the 1931-32 season.

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The Lions also boast ten more points than their opponents on Saturday, and have a better goal difference by 14 goals (Millwall: +5, Chesterfield: -9)

ŠMillwallFC

MILLWALL YOUTH FOCUS PAYING OFF BUT LOWER LEAGUE TALENT COULD ALSO PAY

By Omer Ronayne

failing to commit to the club on a full-time basis. The likes of Jason Puncheon and Chris Wood come to mind, despite the club on both occasions trying to tie these players to permanent deals.

AVING been relegated last season, the club has publicly stated the change in approach going into this current season. A new manager and his own staff, 18 players leaving the first team squad and also the creation of our newly formed player recruitment department. Our chairman John Berylson has been clear since pre-season and throughout the current campaign that we are now building for the long term, a side that has longevity to compete for years to come instead of the next couple.

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In reality, financially we are a club that can’t afford seven-figure transfer fees with player wages well into the 20,000s. We’ve seen the fees involved with the likes of Ross McCormack joining Fulham, it represents the financial powers available to some of the massive clubs in the division above. Whether it be parachute payments due to relegation from the top league, or foreign investors joining and throwing money at everything. The promise land of the Premier League is only one good campaign away for these clubs, and the money available in the Premier League could set a club up for years to come.

We’ve had success under Kenny Jackett in gaining promotion and we remained in the Championship during his time as manager. However, signings were often made to patch up the squad, with many loan players joining and having a positive impact then

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Last Sunday against Port Vale we recorded an attendance of just over 7,000 fans. Last season before relegation the average attendances weren’t much better, around the 10,000 mark.

These figures can’t compete with the likes of Middlesborough, Leeds, Hull and Derby, clubs who constantly get double with 20,000+ fans a game every week. With this in mind, how can a club of our size have longevity in The Championship and compete for years to come at the right end of the table?

With the youth system now back in place, and players such as Aiden O’Brien, Sid Nelson, Ben Thompson and Fred Onyedinma all pushing into the first-team group, we’re already seeing the rewards of investing in the academy. We’re now able to produce our own assets internally which for a club of our size is hugely important for our growth and development.

Equally important to this equation, we have a manager who has put huge amounts of faith in the younger players, and gives an added confidence to each young player who represents the club. Even the biggest clubs in the country, who invest heavily in their academies, often fail to give their younger players a chance in their senior squad.

One of the biggest changes in the last couple of years has been the reintroduction of our own academy. In 2007 the academy was the first thing to be put on hold when John Berylson initially joined. With the club in serious trouble financially, Berylson decided it would be best to pull the plug on a system which wasn’t working. At the time you couldn’t blame the chairman, as the squad had a real lack of home-grown players who had come through the youth sides prior to his arrival. It was an unnecessary cost for a club that was struggling for money.

The likes of Chelsea have an U18 side that has dominated the FA Youth Cup for the past five years, yet their younger players struggle to get a game in their senior side. Without giving these players a chance we may never see their undoubted potential. This is an area as a club we’ve decided to tackle. Onyedinma, before signing professionally, had offers from these kinds of clubs but decided to commit to us to continue his development and transition into the senior side.

Back then any sort of prospect we had at a young age was also being poached by the big clubs in the country, with David Amoo and Yusuf Mersin both joining Liverpool.

It showed we couldn’t keep hold of any prospects worth any money.

Perhaps for their development both should’ve stayed with the club at the time. However, with no clear path to the first team, you couldn’t blame the youngsters for leaving. ©MillwallFC

With the likes of Onyedinma now in the senior fold, it shows a clear path to our other prospects who may have offers from the Premier League academies. Harris himself has been quoted as saying that if a player earns the 18

right to be considered he will give them a chance. Young players in our division who play every week and do well will eventually get picked up by clubs above us. This week there was another example with QPR completing the signing of Peterborough forward Conor Washington for a fee rumoured to be around £3million.

Washington is another player picked up from the lower leagues, following in the footsteps of Craig Mackail-Smith, Aaron McLean, Dwight Gayle and Brit Assombalonga to name a few. All of these transfers add up to a huge profit for Peterborough with the money going straight back into the club to help improve the growth of the club both on the field and off it. It’s an impressive achievement to constantly find these players in the lower divisions, and proves that the talent is out there to be grabbed.

ishes on 20+ goals in the league this season it’s inevitable clubs in the higher leagues will be having a look at him. Considering how much the likes of Assombalonga and Gayle left Peterborough for, would I take a multi-million pound offer for O’Brien? If assuming it all gets invested back into the club it could help go a long way.

For a club of our size I’m sure this is a method considered by the board to bring sustained growth over the long-term period.

Peterborough as a club is another in our division with not the highest attendances. However, with the use of player development, they’re able to fund the club through player sales.

A realistic approach with a club that doesn’t have a massive fan base, and an example I wouldn’t mind our club looking into. With the academy now producing our own talent, and the player recruitment department constantly looking for players, we should be able to find our own coups in the lower leagues.

Not to be misunderstood, I wouldn’t want us to be known a selling club.

However, if a player like O’Brien fin19

©MillwallFC

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A

IS FOR APPEARANCES

By Mark Litchfield

Plymouth Argyle on May 15th, 1982, the defender gave his all and typified the term ‘real ‘Wall’, scoring 28 goals in the process.

O kick off ‘The A-Z of Millwall’, lets take a look at those who have appeared in the blue and white down the years.

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Taking the silver medal is Keith Stevens. With a Lions career spanning from April 1981 to April 1999, ‘Rhino’ notched up 557 appearances, adding 10 goals.

A huge part of two promotion winning sides (1984/85 under George Graham and 1987/88 under John Docherty), Stevens began to mould a new breed of promotion candidates in the late 90’s, as along with Alan McLeary, the likes of Paul Ifill, Richard Sadlier, Neil Harris and more began to flourish.

From Barry Kitchener to Neil Harris and from Eamon Dunphy to Bryan King, the list of the top 20 appearance makers reads as a who’s who of Lions greats; it would be quite the team nowadays!

Top of the list is the man himself, Barry Kitchener. With a whopping 589 starts (with a further seven as a substitute), ‘Kitch’ is rightly one of the first names out of the mouths of any Lions fan when waxing lyrical about their club.

Of course, Mark McGhee would steer Millwall to Division One in 2001, but Rhino and McLeary built the foundations for such successes.

From his debut against Birmingham City in 1967 to his final game for Millwall in a 2-1 defeat by 21

The greats continue as you look further down the list, with Neil Harris in fourth (more on him in a later issue!) and Alan McLeary in fifth. The top ten includes two players from recent memory in Alan Dunne and Paul Robinson, whilst two David’s, Forde and Livermore, are inside the top 20.

Also on the podium is the man that the more experienced Lions fans cite as their hero – Harry Cripps.

Despite the fact that he joined from West Ham United, with 39 goals in 443 appearances, ‘’Arry’ became a fans favourite from the moment his Den career began against Wrexham in the Fourth Division in 1961, right up to his final game versus Sunderland in 1974 and beyond.

To close out, a mention must be made for Jimmy Abdou, who made his 300th appearance against Port Vale on January 17th, 2016, which propels him to 20th place on the list. Well done, Jimmy!

Cripps’ finest moment in his Millwall career probably came between 1964-1967, as the Lions went a huge 59 games unbeaten at The Den – if only the current side could do that now!

©MillwallFC

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B

IS FOR BLUE

By Mark Litchfield

the 1967/68 season), an all white strip ruled for the following seven seasons – this particular kit was notable as the likes of Derek Possee, Harry Cripps, Keith Weller etc made their name over this period of time.

T’S the colour that has become synonymous with Millwall Football Club over the years. Blue has predominantly appeared on Lions’ shirts year after year, first being seen back in the 1880s’, as the newly found club took to the field in blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks.

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Between 1975 and 1993 – Millwall’s last year at the Old Den – the blue returned in different guises. Whether it was with white edges, sleeves, bands or hoops, blue reigned supreme for over two decades, as an all-white kit was not seen again until 1999.

In the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, the strip changed ever so slightly, with blue and white hooped socks making their introduction, before the early 60’s saw the debut of a white strip, complete with blue band across the midriff and blue shorts, with white socks.

The 1993/94 season – the first at the New Den – saw a pinstripe kit adopted, which was re-created for the 20th anniversary at the Den in 2013/14. The famous 2000/01 campaign saw the Lions romp to the Division Two title in an all-white strip (with all-blue away kit) sponsored by

The mid 60’s saw a blue and white vertically striped kit on show and after a brief re-introduction to an all blue shirt (for 23

The 2010/11 season saw Millwall revert back to a darker blue in celebration of the clubs 125th anniversary, with a special one-off shirt being worn at home to Burnley, adorning the names of every single player to have played for the club from its beginnings in 1885.

Giorgio.

24Seven and Ryman sponsored the club as they began life in Division One in the new millennium, with more unique away kits, such as the silver strip of 2001/02, or the green and white striped strip of 2003/04 coming into action, as the Lions made their way towards the FA Cup Final and a place in the UEFA Cup the following year.

Since then, Racing Plus, Prostate Cancer UK, EuroFerries and now Wallis Teagan have found their name across the shirt, as the Lions have stuck with the darker blue.

This seasons’ strip sees a blue shirt accompanied with white sleeves, white shorts and blue and white hooped socks, as fans voted for a more retro look.

Beko and Oppida saw the club through some difficult times in the mid-noughties, as Millwall suffered relegation from the Championship to League One in 2005/06, but local outfit, CYC, was part of the Lions’ resurgence, as a stylish blue strip, complete with roaring lion on the front, was worn as Swindon Town were defeated in the League One play-off final in 2010.

What has been your favourite kit from years gone by? Let us know!

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HARRIS: IT'S GETTING EXCITING AND MILLWALL NEED TO UP LEVELS

By John Kelly

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ILLWALL boss Neil Harris has warned his players they will be facing a side “on the up” at Proact Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson on Christmas Eve, the Spireites have collected seven points from five league games and scored 12 goals.

Chesterfield handed Millwall their fourth successive home defeat when they won 2-0 at The Den at the end of August, but Dean Saunders’ side then failed to win in September.

They defeated Shrewsbury 7-1 in their last game at home, and Harris is ready for a difficult contest.

“There’s been a big change, after that game they certainly struggled and it cost Dean his job,” Harris said.

Their form in October improved and they sat 10th in the table after a 1-0 win at Fleetwood.

However, results nosedived again in November and Saunders was sacked at the end of the month after a 4-0 defeat at home to Swindon, their fourth league defeat in a row.

“Danny Wilson has gone in and they’ve had a revival and are on the up. We’ve seen them play and they’re a different opposition now to a few weeks ago.

There has been a 15-point swing between the two sides since their meeting earlier in the season, but since the appointment of former

“It’s going to be a tough one, it’s an aggressive team with some

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good players.

that some of our players have. But we also rely on the youthfulness and freshness that some of the boys have at this stage of the season that can give us added impetus.”

“They’ve got players with top-level experience: (Sylvan) Ebanks-Blake, (Lee) Novak. They’ve got players coming through like (Jay ) O’Shea (who scored twice in that 2-0 win) and Sam Morsy, who are good footballers.

The Lions are primed for a promotion push and have a more favourable run of fixtures from now until May 8 with all of the awkward Tuesday night league games away from home out of the way.

“It’s a challenge we’re looking forward to because we feel we’re just building some momentum. It’s a key game for us and after two wins we’re certainly looking to be really difficult opposition for Chesterfield, play with the flair we’ve shown recently but also try and be consistent with defending.”

Asked if the club are currently in the position he expected before the season began, Harris reflected: “I never got that far in front. There was so much change needed in the summer – on and off the pitch – that we just needed to try and stabilise and re-focus and see where it took us.

A win could lift Millwall into the top six if other results go their way, and Harris admits it’s important to increase the pressure on the front runners.

“We changed a lot in a short space of time, certainly off the pitch as well: training methods, routines. Mentally and physically, an overhaul was needed and we’re quietly pleased with how we’ve done.

“But I think it’s clear to see we could be so much better.

“We’ve still got a long way to go as a team,” he admitted. “With 20 games to go, just under half a season, it’s getting quite exciting. We need to up our levels, definitely, to see if we can force our way into the top six.

“We’re certainly not going to pat ourselves on the back, we’ve got so much more improvement in us. That’s got to be the drive and the determination is to keep improving because if we were more consistent we could be sitting here with a much better points tally.

“We still don’t look too far ahead of ourselves, we still talk about winning the next game, and concentrate on Chesterfield next.

“We want the teams ahead of us to start looking over their shoulders at Millwall, Sheffield United and teams like that. The only way you do that is by winning games. We have to focus on ourselves and use the experience

“The time for assessing is not now, it’ll be towards the end of the season.”

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MILLWALL TOP SCORER GREGORY PRAISES WALLACE IMPACT

By John Kelly

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box and I know the ball is going to be there.

ILLWALL’s top scorer Lee Gregory has hailed the impact Jed Wallace has made in the three games he’s played since his loan move from Wolves.

“It depends on what type of player it is (how long it takes to settle).

With Jed he’s direct so you more or less know straightaway what he’s going to do. Jed’s come straight in and done brilliantly.”

Wallace supplied the deep cross from the right wing against Port Vale that Gregory finished past Jak Alnwick for his 12th goal of the season for the Lions.

Millwall face an away game against Chesterfield this Saturday as they continue their efforts to edge into the top six in League One, and Gregory believes not being on the road again in the league on a Tuesday night could be advantageous to Millwall’s promotion hopes.

Gregory scored his 13th from the penalty spot as Millwall made it two league wins in a row.

The 27-year-old centre-forward says because of his style of play, Wallace needed little time to settle into the side.

“There’s probably nothing worse than an away trip on a Saturday and another away trip on a Tuesday night,” he explained.

“He’s a good player, Jed. He’s very direct so you know when he gets the ball he’s going to be running with it and he’s going to be putting balls into the box,” Gregory said.

“We said as soon as we finished (at Burton) once we’d done that we knew we didn’t have any more away trips like that.”

“For me it’s about getting into the

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MILLWALL FANS RIGHT TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS, SAYS WALLACE

By John Kelly

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ED Wallace is only three games into his loan spell but he has seen enough to believe fans are right to set high standards for the Millwall squad. ing to the pressure and we’re definitely doing that in the league at the moment.”

Wallace made his home debut in the 2-0 JPT defeat to Oxford last week before providing the spark for the perfect response in Sunday’s win over Port Vale with a pinpoint cross for Lee Gregory’s first goal.

Wallace arrived at Millwall with a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder after 30 in 114 starts for Portsmouth. He came close to opening his Millwall account against Oxford, and believes his current side is an exciting one for an attacking player to be part of.

The 21-year-old midfielder has already detected a strong spirit in the dressing room and his experiences playing under Neil Harris have confirmed he was right to turn down offers to move elsewhere.

“It’s ideal,” he explained. “The ball goes up front and (Gregory and Steve Morison) want to get it to the wide players in one-v-ones to get crosses in and that was the case on Sunday. Every team has a different style of play. At Wolves it was a bit more intricate whereas here I know I’m getting at the full-back and crossing it and there are two people in the box in Moro and Gregs that are very capable of getting on the end of it.

“It’s a very tight-knit changing room,” Wallace said. “There are a lot of local lads. There are a lot of English lads in there and obviously Jimmy (Abdou) has been here a long time.

It’s a good changing room, a good place to play my football.

“There are high expectations from the fans, which I enjoy because there should be. We should be ris33

“My game’s all based around goals and assists and it always has been.

“I’m just disappointed I haven’t been on the scoresheet. I think it’s just that little bit of composure. Every game my quality will improve when I get fitter and sharper.

“I played League One when I was 17 when I was with Portsmouth and got six goals.”

Wallace also believes he has the attributes that appeal to Lions supporters, explaining: “I back myself to the hilt with my ability and my attitude. I’m always going to work hard. I’d like to think the Millwall fans appreciate that. People like Paul Robinson, I’m not like him throwing myself into tackles, but I definitely do as much running.

“That’s what my game is. I’m just enjoying it. I’m really enjoying playing at The Den, with the atmosphere there. As a footballer I think you’ve got to thrive under that type of pressure.”

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P LAYER PROF I L E :

SEA N DYCHE

By Mark Litchfield

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ith the Lions travelling north to Chesterfield this Saturday (23rd), there was only one man to put under the spotlight this week – Sean Dyche. the defender to London in July 1999, securing his services for £150,000.

The gravel-voiced former defender is now the manager at Championship side, Burnley, but in his playing days, Dyche enjoyed successful spells in S40 and SE16, racking up nearly 300 appearances in total and being an integral part of two thriving sides in the process.

He had to wait a while to make his debut, as the likes of Stuart Nethercott, Joe Dolan and Scott Fitzgerald claimed first-team berths in the 1999/00 season, but on March 11th 2000, the ‘Ginger Mourinho’ appeared for the first time in a 2-0 win at one of his former clubs, Luton Town, as the Lions chased the top two and the automatic promotion spots.

Starting his career at Nottingham Forest, Dyche moved to Chesterfield in 1990, spending seven years at the Saltergate outfit, with perhaps his most memorable moment coming in the 1997 FA Cup Semi Final, as he captained his side to an unforgettable 3-3 draw with Premier League outfit, Middlesbrough, scoring a penalty in the process, to put the Spireites 2-0 up.

That was to be the defenders only appearance of the season, but the following campaign, under Mark McGhee, Dyche cemented his place in the side, making 36 appearances as the Lions stormed to the Division Two title, sealing promotion with a 1-1 draw at Wrexham, before winning the title on the final day with a 5-0 thumping of Oldham Athletic.

Dyche left for Bristol City shortly after that cup tie, making 17 appearances, before – via a loan spell at Luton Town – joint managers, Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary, brought

37

Whether it was alongside Dolan or Nethercott, Dyche became a part of a solid defence as Millwall eased to the top of the league, conceding just 11 goals at The Den all season and only 38 in total – less than one a game.

The defenders willingness to put his body on the line in every challenge became his nemesis on March 30th, as his (successful) attempts to block a goal-bound shot against Stockport County resulted in an injury that would end his season – and Millwall career.

Darren Ward replaced Dyche in the 34th minute, who wouldn’t be seen in Millwall colours again.

The 2001/02 season – Millwall’s first back in Division One – saw the defender continue to be a key part of the back four, as he made 38 appearances, scoring three goals – his entire goal tally for the Lions – in the process.

After the heartbreaking play-off defeat to Birmingham, Dyche moved to Watford at the beginning of the 2002/03 season, where he spent three years, before finishing his playing career at Northampton Town between 2005 and 2007.

His first strike came in extraordinary circumstances against Bradford City at Valley Parade on December 1st. Steve Claridge had given Millwall a 41st minute lead and just as that looked to be enough to grab all three points, Robbie Blake equalised deep into injury time for the Bantams. However, the Lions went straight up the other end and after forcing a corner, the ball fell to Dyche on the edge of the box. The defender sent the ball towards goal with a looping effort, which dropped over the ‘keeper and into the net, handing McGhee’s men three priceless – and unexpected – points in the battle for the top six.

After returning to Vicarage Road for spells as Under-18’s manager and assistant manager, Malky Mackay’s move to Cardiff City meant Dyche became the first-team manager at Watford in 2011. Following a change in the clubs ownership, despite his success, the defender was replaced by Gianfranco Zola one year later.

After a spell in the England Under-21’s backroom team, the former Chesterfield man became the boss at Burnley in October 2012, after Eddie Howe’s move to AFC Bournemouth.

His second goal came against Birmingham City – the first of three meetings with the Midlands club that year - early in 2002; his header beat the Blues ‘keeper, Ian Bennett, handing the Lions a point in a promotion six-pointer.

Dyche’s final goal for the Lions came in a 2-1 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday, in a period which saw one win in seven games, as the pursuit of the top two ended, to be replaced by a battle to stay in the play-off places.

Since his appointment at Watford, Sean Dyche has begun to prove himself as one of the best managers outside the Premier League. Having seen him command the back four and having noticed his ability to be one step ahead of the game in his playing days at The Den, I’m sure it’s no surprise to many Millwall fans that he has done so!

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39

WEBSTER: MILLWALL WILL WIN “NICE OR UGLY” TO GET TOP-SIX SPOT

By John Kelly

W

a few results, whether they’re nice or ugly, we need to pick the points up and make sure we’re there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

ITH 20 league games remaining and Millwall a point off the play-off places, Byron Webster admits it’s “win at all costs” between now and the end of the season.

“Whatever league you’re in you need to get that consistency of win, win, draw, win, win instead of win, loss, win, loss.

The Lions haven’t been in the top six this campaign but, despite inconsistent results in the last two months, two wins in three leaves them still in contention.

“It’s about consistency, ticking off the games with three points. It’s as simple as that, we don’t look any further than the next game. The management do their reports and we get the information, so it’s up to us to step over the line and win at all costs, really. We can’t be nice and be easy to roll over.”

And Webster believes the responsibility is on the players to collect the points needed to ensure at least a place in the play-offs come May. “We’re on the coattails of the play-offs and we’ll be putting pressure on those teams above us,” he said. “We need to go on a run where we get

Webster was in commanding form in the 3-1 defeat of Port Vale on Sunday, and started

40

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ŠMillwall FC

the move that led to Lee Gregory firing Millwall 2-0 ahead from the spot.

And he believes that when mistakes are made it is up to each player to ensure they don’t ultimately prove costly.

After a difficult 2014-15 when he played just 14 games for the Lions before going on loan to former club Yeovil in January, Webster has clocked up 27 appearances so far this season.

He lost his place in the side in October but has since formed an understanding in the centre of defence with Mark Beevers in the absence of Tony Craig.

“We were laughing and joking about it, me and Beevs with Moro in the cool-down, it’s a lot easier when they put the ball in the back of the net,” Webster said. “It makes our job as a defensive unit a lot easier, the opposing team need to try and come out and attack and take more risks. And then they’re vulnerable to the counter attack.

Asked after the win over Port Vale about being one of Neil Harris’ first choices in the side Webster said, modestly: “I’m hoping I’m one of the first on the team sheet. It’s good to be playing, obviously. I’ve got a run of games so I’m happy.

I’ve got a good partnership going with Beevs.

“It’s about helping each other out and baling each other out.

I’ve made mistakes in the past which have cost goals and the thing is with defenders and goalkeepers if you make a mistake nine times out of ten it’s a goal.

“Hopefully I’m proving I’m worthy of my place.”

“We’re a good group of lads and a close-knit group and we just have to make sure that when one of us makes a mistake, whether it’s a striker missing a goal or a defender making a mistake and conceding, we need to help each other out and go up the other end and put the ball in the back of the net.”

Webster was also relieved that despite the failure to keep a clean sheet against Port Vale, his teammates Gregory and Steve Morison took the chances that fell their way to ensure there would be no repeat of the defeat against Oxford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy when Millwall missed a host of chances to score.

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BOSS PRAISES PROLIFIC TRIO AS MILLWALL CHASE CONSISTENCY

By John Kelly

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Harris, Morison and Jason Price were Millwall’s three top scorers – with a combined 49 goals – when Milllwall won promotion from League One in 2009-10, with the current three on 33 goals between them and on course to eclipse that total.

ILLWALL boss Neil Harris believes the scoring returns of his three principal strikers is evidence his attacking philosophy is paying off.

Lee Gregory scored twice in the 3-1 win over Port Vale on Sunday to take his tally to the season to 13 with Steve Morison finding the net for the 10th time since his summer move from Leeds.

“I’ve got three attacking players in double figures with 20 games to go. I said when I took over that we’d have an attacking intent, that it would take time to be free-flowing, and we’re nowhere near that yet,” Harris said.

Aiden O’Brien has also scored 10 goals and the three attackers linked up well against Port Vale. Morison’s flicked header set up Gregory in the box before he was fouled by Richard Duffy for the penalty that put Millwall two goals up. Morison scored his side’s third after O’Brien had shown persistence in the box to tee up Gregory, whose shot was saved and deflected to his strike partner who finished.

“But to have three players in double figures is a great achievement for the squad and for those three individuals.”

Millwall travel to Chesterfield next weekend where they will be chasing their third successive league win.

The Lions have followed up a win

47

or draw with a defeat eight times this season and Harris has admitted that the side have struggled to find consistency. Apart from the ninegame unbeaten run in October and November the next longest spell Millwall have gone without defeat was three games in September.

The Millwall boss praised his central defenders for their performances recently, but was disappointed that they let JJ Hooper steal in at the back post to finish Michael O’Connor’s free-kick past Jordan Archer to give Rob Page’s side some hope.

And he believes that improving defensively is key to building on a run of three wins in their last four league games at Proact Stadium next weekend.

Harris explained: “If we can add just a little bit more consistency and reliability defensively to keep more clean sheets then we’re certainly moving in the right direction.

“If we look back at the (Port Vale) game, and reflection is a big part of our learning curve at the club, we’re going to focus on a couple of areas where we can improve. De-

fending that set play will certainly be one of them.

“I thought the centre-halves were excellent as a pair, Byron Webster was outstanding again and I think he is really growing into a reliable player for us.

“Sometimes you just show them positive play, show them where we were very good,” he added. “Obviously we need to concentrate as well on where we need to improve and that’s what we’re doing as a football club and a squad, trying to be better.

“Sometimes you focus on what you’re good at and where you’re doing well. If you can keep doing what you’re doing well and get better and you also improve the negative side of the game, then you’re going to be a really good squad and a really good team.

“We certainly focus from this moment onwards on Chesterfield next week and on their strengths, but we also look at where we’re going really well. If we can just tidy up on key areas defensively then we’ll be looking to put a real surge together.”

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WE DON'T DO “DOOM AND GLOOM” AT MILLWALL, SAYS BOSS

By John Kelly

in the final third that was absent against Oxford.

ILLWALL boss Neil Harris felt his side showed a “killer instinct” in the 3-1 win over Port Vale that was lacking against Oxford last week.

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Lee Gregory and Steve Morison set the tone up front, and Millwall’s positive approach paid off when Gregory got his 12th and 13th goals of the season and Morison his 10th to ensure the gap to Peterborough in sixth place was cut to a point.

The Lions were 3-0 up against their League One rivals before half-time and though they missed chances to add more goals in the second period they still ran out comfortable winners.

“I think we had real attacking intent in the team selection and the team itself, but I’m sure the shot count is a lot lower than it was on Thursday night,” Harris said.

Harris picked an attacking side against Port Vale in Sunday’s clash, with Shane Ferguson starting at left-back in place of Joe Martin and Aiden O’Brien restored to the left side of midfield.

“We had 11 clear-cut open chances to score goals (against Oxford) and didn’t take them and, on reflection, that was the difference between Thursday evening and (Sunday).

We had the killer instinct. The front players showed real quality in and around the penalty area.

Millwall started as if they had a point to prove as they immediately put pressure on the Port Vale defence with the type of incisive attacking and accurate passing

“I asked the players to express

51

themselves and enjoy themselves a little bit and they certainly did that.

“We were disappointed on Thursday night but we should have won the game with the chances we created.”

Harris also described the positive atmosphere among the management and squad leading up to the game despite that Johnstone’s Paint Trophy setback.

“We don’t come in doom and gloom,” he said. “I don’t have that at the training ground and I don’t have that (at The Den).

“The thought process today after (Saturday’s) results was, ‘A win puts us right in the mix, one point off and building momentum from the last league game at Oldham’.

“For the boys this was an opportunity to go and play, we gave them a little bit of freedom to go and express themselves. I thought the first half in particular and some of the play in the second half, one-touch football, was excellent.

“But I think the finishing and the delivery in the box was top drawer.”

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MILLWALL PORT VALE

3 1

©MillwallFC

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ILLWALL won at home for the first time since November 28 to move to within one point of Peterborough in sixth in the Sky Bet League One table.

It was the home side who had chances to make it four, but Ed Upson and Aiden O’Brien, who had the best of them, were unable to punish Port Vale further.

After Thursday night’s disappointing defeat to Oxford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, this was exactly the response Neil Harris wanted, and he got it as Millwall were 3-0 up by the break.

ARCHER BACK AT NUMBER ONE The big talking point before kick-off was whether David Forde would be left out after his mistake against Oxford last weekend, and that question was answered shortly after 2pm when Archer’s name appeared on the team sheet.

Lee Gregory put the Lions ahead in the 14th minute before he doubled the advantage from the spot 20 minutes later.

To be a fly on the wall when that news was delivered. Forde revealed he was unhappy to be dropped in August, so one wonders what his feelings were sitting on the bench today just six games after reclaiming his starting spot.

Jordan Archer was forced into an impressive double-save in between those goals, before Steve Morison made it three a minute before the break.

Substitute JJ Hooper gave his side a glimmer of hope when he headed past Archer just after the hour mark, but Millwall never looked likely to surrender the points.

Archer didn’t take long to justify that decision. He had already made a straightforward catch when after Gregory had put Millwall ahead his side mo-

54

mentarily switched off. That allowed Port Vale conjure an opening on the edge of the box but Archer dived low to his right to palm away Sam Foley’s shot and then sprung to his feet to keep out Colin Daniel’s follow-up. Those are the reactions and abilities that make him potentially a top-class goalkeeper.

No matter. Millwall didn’t falter, the only criticism being they passed up a couple of chances to increase their lead soon after. Upson certainly needed to show more confidence in front of goal when after being set up by O’Brien he placed his low effort from inside the box too close to Jak Alnwick.

WEBSTER PROVIDES DEFENSIVE LEAD If Gregory lead from the front, Webster provided the defensive ballast at the back. He, or more specifically his head, seemed to find most of the long balls Port Vale played forward. Perhaps Rob Page’s side should have altered their approach play, but they just couldn’t find a way past the big defender. One cameo in the second half summed up the authority of his display and his ability to read danger: After he had robbed Ajay Leitch-Smith of the ball but gave away a corner in doing so, it was he at the back post who diverted the ball away with goalscorer Hooper well positioned to nod in a second.

But if there was a tone to be set after the disaster against Oxford it was Gregory taking the responsibility. His goals apart, one moment towards the end of the end of the first half summed up his efforts. Port Vale were attempting to build from deep but Gregory refused to stop chasing and when he forced Richard Duffy into a hurried pass Millwall could break again.

Gregory’s first goal was delightful, a delicate header to the back post from Jed Wallace’s deep cross.

He finished his penalty expertly, after it was he who had won it with a neat turn in the box that deceived Richard Duffy . The build-up that led to it was swift, the ball transferring quickly from Byron Webster to Jimmy Abdou and then to Morison who guided it to his strike partner.

In front of him, Abdou was back to his influential, energetic best, always alert to danger when Port Vale broke and even getting forward for a couple of attempts on goal.

To their credit, Millwall showed few signs they were content to be two up. And it was three when a desperate Port Vale defence couldn’t clear, the ball eventually falling to Morison who tucked home his 10th of the season from eight yards.

All round, most of the 7,773 in attendance will have gone away happy after a vastly improved performance.

HOME ROT STOPPED When Millwall defeated Bury 1-0 at The Den at the end of November they moved to within two points of Peterborough in sixth, but with a game in hand.

Depending on your outlook it can be viewed that Millwall have blown a number of chances since then to finally position themselves in the play-off places, or that they can count themselves fortunate to still be within touching distance.

They were clearly riled by what happened against Oxford and set about Port Vale determined to atone for it.

After a hugely dominant first half the disappointment was that they let Port Vale pull a goal back so easily, Michael O’Connor’s free-kick floating over the defence with Hooper prodding in a volley at the back post. It seemed Archer and his defence were waiting for a call from the other that never came.

©MillwallFC

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CLASSIC NEWSATDEN

MATCH REPORTS THREE YEARS AGO 25TH JANUARY 2013

MILLWALL SHITTU 27’ MARQUIS 89’

FORDE SHITTU BEEVERS SMITH OSBORNE TROTTER HENRY FEENEY ABDOU MARQUIS KEOGH

J

2-1 1 4 6 27 30 34 10 15 16 9 26

1 3 16 25 27 6 14 15 26 9 20

OHN Marquis sent Millwall into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a dramatic winner to settle a full-blooded tie with Aston Villa at The Den.

ASTON VILLA B EN T 2 2 ’

GIVEN VLAAR CLARK BENNETT LICHAJ LOWTON N'ZOGBIA WESTWOOD DELPH BENT WEIMANN

itors in front midway through the firsthalf but captain Danny Shittu equalised for the Lions just five minutes later from a corner.

Villa carved out the first chance of the game within 60 seconds of the kick-off when midfielder Charles N’Zogbia cut inside from the right flank and sliced a shot wide from the edge of the area.

Marquis headed home in the 89th minute to pile the pressure on Villa boss Paul Lambert, whose ears were ringing with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at full-time.

In the 11th minute, Andy Keogh registered Millwall’s first attempt on goal when he

England striker Darren Bent put the vis58

©The Independent

shot tamely at Shay Given after playing a quick one-two with Liam Trotter.

utes of the half as Kenny Jackett’s side entered the break in the ascendancy.

James Henry then hit a half-volley over the bar before David Forde was called into action for the first time of the evening at the other end when he claimed Weinmann’s looping header.

They begun the second period as they had finished the first and had a chance to make it 2-1 when Mark Beevers’ cross was deflected into the path of Feeney on the edge of the area, but he sliced his volley wide.

But Villa took the lead in the 22nd minute when Forde parried Andreas Weimann’s shot into the path of Bent who, despite scuffing his effort, managed to generate enough momentum on the ball to force it over the line.

In the 64th minute, Henry tried to lob Given after bundling his way past Ciaran Clark but his effort was slightly underhit and dropped into grateful arms of the Republic of Ireland keeper.

Liam Feeney had been caught in possession in the build up to Villa’s goal but nearly made amends with a half-volley that was held by Given, before the winger’s corner was headed over by Shittu.

Villa slowly worked their way back into the game and began to keep the ball for long spells, but they struggled to carve out chances and Shittu’s block from N’Zogbia typified the Lions’ resilience.

But Shittu made no mistake in the 27th minute when he out-jumped Eric Lichaj and powered home James Henry’s corner to draw the Lions level.

Substitute Barry Bannan decided to take matters into his own hands when he took aim from distance, but Forde was able to beat away the midfielder’s dipping drive in the 78th minute.

Millwall nearly went in front moments later from another Henry cross, but Marquis’s header drifted harmlessly wide of Given’s left-hand post.

And Millwall stunned the Premier League strugglers at the death when Marquis headed Adam Smith’s cross off the bar but tucked home the rebound to send The Den ballistic.

Adam Smith and Henry both tried their luck from distance in the final ten min59

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

1 B ur t o n A l bi on 2 5 1 7 3 5 34 1 9 1 5 54

2 Wa ls a l l 2 6 1 5 7 4 44 2 5 1 9 52 3 Gilling h a m

2 7 1 5 6 6 53 34 1 9 51

4 C o v en t r y C i t y

2 7 1 3 9 5 47 2 7 2 0 48

5 W iga n A t h l e t i c 2 7 13 9 5 4 4 28 1 6 48 6 P e t e r borou g h U n i t e d 2 6 1 2 5 9 52 38 1 4 41 7 Sh e f fi e l d U n i t e d 2 6 1 1 7 8 4 4 38 6 40

8 Millw a l l 2 6 12 4 10 41 36 5 40 9 So ut he n d U n i t e d 2 6 1 0 8 8 33 34 -1 38 10 B r ad for d C i t y

24 1 0 7 7 2 5 2 6 -1 37

1 1 P o r t Va l e 2 6 10 6 10 30 30 0 36 1 2 Do n c a s t e r R ove r s

2 6 9 8 9 33 35 -2 35

13 Ro c h da l e 2 5 9 7 9 34 30 4 34 14 Sw in don Tow n

2 6 1 0 4 1 2 4 1 4 4 -3 34

15 B ur y 2 5 9 6 10 35 40 -5 33 16

Sc unt h or p e U n i t e d

2 6

9

5

12

28

36

-8

32

17 B a r n s l e y 2 5 9 3 1 3 37 41 -4 30

18 C h e s t e r fi e l d 2 7 9 3 1 5 37 4 6 -9 30

19 B la ck p ool 2 6 8 4 14 2 6 34 -8 28 20

F le e t w ood Tow n

2 5

7

6

12

33

35

-2

27

2 1 Sh re w s bu r y Tow n

2 6 7 5 1 4 31 4 5 -1 4 26

22 C o lche s t e r U n i t e d

2 7 5 7 1 5 36 62 -2 6 22

23

2 5

O ld h a m A t h l e t i c

3

12

10

2 6

39

-1 3 21

24 C re w e A l exa n dr a 2 5 5 5 1 5 2 6 48 -2 2 20 60

FIXTURES CHESTERFIELD PROACT STAD I UM S ATU RDAY 23 R D JA N UA RY

CREW E ALEXANDRA T HE DEN S ATU RDAY 3 0 T H JA N UA RY

OXFORD UNITED T HE K AS SAM STAD I UM TUESDAY 2N D FE BR UA RY

W ALSALL B E SCOT STA D I UM S ATU RDAY 6TH FE B R UA RY

ROCHDALE SPOTL AND STA D I UM S ATU RDAY 1 3T H FE BR UA RY 61

PLAYER STATS LEAGUE ONE

Ap p

Sta r ts

Assi sts

Go als

D. F or de 8 7 0 0 J. Ar c h e r 1 9 1 9 0 0 S. Cu mmi n g s 1 4 1 3 1 1 T. Cr a i g 1 6 1 6 0 1 S. Ne l s on 6 6 0 0 M. B e e ve r s 2 5 2 5 1 4 B. We bs t e r 2 0 1 5 0 3 S. Fe r g u s on 24 1 4 6 2 M. R ome o 0 0 0 0 J. Wa l l a c e 2 2 1 0 C . Edw a r ds 1 3 1 3 1 0 J. M a r t i n 1 3 1 3 0 2 S. Wi l l i a ms 2 3 2 3 2 2 E . U p s on 1 8 1 2 1 0 L . M a r t i n 8 2 1 0 J. P o w e l l 1 1 0 0 B. T homp s on 1 2 4 1 0 N. A bdou 1 3 1 2 0 1 J. P hi l p ot 0 0 0 0 K . Tw a r de k 0 0 0 0 G. S a vi l l e 1 2 1 2 0 0 P. Cow a n H a l l 3 0 0 0 L . G re g or y 2 3 1 7 1 7 F. O ny e di n ma 2 6 1 6 1 4 J. M a r q u i s 6 0 0 0 S. M or i s on 2 6 24 3 6 A. O ’ B r i e n 24 2 0 4 6 A. P a ve y 4 0 0 0 62

UNDER 21S AUGUST Nottingham Forest (A) 3-1 (Pavey)

ACADEMY ROUND-UP

Crewe Alexandra (H) 1-0 (Philpot)

LAST GAME

Charlton Athletic (A) 0-1 (Abandoned) (Romeo) Ipswich Town (H) 3-0 (Philpot, Pavey, Okenabirhie)

CHARLTON 1-1 MILLWALL

SEPTEMBER

MFC GOALSCORERS:

Leeds United H 3-1 (Pavey 2, Wood)

MARQUIS

Bolton Wanderers (A) 0-2 Coventry City (H) 4-1 (Wood, Pavey 3) Hull City (A) 0-0

MILLWALL LINE UP:

OCTOBER

King

Plymouth Argyle (H) 1-0 (Wood) Huddersfield Town (H) 0-2

Romeo

QPR (A) 0-4 (Eze 3, Ndjoli)

Chesmain

Colchester United (H) 1-0 (Wood)

Thompson

NOVEMBER

Nelson

Palace (H) 5-1 (Martin 2, Upson, Thompson, Powell)

Mbulu

Swansea (A) 1-2 (Ndjoli 2)

Onyedinma Farrell

DECEMBER Brentford (H) 1-0 (Martin)

Marquis

Watford (A) 0-1 (Ndjoli)

Philpot

Wolves (A) 1-3 (Onyedinma, Romeo, Cowan-Hall)

Twardek

JANUARY Subs:

Cardiff City (H) 1-1 (Twardek) Charlton (A) 1-1 (Marquis)

Girling Wood

TOP SCORERS: Alfie Pavey - 7 Keaton Wood / Mikael Ndjoli - 4 Lee Martin / Ebere Eze - 3

Par Eze 63

Ndjoli.

LAST SEVEN GAMES DAT E

19 - D e c -15

2 6-Dec-1 5

2 8 -Dec-15

CO MP E T IT IO N

L e a g u e On e

Lea g u e One

Lea g u e O ne

OPPO N E N T

Gillingham (H)

Wa l sa l l ( H )

Sou thend (A )

RESU LT

0-3 L

0-1 L

0-4 W

G O AL K E E P E R

Archer

Ford e

Ford e

DEFEN DE R S

E dw a r ds

Ed w a r d s

Cu mmings

We bs t e r

Nel son

Web ster

Be e ve r s ( 8 2)

B eever s

B eevers

J M a r t i n ( 4 6)

J M a r ti n ( 76)

J M a r ti n

O’ Br i e n

Onyed i nma ( 67)

Onyedinm a (87 )

S a vi l l e

Ab d ou

Sa vi l l e

W i l l i a ms

Wi l l i a ms

Wi l l i a m s

U p s on ( 2 7 )

Ferg u son

Up son

M or i s on

M ori son

M ori so n (89)

G re g or y

O’ B r i en

O’ B r i en (81)

S UB

For de ( 2 7 )

Ki ng

Archer

S UB

N e l s on

Cu mmi ng s

Nel son

S UB

Fe r g u s on ( 4 6)

Web ster

Ferg u so n (87 )

S UB

T h omp s on

Up son ( 67)

Ab d ou

S UB

A bdou

Sa vi l l e

Thomps o n (81)

S UB

L Martin

Thomp son

Phi l pot

S UB

Ony e di n ma ( 8 2 )

Pa vey ( 76)

Pa vey (89)

M IDFIE L DE R S

AT TAC K E R S

64

2 -Jan-1 6

9 -Ja n -16

1 4 -J a n-1 6

1 7-J a n-1 6

L e ague O n e

L e a g u e On e

J PT

Lea g u e One

Barnsl e y (A)

Ol dh a m ( A )

Ox ford Utd ( H )

Por t Va l e (H)

2 -1 L

1- 2 W

0-2 L

3-1 W

F ord e

For de

Ford e

Ar cher

E d ward s (68)

C u mmi n g s

Cu mmi ng s

Cu mmi ngs

Webste r

We bs t e r

Web ster

Web ster

Be evers

Be e ve r s

B eever s

B eevers

J Mar ti n

J Martin

J M a r ti n ( 64 )

Fer g u son

Onyedin m a ( 46)

Wa l l a c e ( 6 5 )

Wa l l a ce

Wa l l a ce (63)

S a vi lle

A bdou

Ab d ou

Ab d ou

W illiams

W i l l i a ms

Wi l l i a ms ( 78 )

Wi l l i a ms

U pson (46)

Fe r g u s on

Ferg u son

O’ B ri en (88)

Mo ri so n

M or i s on ( 8 7 )

M ori son

M or i son

O’ Brie n

G re g or y ( 7 7 )

G reg or y ( 8 5)

G reg or y (88)

A r ch e r

Archer

Archer

For d e

N el so n

N e l s on

Nel son

Nel son

Ferguson ( 46)

U p s on

Up son ( 78 )

J M a r ti n

A bd o u (68)

T h omp s on

Onyed i nma ( 8 5)

Thompson

T homp s o n

Ony e di n ma ( 7 7)

O’ B r i en ( 64 )

Upson ( 63)

P h ilpo t

O’ Br i e n ( 6 5 )

Onyed i nm a (87 )

G re go r y ( 46)

Marquis (87)

M a r q u i s (88)

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