NewsAtDen Magazine Issue 27

ISSUE

27 LAST ISSUE - FEATURES MOVING TO THE WEBSITE

JAMIE PHILPOT

CAN'T WAIT FOR FIRST SENIOR MILLWALL GOAL AT HOME 1

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CONTENTS NEWS

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PREVIEW

PHILPOT: I CAN’T WAIT FOR FIRST SENIOR MILLWALL GOAL AT HOME

SWINDON TOWN

OPINION

FEATURE

THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

MILLWALL A TO Z

NEWS

PLAYER PROFILE

WALLACE WANTS MORE GOALS BEFORE MILLWALL STAY ENDS

PAUL ROBINSON

NEWS

MATCH REPORT

MILLWALL BOSS PLEASED FOR WALLACE AND PRAISES “WARRIOR” THOMPSON

MILLWALL 3 BLACKPOOL 0 3

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PHILPOT: I CAN'T WAIT FOR FIRST SENIOR MILLWALL GOAL AT HOME

By John Kelly

AMIE PHILPOT didn’t have much time to reflect on his first senior appearance at The Den last Saturday – he was back in action in the wind and rain at Jersey Road training ground on Monday afternoon.

“The most important thing was the three points to push us closer to top spot in our league,” Philpot said. “I should have got a hat-trick, but I’m happy with two goals.

His senior manager Neil Harris was also there to see Philpot score twice to fire Justin Skinner’s U21s to a 3-0 win over Brentford.

Less than 48 hours earlier, Philpot was coming on for Steve Morison in front almost 10,000 people at The Den. His parents, Jeremy and Monica, were present to watch their son make his first senior competitive appearance at home, and Philpot revealed it wasn’t all pats on the back from his father.

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“We’ve a good chance of winning it.”

Midfielder Kris Twardek scored a third to seal the win.

Skinner’s Elite Development Squad are second in Professional Development League 2, eight points behind Charlton but with a game in hand.

“They were delighted that I came on,” Philpot said. “But

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my dad was winding me up telling me I should have scored. But they’re happy for me, happy where I am at the moment and ecstatic like I am for the opportunities that I’m getting.”

Philpot scored on his debut at Wolves last season and, though he couldn’t repeat it on his home bow, he was thrilled to be involved.

“From the time Moro scored the penalty I turned around straight away and thought, ‘Bring me on’,” he said.

“I got out of my kit really quickly and just wanted to make an impact.

“After I came on there were opportunities for me to score, I got into the right positions. There was a corner from Jed Wallace, another really good delivery, and I connected with it alright and hit it goalwards but the keeper saved it.

“It wasn’t meant to be. Not on my home debut anyway.

“But I’m looking forward to the next few games now to see if I can come on and make another impact.

“It’s completely different to the U21s. I was more excited than nervous, especially playing in front of the home fans.

I wanted to show them what I can do and the next step is to score in front of them.

©Millwall FC

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“BUT MY DAD WAS WINDING ME UP TELLING ME I SHOULD HAVE SCORED. BUT THEY’RE HAPPY FOR ME, HAPPY WHERE I AM AT THE MOMENT AND ECSTATIC LIKE I AM FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I’M GETTING.” 7

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PREVIEW

By John Kelly

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ILLWALL hope Carlos Edwards can train on Friday and prove he is fit to continue at left-back in the place of the suspended Joe Martin for this Saturday’s clash with Swindon.

“We want to aim as high as we can. We know it’s going to be difficult with a lot of hard games coming up this month.”

Swindon, meanwhile, have won their last four fixtures and are just seven points off the playoffs having been as low as 22nd in the table in November.

Edwards went off in the second half of the 3-0 win over Blackpool last weekend with a dead leg and wasn’t able to train earlier this week.

Robins chairman Lee Power gave Luke Williams a five-year contract as head coach this week after he guided Swindon to six wins from 10 games this year in a caretaker role.

If he is unavailable Shane Ferguson could drop to left-back with Neil Harris to decide between Shaun Williams, Ed Upson, Aiden O’Brien and Fred Onyedinma as Edwards’ replacement.

They defeated Doncaster 2-0 in their last game 10 days ago.

Jed Wallace will play his 14th game for the club, with just five more of his scheduled loan remaining after that. Ferguson might be in a defensive role at the County Ground but has enjoyed linking up with Wallace recently.

Swindon have put any relegation worries firmly behind them and midfielder Louis Thompson, on loan from Norwich, warned the Lions his side are potentially as good as any in League One.

“Jed’s a great player and working well with Mahlon (Romeo) on the other side,” Ferguson said. “He comes across and helps out and we know each other pretty well training and playing together. He’s been fantastic since he came.”

“I think the belief is back in the team,” he told Swindon’s official website. “Millwall come here off the back of good results as well. They’ve got their own hopes and aspirations and so have we.

Ferguson has become a valuable player in the Millwall set-up with his versatility and ability with dead balls. After playing just four times last season he has already featured 40 times this campaign.

“I think if we can impose ourselves on the game like we did against Doncaster I don’t believe there will be many people in this league that can live with us and I’m hoping we can do that on Saturday – that’s what we’re training towards. It should be a good game. I’m looking forward to it.”

The Northern Ireland international admitted this season was about building up his sharpness first before any thoughts of higher goals.

“Fitness was a big thing for me, trying to get back to where I was,” he said. “Thankfully now I’m certainly getting there and not getting as tired as much in games.

Form guide (Last five league): Swindon: DWWWW Millwall: LWDDW Sky Bet odds: Swindon 21/10 Draw 23/10 Millwall 6/5

“Before training we do injury prevention stuff to make sure you’re ready to go out and train.

“It’s about playing regularly and enjoying it. It’s going really well and hopefully we can keep this great form up.

Probable Millwall team: 4-4-2: Archer; Romeo, Webster, Beevers, Ferguson; Wallace, Abdou, Thompson, Upson; Morison, Gregory.

“We know how good we’re playing and we’re looking up.

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THE ONE BEFORE IT GETS REALLY INTENSE Millwall should have beaten Wigan but a point was valuable as it prevented the gap to the top two from lengthening.

They couldn’t afford to slip up against Blackpool and didn’t and that suggests they have the psychological resources to deal with the building pressure.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

By John Kelly

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Sure, Blackpool were hapless, but Millwall produced one of those performances infused with authority. That was illustrated by Steve Morison converting a penalty – he’d missed the only other one he’d taken this season, against Barnet in the League Cup last August.

Swindon feels like another one of those games they have to win before three season-defining fixtures against Sheffield United, Bradford and Burton.

Whether Carlos Edwards is available or not could make a crucial difference.

If he isn’t risked then there will be two positional changes, with Shane Ferguson at left-back and, most likely, Ed Upson on the left of midfield.

Upson would be an able replacement but he doesn’t have the same ability to dribble and cross like Ferguson. It would change the dynamic of the side that looks close to a perfect formula: Ferguson and Jed Wallace on the flanks supplying rich service to Steve Morison and Lee Gregory.

A win would set them up perfectly for that triple test. But it won’t be easy…

SWINDON MUCH IMPROVED

what’s possible in this division, Swindon are not out of play-off contention.

If you were to describe the ideal behaviour from a chairman to give stability to a club then Lee Power would probably be at the other end of the spectrum.

That illustrates both a hope and a danger for Millwall: They have shown they have the quality to realistically to go on a winning sequence and gain automatic promotion; but equally, if the dip, there are sides capable of putting ominous runs of form together and edging them out of the top six.

Here is the 2015-16 highlights reel (so far): Ban the local media before the start of the campaign; sign 22 players and get rid of 20 (Some of whom are some of the 22 you signed); Sack the manager 11 games into the season (After the 2-0 defeat to Millwall in October); Appoint yourself as manager; Hire Martin Ling and see an upturn in form before the same manager stands down 56 days later; and, this week, give a relative novice a five-year deal as head boss.

Despite all the upheaval and instability, and now under the talented but inexperienced Luke Williams, Swindon are one of League One’s most dangerous sides.

Power says Williams is the best coach he’s seen in 25 years and maybe he’s genuine.

Whether he is that brilliant or not Swindon will be far more of a threat than they were in October.

And after all that Swindon have somehow dragged themselves from 22nd in the table near the end of November to their current position of 13th, seven points of the play-off places. Given that what Barnsley have done since Christmas (Rising from the relegation zone to the top six) shows

Millwall seemed to be caught off guard at Peterborough and Fleetwood this season.

They can’t let that happen again.

AJOSE THREAT

over a slightly longer spell: He has scored 18 goals in 21 games, form that make him one of the division’s most fearsome strikers.

Nicky Ajose’s undulating career trajectory is almost the perfect representation of the chaos of Swindon’s season.

Of course, every hot streak has to come to an end and, with a defence that has kept six clean sheets in eight games, Millwall should have the defensive nous to at least know how to deal with him. Doing it is another matter.

He is just 24, has already played for 10 clubs with his career seemingly going nowhere when he joined Leeds but barely played. And now his own graph is going the same way as Swindon’s is currently – very definitely upwards.

And as Neil Harris said this week, the role of the central midfielders is key to that defensive solidity. Jimmy Abdou and Ben Thompson have provided clever and combative cover in the last two games against Wigan and Blackpool.

He joined Swindon for the second time in his career last summer after a previous loan spell and had a relatively slow start, scoring two goals in nine games. But since that 2-0 loss at The Den he has been simply superb and close to unstoppable.

Lee Gregory’s record of 11 goals in 13 games is prolific but Ajose has done it

The communication between those two players and their back four will be crucial at the County Ground.

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Millwall have won nine of their 17 away league games this season.

Swindon have won eight of their 17 at the County Ground.

Stat's that...

BY JOHN KELLY

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73K

Millwall and Swindon have met 95 times in their history. Millwall have won 38 to Swindon’s 31 with 26 draws.

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The first meeting was in the old Division Three (South) on November 6, 1920 with Millwall running out 5-0 winners.

Including this season’s 2-0 win at The Den, Millwall are undefeated in six games against the Robins.

Swindon haven’t kept a league clean sheet against the Lions in 12 games stretching back to a 3-0 win in Division 1 on February 13, 1993.

The last goalless draw in the league between the sides was 19 games ago, in Division 2 on September 30, 1990.

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The most frequent scoreline in fixtures between the sides is 1-0. That has occurred on 21 occasions.

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After 35 games of the 200910 League One season Millwall were in the same place in the table, fifth, but had 62 points compared to the 58 they have now. They jumped to fourth place after their 36th game, a 4-0 win over Charlton.

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There were 73,108 people in attendance when Millwall met Swindon in the League One play-off final in 2010.

Millwall have won nine of their 17 away league games this season. Swindon have won eight of their 17 at the County Ground.

Three players have represented Swindon at World Cups: Alan McLoughlin in 1990 (Rep of Ireland); Jan Age Fjortoft in 1994 (Norway); and Massimo Luongo in 2014 (Australia).

The £4million Swindon got from QPR for Luongo last summer is their record transfer fee received. Their record transfer fee paid is the £800,000 they gave West Ham for Joey Beauchamp in August, 1994.

Millwall have 57,600 followers on Twitter to Swindon’s 42,900.

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IS FOR OLD TRAFFORD

By Mark Litchfield

LD Trafford is the home of Manchester United Football Club - one of the most successful sides in English football history; the Theatre of Dreams, the Red Devils’ lair.

It was sure to be a tense and nervy afternoon.

However, on April 4th, 2004, it belonged to Millwall.

The opening exchanges were predictably edgy, with chances for both teams going begging. In the 26th minute, history was made.

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The teams took to the field to a cacophony of noise and shortly after, referee Paul Durkin blew on his whistle to signal the start of the game.

Having defeated Walsall, Telford United, Burnley and Tranmere Rovers, the Lions found themselves in their first FA Cup Semi Final since 1937, where they would meet fellow Division One side, Sunderland.

Paul Ifill’s jinking run down the right hand side and subsequent shot drew a save from the Mackems’ Estonian goalkeeper, Mart Poom, but the ball fell to the Lions’ star man, Tim Cahill.

With a swing of his boot, the Aussie sent the ball towards goal, with it nestling in the net a second later.

Millwall were ahead and on their way to the show-piece occasion in May – inevitably, the blue end of Old Trafford went bonkers.

Dennis Wise’s men would have to overcome an ex-Millwall boss – Mick McCarthy – to reach their first ever FA Cup Final, plus a side loaded with experience, such as former Liverpool midfielder, Jason McAteer.

The Lions, however, boasted experience of their own, in Kevin Muscat, Danny Dichio and Wise himself.

The rest of the game seemed to take an age; seconds seemed like min17

utes, minutes seemed like hours, but eventually, via a McAteer red card, injuries to Ifill and Wise, an agonising miss from Sunderland’s George McCartney and four excruciating minutes of stoppage time, Durkin blew his whistle for the final time – Millwall had done it. Cahill’s goal had sent the club into their first ever FA Cup Final, where they would meet Manchester United.

young and old embraced; some were deliriously happy, some were in tears of joy – some simply could not believe it. Not only would they be seeing their club in the greatest game on earth, but as a result of qualification, Millwall would participate in the following seasons UEFA Cup competition.

There have been many, many truly great days in the history of Millwall Football Club, but for sheer joy and ecstasy, has there been any better than 04/04/04?

As Let ‘Em Come blasted around the Theatre of Dreams, Lions fans

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IS FOR PROMOTION

By Mark Litchfield

S times.

the championship – as many as four teams were still in with a shout as the final games of the season took place.

INCE their inception in 1885, Millwall Football Club have won promotion ten

World War 2 and the restructuring of the Football League meant that Millwall had to wait over two decades for another promotion, but in 1961/62, under Ron Gray, it arrived. A 2-2 draw at Barrow saw the Lions pip Colchester to the Division 4 title in a season that saw a young Harry Cripps make his debut.

The first of those came in the 1927/28 season, as under Bob Hunter, the Lions romped to the Division 3 South title, topping the table with 65 points, 127 goals and an unbeaten home record. Thirty-three of those goals came from Jack Landells – a Gateshead born striker who spent nine years at The Den before moving on to West Ham United in 1933.

Only two seasons were spent back in Division 3, as the Lions suffered relegation back to the fourth tier – a move that cost Gray his job - but they were to bounce straight back in 1964/65, as new manager Billy Gray steered the club to second place, missing out on the title – won by Brighton and Hove Al-

Exactly a decade later, the Lions were winning Division 3 South once more, this time under the stewardship of Charles Hewitt.

It wasn’t so straightforward this time round; a 5-1 win at Exeter City on the final day captured 20

bion – by a single point.

Perhaps the most famous promotion in the clubs history came in 1987/88, as John Docherty masterminded the Lions surge to the top for the first time in their history, as they won the Division Two title.

With the likes of Alex Stepney, Harry Cripps and Barry Rowan now regular fixtures in the side, the Lions were going places - the Second Division, in fact, as a year later, they secured back to back promotions, as Gray’s side went unbeaten at home (as part of the infamous 59game unbeaten run), finishing second in Division 3. Len Julians scored 22 times to help Millwall on their way to Second Division football – just one league below the big time.

A Kevin O’Callaghan penalty in a 1-0 win at Hull City proved to be Millwall’s crowning moment, as the Lions got their just desserts from a season that saw the deadly partnership of Teddy Sheringham and Tony Cascarino produce 47 goals.

The introduction of the Premier League saw the leagues restructured once more in the early 1990’s, as the Lions went from Division 2 to Division 1 without being promoted, but in 2000/01, after a relegation in 1995/96, Mark McGhee’s men earned the right to play in the second tier, as they romped to the Division 2 title, finishing the season with a club record 93 points, as well as a 28-goal striker in Neil Harris.

Nine years were spent in the second tier before relegation was suffered once more in 1974/75, but the Lions’ stay in Division 3 was brief, as Gordon Jago led them back to Division 2 at the first attempt the following season, finishing third in a campaign that saw just one home defeat, ironically to the team that would follow them upwards, Cardiff City.

Millwall’s seventh promotion came in 1984/85, as George Graham took the Lions to the Second Division once more, courtesy of a second placed finish – and another unbeaten season at home. Steve Lovell’s 27 goals assisted in a campaign that saw the likes of Keith Stevens, Anton Otulakowski and John Fashanu feature regularly.

The clubs tenth and most recent promotion came in 2009/10, as Kenny Jackett and his side beat Swindon Town in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium, banishing the demons of the previous year and the defeat to Scunthorpe United in the exact same game.

Could the Lions be on for an eleventh promotion this season?

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WALLACE WANTS MORE GOALS BEFORE MILLWALL STAY ENDS

By John Kelly

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ED Wallace is confident of adding more goals to his Millwall tally after finally getting off the mark in the 3-0 win over Blackpool on Saturday.

He was disappointed not to have opened his account during the 0-0 draw with Wigan last Tuesday night when Jussi Jaaskelainen denied him with a superb save to tip his goalbound shot over the bar in the first half before stopping a free-kick from a similar position to the one he scored from against the Tangerines.

Wallace scored a 25yard free-kick to add to Lee Gregory’s opener, before Steve Morison’s penalty crowned a comfortable win for Neil Harris’ side.

It was Wallace’s first goal for the Lions in his 13th game since his loan switch from Wolves in January.

But Wallace said his confidence in front of goal hadn’t dropped despite his lack of goals.

Harris revealed the winger had been frustrated that he hadn’t found the net before Saturday after he scored 17 goals for Portsmouth last season.

“I know I missed chances last Tuesday but I had a lot of good efforts as well. If you don’t believe n yourself then no one else will,” Wallace explained.

Wallace conceded he felt a sense of relief after seeing his strike sent the ball through Blackpool’s wall and into the back of the net at the weekend.

“I know what I’m capable of.

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Jaaskelainen pulled off a couple of good saves against me on Tuesday night. He was unbelievable, like a force field around the goal. Obviously I got a goal (Saturday) and we got three points, so happy days.

it would have to be unbelievable to get it up and over, so I just hit it.

“I struck it clean enough but it seemed to take an age to go in. It went right through them. It’s happy days for me.

“I’m not going to pretend I tried to roll it under the wall because I definitely didn’t. I didn’t hit it as well as the one Tuesday that (Jaaskelainen) saved. It was a big wall so I thought

“I’m delighted, it’s a good weight off my shoulders and I think I’ll probably go on to get a few more, hopefully, in the time that I’m here.”

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MILLWALL WANT TO EXTEND EXCITING YOUNGSTER ROMEO'S CONTRACT

By John Kelly

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ILLWALL are keen to exercise an option in Mahlon Romeo’s contract to secure his future at the club.

The 20-year-old, released by Gillingham last season, was Neil Harris’ first permanent signing as manager.

Romeo penned a one-year contract after impressing Harris and academy boss Scott Fitzgerald during a trial spell last April.

“Mahlon is under contract until this summer and we have an option to extend it,” Harris said.

“Mahlon has come in and done really well so we’re looking to have discussions with his advisers to think about tying him down a little longer.

Romeo was expected to spend a season with the U21s, but after injuries to Carlos Edwards and Shaun Cummings he exploded onto the first-team scene with a superb goal in the 3-0 win at Walsall in February.

“You want to protect your assets and you want to reward players for doing well.

“You want to give parity to players, and that’s all we’re trying to do. We try to be sensible with what we do.

He kept his place when Edwards returned from injury and has now played in seven consecutive games and formed an impressive partnership on the right side of Millwall’s team with Jed Wallace.

That form is attracting admiring glances from potential suitors, and Millwall now want to tie down the defender to a longer deal and head off any interest from some of the bigger clubs.

“If players do well they should be rewarded.

“I think we’ve shown with all the other young lads that if they break into the first team and do well they get rewarded.

“Until they do that, then they’re U21 players and they have to earn the right to get into the first team.

But Mahlon has done really well, as did Fred, Aiden, Ben and Sid earlier in the season when they all got awarded new contracts.

Fred Onyedinma, Aiden O’Brien, Ben Thompson and Sid Nelson have all signed new deals this season, and boss Harris explained the club policy behind contract offers to younger players.

“Mahlon comes into that category at the moment.”

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ŠMillwall FC

P LAYER PROF I L E :

PA UL ROBINSON

By Mark Litchfield

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LAYERS like Paul Robinson are a rare breed in today’s game.

Third Round tie against Cambridge United meant that the defender would be called into action. Sixteen games and one goal later – a strike in the replay v Cambridge – Nethercott would return, but during that period, Robbo had gained valuable first team experience alongside the calm and collected Darren Ward, introducing himself to the Den faithful in the process.

In a world of agents, players refusing to play for their clubs and money-driven transfers, there are a few players that still simply turn up on a Saturday and give their all – Paul Robinson is one of those.

‘Robbo’ now plies his trade at AFC Wimbledon, but over 12 seasons and 361 appearances, the central defender cemented his place in the category that Lions fans like to call ‘real ‘Wall’.

The following season – 2003/04 – saw Robinson feature once again under Mark McGhee, but with the Scot being sacked after an infamous 1-0 home defeat to Preston in October and the defender picking up an injury in new manager Dennis Wise’s fourth game in charge – a 3-1 defeat to Norwich City – Paul’s season was brought to abrupt end.

On November 9th, 2002, Robinson made his Den debut against Preston North End as a baby-faced youngster. On May 3rd, 2014, the former captain played his last game in a Millwall shirt as a 34th minute substitute for Mark Beevers in a 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth – and what a career he had in between.

A loan spell at Torquay United kept the centre-half playing regular football and at the end of the 2004/05 campaign, Robinson was called into action once more at The Den, playing in the more unfamiliar position

In his first season, Robinson received somewhat of a fortunate break, as an injury to Stuart Nethercott early on in the clubs FA Cup

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of right-back, due to Kevin Muscat’s injury and his deputy, Mark Phillips, serving a suspension. Robinson made seven appearances as the club finished 10th in the Championship.

play-off final, but unfortunately for the captain, he would miss a large chunk of the season.

After seeing red on the opening day at Oldham, the defender swiftly returned for the visit of Southend United after sitting out the League Cup game against Northampton Town. Robinson’s goal in a 2-1 win at Colchester in October sent the Lions to the top of the table – everything seemed to be going swimmingly.

The 2005/06 season saw a troublesome time for the club, as managers, chairman and players came and went with ease, but Robbo cemented his place in the first team during this time, making 35 appearances in a year that unfortunately ended in relegation for the Lions. A goal at Mansfield Town in the Worthington Cup proved to be the defenders only one of the season, with the first two red cards of his professional career coming against Leicester City on Boxing Day, plus against Hull City in the February.

However, in a 2-1 defeat at home to Scunthorpe on January 31st, Robbo picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Zak Whitbread at half time.

The centre-half would not feature again until the play-off semi-final second leg at Elland Road, as Jimmy Abdou’s goal sent Millwall to Wembley – he would only come on as a 86th minute substitute – and as a makeshift striker in the final moments of the final against Scunthorpe United.

As Millwall began to adapt to life back in League One, Robinson adapted to life as the clubs first-choice centre-half; 44 appearances in the 2006/07 campaign was testament to that position.

At the 73rd attempt, Boxing Day 2006 saw Robbo score his first Lions goal in the league in a 4-1 win at Brentford – a game that saw Poul Hubertz net twice.

Injury problems continued to plague the skipper and an attempt to make a comeback in a JPT tie at Barnet in September 2009 was cut short after 37 minutes. However, Robinson was to return to the starting line-up in a 4-0 win over Stockport County in mid-October – he even bagged a goal, too.

From there, the defender did not look back and played every minute of every game remaining that season, scoring six more goals, with the most important coming in the play-off final against Swindon Town at Wembley Stadium.

Goals in home games against Swansea City (2-0) and Bristol City (1-0) later that season ensured that Robbo would finish with three league goals to his name – a feat he repeated in 2007/08, as the Lions finished 17th in the league under Kenny Jackett, after Willie Donachie’s sacking earlier that year.

Robinson missed just one league game that season – a match at Port Vale – through suspension; the following campaign, the Lions were to hit the heady heights of the League One

With 39 minutes on the clock, Danny Schofield’s corner was flicked on in-

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side the box, with the ball finding its way to Robinson around six yards out.

With the ball quickly under control, the defender fired the ball past the Robins’ ‘keeper, giving the Lions the lead and sending the blue half of Wembley into raptures.

Kenny Jackett’s resignation at the end of that campaign allowed Steve Lomas to enter the fray as Lions manager and with Robinson back to full fitness, the club looked to have a more comfortable season than the last. However, the defender only lasted until Boxing Day – as did Lomas – as injuries struck again; he would only make five more starts that season.

The final whistle blew on the day with the score-line the same; Robinson’s goal had sent the Lions back up to the Championship – the perfect slice of redemption for missing out the year before.

As the club produced a final day miracle once more, courtesy of a 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth, Robinson made his final appearance in a Millwall shirt. That summer, the defender and Lions stalwart was to move south to Portsmouth, initially on loan, but the deal became permanent in January 2015.

Robinson and Millwall both adapted to Championship life well, as they finished 9th in their first season back, with the following season seeing the centre-half register 41 appearances in the league, with a solitary goal coming against Southampton in a cruel 3-2 defeat.

After just one season, Robbo departed Fratton Park by mutual consent, joining AFC Wimbledon shortly after.

The 2012/13 season proved to be a bad one for Robinson, as he made just three appearances in a season that saw the Lions narrowly escape relegation to League One – he did not complete 90 minutes in those three games, either.

Captain, play-off winner, ‘real ‘Wall’ and one of the ‘guv’nors’ (I’ll let Michael Calvin tell you more, if you don’t know) – Paul Robinson didn’t have a bad Millwall career, did he?

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HARRIS: PHILPOT CAN HAVE GREAT CAREER HOPEFULLY AT MILLWALL

By John Kelly

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EIL Harris said his decision to hand Jamie Philpot his first ever senior competitive appearance at The Den last Saturday was a “reward” for the striker.

“He comes on because he deserves it. He’s well worth his place in the squad at the moment.”

Philpot made his debut at Wolves on the last day of last season, but injury slowed his progress before he climbed off the bench in place of Steve Morison against Blackpool.

Meanwhile, Harris also paid tribute to Carlos Edwards, who played out of position on the left side of defence in the 3-0 win before going off injured in the 65th minute.

Philpot was back playing for the U21s on Monday, when he scored two goals against Brentford, and Harris said that form is one of the reasons for his senior involvement.

Harris said: “He did really well, Carlos. He’s an experienced player. He was out of the team for a while and he was desperate to get back in.

“It’s only five minutes plus VAT at the end, but it’s nice for him to get back on the pitch, nice for the fans to see him,” Harris said.

“He’s had to be patient and watch Mahlon do really well. When I spoke to him on Thursday and said ‘I’m thinking about playing you left-back’, he said ‘Gaffer, pick me, I want to play’.

“He’s a good player and he’s going to have a long goalscoring career, hopefully at this football club. It was just a little bit of reward, just to say ‘well done’. He’s on the bench on merit, he deserves to be there for his performances for the U21s and for the player he is.

“At the moment you’ve got camaraderie and spirit, everybody wants to be in the team because when you’re out of the team it’s difficult to get back in.”

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MILLWALL BOSS PLEASED FOR WALLACE AND PRAISES “WARRIOR” THOMPSON

By John Kelly

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EIL Harris said he was “delighted” for Jed Wallace after the winger scored his first goal on his 13th appearance for

and he’s been frustrated with his lack of goalscoring feats since he’s been here.

Wallace fired a free-kick from 25 yards past former Millwall goalkeeper Colin Doyle in the 24th minute at The Den on Saturday afternoon as the Lions defeated Blackpool 3-0.

Millwall made up for the disappointment of Tuesday night, when they failed to punish tenman Wigan, and they were well on their way to victory against the relegation-troubled Tangerines before Hayden White picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Shane Ferguson in the 76th minute.

the club.

“So I’m delighted for him that he got that one today.”

Lee Gregory had scored his 21st goal of the season in the eighth minute and Steve Morison helped seal the three points with a penalty for his 14th of the camppaign six minutes from time.

The win leaves Millwall in fifth place in League One on 58 points, three ahead of Barnsley with Coventry a further three points back in seventh.

“Jed Wallace has done really well, he’s bright, he’s lively, puts good deliveries into the box,” Harris said. “I watched him score some really good goals last year

Harris thought the performance against Wigan was more impres-

41

sive, but he praised his players for the way they took their chances against Neil MacDonald’s struggling side.

problem to come on in his place, and he will be assessed by the medical staff on Sunday.

Harris said: “I think anyone that saw us Tuesday, we were better then. We played well today but we were brilliant on Tuesday. We didn’t have the clinical edge but today we played well, dominated the game, and we were ruthless in finishing the chances we created.

“I’m really pleased. It’s a big win today.”

Harris also highlighted the performances of midfielders Jimmy Abdou and Ben Thompson as Millwall continued their impressive form of just one defeat in 11 games in all competitions and extended their unbeaten league run to four.

“Thompson is everywhere. He’s a battler, he’s a warrior,” Harris said. “He’s a Millwall fan.

“You know what you get with Jimmy Abdou and I thought they were really good against a three-man midfield.

They dominated the midfield, the two of them.

“We’ve got a player of the quality of Shaun Williams on the bench along with Ed Upson waiting and trying to force their way back in. That’s a lovely position for me to be in and it shows the quality of the performances Ben and Jimmy are putting in at the moment.”

The one negative for Harris was an injury to Carlos Edwards, who played out of position at left-back instead of the suspended Joe Martin. Edwards went off in the 65th minute with a dead leg, with Upson returning after a hamstring 42

43

MILLWALL BLACKPOOL

3 0

©MillwallFC

M

ILLWALL scored twice in the first half and once after the break to boost their playoff hopes and deepen Blackpool’s relegation worries.

Brad Potts came close to reducing Millwall’s lead but fired one effort wide before Jordan Archer touched his half-volley over the bar in the 74th minute.

The Lions were always comfortable and goals from Lee Gregory, Jed Wallace and a Steve Morison penalty moved them onto 58 points, six ahead of Coventry in seventh place.

Two minutes later Blackpool were reduced to 10 men when Hayden White received a second yellow card after fouling Shane Ferguson just outside the box.

Millwall took the lead in the eighth minute when Gregory headed in Carlos Edwards’ throw.

And Morison made sure of the points when he sent Doyle the wrong way from the penalty spot after Tom Aldred had handled the ball.

The home side doubled their advantage when Wallace fired a free-kick directly into the bottom corner from 25 yards for his first goal for the club.

MILLWALL OVERWHELM THEIR OPPONENTS AS WALLACE OPENS HIS ACCOUNT As they had against Doncaster, Millwall went ahead inside ten minutes. It was such a straightforward goal and perfectly illustrated the disorganisation in Blackpool’s defence that would be apparent throughout the first half. Edwards took a throw that

Morison was inches away from making it 3-0 in the 70th minute, but after curling a left-footed effort around Colin Doyle from 20 yards watched as the ball bounced back off the post.

44

the away defence allowed to bounce and Gregory scored perhaps the easiest goal of his 21 this season.

head from Mark Cullen in the second half nicely summed up what makes him such a big favourite here.

Soon after that, after Blackpool had worked the ball clear, centre-back Aldred urged White to push up quickly to align the back four. But he got no response. Next, Potts turned to indicate to goalkeeper Doyle that a long clearance straight to Archer was of no use.

MARCH-ING ON? This was the second game of a crucial month that will shape Millwall’s season.

When Millwall went two goals up in the 24th minute, it would only have given Neil MacDonald more worries about how to correct that defensive raggedness.

Moments before, Danny Philliskirk had the chance to shoot outside Millwall’s box but delayed and the home side countered. Edwards, in for the suspended Joe Martin, scampered forward and across Blackpool’s box before he was fouled. It was a good position for Wallace but Doyle would have wondered why his wall split to allow Wallace find the bottom corner.

The Lions just couldn’t afford to slip up on Saturday with a group of clubs clogging up the table behind Wigan and Burton, and a disorderly queue forming outside the top six. It really is a manic scramble.

They didn’t falter and, while automatic promotion still looks a tall order with the leading two showing few signs they are about to suffer slumps, it would take a big loss of form for Millwall to drop out of the top six. That doesn’t look likely at the moment.

At the final whistle the fans warmly applauded the side off the pitch. The presence of Aiden O’Brien and Jamie Philpot up front demonstrated the strength of the rebuilding work this season. That was always the aim, but there is so much to play for now.

There were some signs of attacking life in Blackpool, at least. Mark Beevers had to make a last-ditch block as Uche Ikpeazu was about to shoot in the box, while a better touch from Jim McAlister might have allowed him to test Archer.

Blackpool were marginally better in the second period, but they never looked like getting anything from a rampant Millwall.

ABDOU PROVIDES DEFENSIVE PLATFORM AND ENERGY There have been more eye-catching performers this season, but then Abdou’s game isn’t about that.

There was a five-minute cameo in the second half that illustrated his value to the side: He covered two movements forward by Blackpool midfielder Potts before joining an attack and then sprinting 70 yards back to provide cover in front of his back four. Next he tracked substitute full-back Emmerson Boyce’s run forward to win back possession.

©MillwallFC

Abdou was crucial to Millwall’s game plan against Wigan on Tuesday night, working with Ben Thompson and his strikers to stop the opposition at source.

Here he was always looking to get on the front foot to ensure Blackpool’s under pressure midfield had no break.

Beside him Thompson was at his combative best.

The way he got to his feet after taking a kick to the

©MillwallFC

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

1 B ur t o n A l bi on 33 21 4 8 4 3 2 7 1 6 67 2

W iga n A t h l e t i c

34

1 7

12

5

55

30

2 5

63

3 Wa ls a l l 33 1 6 11 6 4 9 33 1 6 59 4 Gilling h a m

34 1 7 7 1 0 60 4 3 1 7 58

5 Millw a l l 34 1 6 7 11 52 41 11 55 6 C o v e n t r y C i t y 33 1 4 1 0 9 56 37 19 52

7 B a r n s l e y 34 1 6 4 14 54 4 5 9 52 8 So ut he n d U n i t e d

34 1 4 9 1 1 4 6 4 3 3 51

9 B r ad for d C i t y

33 1 4 9 1 0 39 36 3 51

10 P o r t Va l e 35 1 3 10 12 39 39 0 49 1 1 Sw in don Tow n

34 1 4 6 1 4 53 51 2 48

1 2 Sh e f f i e l d U n i t e d

34 1 3 9 1 2 47 4 5 2 48

13 B ur y 34 1 3 8 1 3 4 5 55 -1 0 47 14 Sc unt h or p e U n i t e d

33 1 3 7 1 3 38 4 0 -2 46

15 Ro c h da l e 34 12 9 1 3 44 4 6 -2 45 16 P e t e r borou g h U n i t e d 34 1 3 5 1 6 57 55 2 44 17 F le e t w ood Tow n

33 1 0 9 1 4 4 0 4 1 -1 39

18 C h e s t e r fi e l d

34 1 1 5 1 8 4 5 54 -9 38

19

Do n c a s t e r R ove r s

33

9

10

14

36

4 4 -8

20

Sh re w s bu r y Tow n

33

10

7

1 6

39

51

37

-1 2 37

21 B la ck p ool

34 9 8 1 7 33 4 3 -1 0 35

2 2 O ld ha m A t h l e t i c

33 6 1 6 1 1 33 4 4 -1 1 34

23

34

C re w e A l exa n dr a

6

11

1 7

36

59

-2 3 29

24 C o lche s t e r U n i t e d 34 6 9 1 9 4 2 79 -37 27 46

FIXTURES Swindon Town CO UNTY GROUND S ATU RDAY 1 2 T H M A R C H

SHEFFIELD UNITED T HE DEN S ATU RDAY 1 9 T H M A R C H

BRADFORD CITY VA LL EY PARA D E S ATU RDAY 26 T H M A R C H

BURTON ALBION T HE DEN M O N D AY 2 8TH M A R C H

COLCHESTER UNITED W ESTON HOME S COM M U N IT Y STA D IU M S ATU RDAY 2N D A P R I L 47

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 2 8 2 8 0 0 S. Cu mmi n g s 1 6 1 5 1 1 T. Cr a i g 1 6 1 6 0 1 S. Ne l s on 9 9 0 0 M. B e e ve r s 31 31 2 4 B. We bs t e r 2 9 24 0 3 S. Fe r g u s on 32 2 2 7 2 M. R ome o 7 7 0 1 J. Wa l l a c e 1 1 1 1 4 1 C . Edw a r ds 1 4 1 4 2 0 J. M a r t i n 1 8 1 7 0 2 S. Wi l l i a ms 2 8 2 7 3 2 E . U p s on 2 2 1 5 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 7 8 1 0 N. A bdou 2 2 2 1 0 1 J. P hi l p ot 1 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 31 2 5 2 14 F. O ny e di n ma 2 8 1 6 1 4 J. M a r q u i s 1 0 0 0 0 S. M or i s on 35 33 4 1 1 A. O ’ B r i e n 32 2 3 4 8 A. P a ve y 4 0 0 0 48

UNDER 21S AUGUST Nottingham Forest (A) 3-1 (Pavey) Crewe Alexandra (H) 1-0 (Philpot) Charlton Athletic (A) 0-1 (Abandoned) (Romeo) Ipswich Town (H) 3-0 (Philpot, Pavey, Okenabirhie)

ACADEMY ROUND-UP LAST GAME

SEPTEMBER

BRENTFORd 0-3 MILLWALL

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

MFC GOALSCORERS: PHILPOT (2) & TWARDEK

OCTOBER Plymouth Argyle (H) 1-0 (Wood) Huddersfield Town (H) 0-2 QPR (A) 0-4 (Eze 3, Ndjoli) Colchester United (H) 1-0 (Wood)

MILLWALL: Girling

NOVEMBER

Brown

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

Wood Donovan

DECEMBER

Parr

Brentford (H) 1-0 (Martin) Watford (A) 0-1 (Ndjoli) Wolves (A) 1-3 (Onyedinma, Romeo, Cowan-Hall)

Mbulu

JANUARY

Farrell

Eze

Cardiff City (H) 1-1 (Twardek) Charlton (A) 1-1 (Marquis) Palace (A) 3-3 (Powell, Onyedinma, Twardek)

Philpot Ndjoli Twardek

FEBRUARY Bristol City (A) 0-1 (Garita OG) Hull City (H) 1-3 (Philpot) QPR (H) 2-2 (Twardek, Wood)

Subs: O’Donnell

MARCH

Sandford

Brentford (A) 0-3 (Philpot 2, Twardek)

TOP SCORERS: Alfie Pavey - 7 Keaton Wood - 5 Mikael Ndjoli / Kris Twardek - 4

Skinner White 49

Bray

LAST SEVEN GAMES DAT E

6 - Fe b-16

1 3-Feb -1 6

1 6-Feb -16

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

Wa l s a l l ( A )

Rochd a l e ( A)

Scu ntho rpe (H)

RESU LT

0-3 W

0 -1 W

0 -2 L

G O AL K E E P E R

Archer

Ar cher

Ar cher

DEFEN DE R S

R ome o

Romeo

Romeo

N e l s on

Nel son

Nel son

We bs t e r

Web ster

Web ster

Fe r g u s on

M a r ti n

Fer g u s o n

Wa l l a c e ( 7 5 )

Wa l l a ce

Wa l l a ce

A bdou

Ab d ou

Ab d ou (81)

W i l l i a ms

Wi l l i a ms

Upson (45)

U p s on

Upson

O’ B ri en

M or i s on ( 8 8)

M or i son

M or i son

G re g or y ( 8 8)

G reg or y ( 8 6)

G reg or y

S UB

For de

For d e

For d e

S UB

Wood

Ed w a rd s

B eevers

S UB

Martin (75)

Fer g u son

M a r ti n

S UB

T h omp s on

Thompson

Thomps o n (45)

S UB

Ony e di n ma

Onyed i nma

Onyed inm a

S UB

O’ Br i e n ( 8 8 )

O’ B ri en

O’ B ri en

S UB

M a r q u i s ( 8 8)

M a r q u i s ( 8 6)

M a r q u is (81)

M IDFIE L DE R S

AT TAC K E R S

20-Fe b -1 6

2 7- Fe b-16

1 -M a r-1 6

5-M a r -1 6

L eag ue O n e

L e a g u e On e

Lea g u e One

Lea g u e O ne

Pe terb o ro ugh ( H ) D on c a s t e r ( A )

Wi g a n ( H )

B l a ckpool (H)

3- 0 W

1-1 D

0 -0 D

3-0 W

Archer

Archer

Ar cher

Archer

Ro m e o

R ome o

Romeo

Romeo

Webste r

We bs t e r

Web ster

Web ster

B ee v e r s

Be e ve r s

B eevers

B eever s

M ar tin

Martin

M a r ti n ( 79)

Ed w a r d s (65)

Wallace

Wa l l a c e ( 8 9 )

Wa l l a ce

Wa l l a ce

Ab d o u

A bdou

Ab d ou

Ab d ou

Th omp s o n

T h omp s on

Thompson ( 64 )

Thomp son

Fe rguson ( 85)

Fe r g u s on ( 7 6 )

Fer g u son

Ferg u son

M o ri so n (73 )

M or i s on

M or i son

M ori son (87 )

Greg o r y ( 7 6)

G re g or y

G reg or y

G reg or y (68)

Fo rd e

For de

For d e

Ford e

Nel so n

N e l s on

Nel son

Nel son

Edward s

M bu l u

Ed w a rd s

Up son ( 65)

Po wel l

W i l l i a ms

Wi l l i a ms ( 64 )

Wi l l i a ms

O nyedin m a ( 85)

Ony e di n ma ( 89)

Onyed i nma

Onyed i nm a

O ’ Brie n ( 7 6)

O’ Br i e n ( 7 6 )

O’ B ri en ( 79)

O’ B r i en (68)

M arqui s (73 )

P h i l p ot

Phi l p ot

Phi l pot (87 )

52

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