Millwall

Eve Beesley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall shared the points at Pride Park following a 1-1 draw against Derby in a somewhat disappointing manner.

The Lions came into the game having defeated Derby in their last five away fixtures and on the hunt for a fourth consecutive win in the league. They were largely on top throughout the first half, but the second half saw a more even contest.

Alex Neil's side had good chances in the first half, one of which saw Femi Azeez hit the outside of the post following a free-kick into the box by Alfie Doughty. Millwall did get the ball in the back of the net in the first half but it was ruled out as Mihailo Ivanovic was caught offside.

Both goals came late in the second half, with Millwall taking the lead through an 81st minute Matt Clarke own goal. However, the lead was not to last as seven minutes later Derby equalised via a Jake Cooper own goal from a corner.

Despite the array of good chances that Millwall created, the second half truly showed the tiredness within the squad.

As the season continues through the festive period, the toll that the injury crisis has taken is beginning to show.

This is evident when looking especially at Ivanovic who has received criticism online from fans this season as he has been struggling to reach the goalscoring proficiency he had last season.

However, I believe that these criticisms are harsh. The Serbian has featured in 19 matches so far and has often played nearly the full 90 minutes.

Following the injury to Josh Coburn and underwhelming performances of Macaulay Langstaff, Neil has had little choice but to rely on the 21-year-old up front.

But this isn't just limited to choices up front. Players persistently being injured or having long-term injuries, such as Massimo Luongo, has limited Neil's ability to rotate his squad to minimise such exhaustion.

As the January transfer window approaches, its importance becomes increasingly clear for Millwall.

To conclude, this season's injury crisis is hugely detrimental but the efforts of the players cannot be understated as the Lions sit third in the Championship.

Millwall boss Alex Neil spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 1-1 draw with Derby County:

"We're disappointed obviously in the fact that, when you're leading with 10 minutes to go we expect ourselves to see it out.

"I thought we had probably the better opportunities in the game. I thought second half we had two or three really good moments where we could have done a bit better.

"To concede in the manner we did is frustrating. If somebody produces a moment of quality it's a bit easier to accept, if you like.

"But I think it's a bit of a freak goal. We defend that one another hundred times and that doesn't happen.

"I didn't think they had any clear-cut chances in the game, so I think that's where the biggest frustration from our perspective comes out."

Millwall will aim to continue their impressive run of form when they visit Derby County on Wednesday night (19:45 GMT).

The Lions have won three on the bounce and are pushing for an automatic promotion spot following a 1-0 victory away at Bristol City on Saturday.

The Rams have slipped to 15th in the Championship after three defeats in their past four games (W1) and are looking to bounce back.

• Derby have won just two of their past 11 league games against Millwall (D3 L6), with both wins coming away from home in June and December 2020.

• Millwall have won their past five away league games against Derby – they've won six in a row on the road against an opponent in their league history.

• Derby are unbeaten in their past eight midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Championship games (W5 D3), since a 1-0 loss against Sunderland in January.

• Millwall have alternated between defeat (3) and victory (3) in their past six midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) league games, beating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at the Den last time out.

• Having lost his first four away league games against Derby without his side's scoring, Millwall boss Alex Neil has won his past two visits to Pride Park 1-0 (with Preston and Millwall).

Image source, Getty Images

The FA Cup third round draw was made on Monday evening, with all 24 Championship clubs entering at this stage of the competition.

Ties will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.

These are the ties involving Championship clubs:

• Cambridge United v Birmingham City

• Hull City v Blackburn Rovers

• Bristol City v Watford

• Charlton Athletic v Chelsea

• Stoke City v Coventry

• Derby County v Leeds United

• Ipswich Town v Blackpool

• Cheltenham Town v Leicester City

• Fulham v Middlesbrough

• Burnley v Millwall

• Norwich City v Walsall

• MK Dons v Oxford United

• Portsmouth v Arsenal

• Preston North End v Wigan Athletic

• West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers

• Sheffield United v Mansfield Town

• Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford

• Doncaster Rovers v Southampton

• Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

• Wrexham v Nottingham Forest

You can see the full draw here.

Eve Beesley
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

Millwall's victory over Bristol City sees the Lions sit third in the table, with Mihailo Ivanovic striking the goal to secure a third victory in a row.

The game was certainly marred by controversial refereeing decisions for both sides, with Bristol City having a goal ruled out for being offside despite being onside and a contentious booking for Millwall left-back Zak Sturge in the 80th minute.

This absolutely reflects the larger problem within this league when looking at the quality of refereeing and how such decisions can have long-term consequences for teams - such as Jake Cooper's suspension recently, following a disputable fifth yellow card.

Following last weekend's intense victory over Southampton, this win further emphasised how important it is for Millwall to continue to capitalise on attacking moments and goalscoring opportunities as the season continues.

In his post-match interview, Alex Neil said: "If you want to try and be at the top end of the table, can you win games when not at your best?"

The ability within the squad to have a determined and fighting mentality while capitalising on such moments is clearly an important part of Neil's ethos.

Finally, I think it is important to note the importance of the support to this team.

Midfielder Daniel Kelly said: "The crowd were excellent, they pulled us through and got us there in the end."

I can only hope Millwall fans will continue to fill The Den and show such support as the season continues, as they are certainly the 12th man.

Nikesh Rughani
BBC Final Score

Image source, Shutterstock

Milwall completed the ultimate smash and grab at Ashton Gate. The home side were far superior creating a couple of good chances in the first half, with Anis Mehmeti shooting just wide and Scott Twine having an effort cleared off the line.

After half time, Millwall's goal came against the run of play, a counter attack, leading to a double save from Femi Aziz, before Mihailo Ivanovic latched onto the deflection to score from close range.

Bristol City continued to create chances, with Mark Sykes, Rob Dickie and Emil Riis all coming close.

But Millwall held on, to record their third win in a row to keep fans dreaming of the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall manager Alex Neil admires his side's willingness to tough it out - as evidenced by the ill-tempered victory at Bristol City.

The Lions prevailed 1-0 to keep up their Championship promotion push in a hard-fought game marred by a post-match flare-up between the two benches.

"Today was a grinding performance where we needed to do the nasty bits of the game well and we would get opportunities and if we could take them we'd win and that's what we did," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"We're not trying to kid ourselves or anyone else that we popped Bristol off the pitch but we defended resolutely and we carried a threat second half and if we can do that more often than not we can win games.

"What you have to bear in mind is how many players we have missing. For the lads to come through this test, come here to Bristol City who are a good side, manage to get the win and keep a clean sheet…brilliant."

The victory came at a cost with Millwall's injury list lengthening with the addition of Belgian midfielder Casper de Norre who went off at half-time at Ashton Gate.

"We ended up with Alfie (Doughty), (Thierno) Ballo and Camiel Neghli as a midfield three which I don't think will ever be repeated again," Neil added.

Millwall are improving all aspects of the club at a "really quick pace" says head coach Alex Neil.

The Lions' nine wins and 31 points from their opening 18 Championship games is their best start to a league season for 17 years and has them in third place as they prepare for Saturday's game at Bristol City (15:00 GMT).

"A lot of the foundations were built last year, we finished the end of last season really strongly," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"We built up an expectation inwardly as well as outwardly in terms of what this team is potentially capable of."

Millwall did sell key defender Japhet Tanganga to Sheffield United in August but Neil says being able to recruit a significant number of new players has helped, along with improvements elsewhere around the club.

"We've signed quite a few players as well and when you're making signings there's an air of optimism because we're doing business and we look as if we're trying to improve," he added.

"The Den has had a revamp so in so many different aspects the club is trying to move forward and improve and upgrade lots of different areas of the club.

"That's nice to be part of - you don't want it to feel stagnant and if anything we've been moving at a really quick pace in terms of improving different aspects of the team."

Millwall will have defender Zak Sturge back available for their trip to the sixth-placed Robins after he missed the past two games because of concussion.

This is sixth against third in the Championship (15:00 GMT) with both sides looking to consolidate their place in the promotion race.

Bristol City have three of their past four home matches while Millwall head west with their last away win coming on October 18 at QPR.

• Bristol City have won three of their past four league games against Millwall (L1), more than they had in their previous 14 (W2 D5 L7).

• Millwall have won four of their past six away league games against Bristol City (L2) but did lose this exact fixture 4-3 last season.

• No side have kept more clean sheets in the Championship this season than Bristol City (7), though they have kept more away from home (4) than they have at Ashton Gate (3).

• Nine wins and 31 points from 18 games is Millwall's best start to a league season since 2008-09 in League One (11 wins, 36 points), while it is their best in the second tier since 2001-02 (9 wins, 31 points).

• Having been unbeaten in their first six away league games this season (W3 D3), Millwall have lost their past two on the road by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Millwall's success in the Championship this season is down to getting the basics right, according to former Middlesbrough and Stoke full-back Tommy Smith.

The Lions are one of the surprise packages of the season and are currently third in the table.

"Millwall do the basics ever so well, the fundamentals," Smith told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"There are some teams that neglect that and it's really frustrating to see as an ex-player - those fundamentals and basics can get you to be a successful team."

Successive wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton means Alex Neil's side are only two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough, as the Lions prepare to visit Bristol City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"They are very good at what they do, they're physical and direct and I think the league has gone full circle, it's a lot more physical and direct," said Smith.

"Two or three years ago it was all playing out from the back and being dominant in possession. I feel it's got to the point where, and I say this with respect because it's not an easy thing to do, if you're direct with quality you can be effective.

"People are labelling Arsenal as direct and physical but they do it with quality and purpose."

Despite their lofty position, Millwall have only scored 22 goals in their 18 league games and Smith thinks that is an area they will need to address to sustain a promotion challenge.

"They're doing great but the only thing that worries me is their lack of goals," he added. "They are sitting third in the league but with a -3 goal difference which would, for me, be a slight concern."

Image source, Shuttershock

Everyone at Millwall is pulling in the same direction, says defender Tristan Crama.

The Frenchman scored a 97th-minute winner against Southampton as their 3-2 victory on Saturday sent the Lions up to third place in the Championship.

"It's been great since I joined the club, everyone has been on the same page from the start," he told BBC Radio London.

"It's a lovely group and I just love coming here every morning to work."

Crama joined Millwall from Brentford in January with his strike against Southampton his second goal for the club.

"We've got so much belief, especially at home, even when it went 2-2 we were still one against one all over the pitch, we wanted the win," he added.

"It's good to be there (third) but the whole league is tight from second place to 15th or 16th. When you see where you are it is good, but we know there are still so many games left."

Millwall visit Bristol City on Saturday, 6 December (15:00 GMT).

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Neil paid tribute to his Millwall players after Tristan Crama's 97th-minute winner in their dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton lifted them to third in the Championship.

Millwall recovered from 1-0 down and Neil felt the players and the fans will long remember this game because of the quality of the goals.

Neil told BBC Radio London: "I thought the game merited that type of finish.

"You've got Femi's [Azeez] goal, then Caleb's [Taylor] goal and you finish it that way, that's a game you'll always remember, especially against the quality of the opposition and how depleted we are with so many young lads on as well.

"You can see how much the group like each other. They're all friends, this isn't just their work and they go home, it matters to them, this club matters to them, the fans matter to them, winning matters to them. It's a great club to be a part of."

Image source, Opta

Resurgent Southampton could find themselves in the play-off places with a win at high-flying Millwall on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Following Wednesday's 1-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday, which ended a four-game winless run, the Lions go into the weekend sat fourth and with a chance of climbing into the automatic promotion places with another victory.

After drubbing Leicester 3-0 on Tuesday, Saints have now won four straight under interim boss Tonda Eckert, scoring 13 goals and conceding only three, and have climbed to 13th, but depending on results elsewhere another win could see them jump into the top six.

• Millwall have won just one of their past nine league games against Southampton (D3 L5), though it was in their last meeting in February 2024 (2-1 at St Mary's).

• Southampton are unbeaten in their past six away league games against Millwall (W3 D3) since a 3-0 loss in September 1977.

• Having lost 3-1 at Portsmouth last weekend, Millwall could lose successive league games on a Saturday for the first time since last December, coming against Coventry and Middlesbrough.

• Southampton lead the Championship by way of points (12) and goals scored (13) since Tonda Eckert's first game in charge (5 November); they scored 13 goals in Will Still's 13 league games by comparison.

• All five of Finn Azaz's goal involvements for Southampton in the Championship this season have come in his past four appearances (4 goals, 1 assist), while he could score in four successive matches in the competition for the first time.

Alex Neil praised Millwall's attitude after his injury-hit side beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 thanks to Femi Azeez's goal to jump to fourth in the Championship.

The victory ends Millwall's run of four games without a win and Neil was delighted with his players' character.

He told BBC Radio London: "In the second half we created a lot of chances, they created one or two themselves, but over the piece I thought we deserved to win.

"These games are not easy - they're a tough team to play against and play with an element of freedom as they have nothing to lose, so we've then got to put a professional performance on and take the game away from them and eventually we did.

"We've won four out of five at home, we're fourth in the table with an injury list as long as my arm since the start of the season and it's just continued, so for the lads to be where they are, they deserve a huge amount of credit for that."

Millwall will look to end their four match winless streak as they host basement side Sheffield Wednesday in the midweek.

The Lions' past four league games have seen two draws and two losses to put them just outside the top six on goal difference.

On Wednesday (19:45 BST), the side may have the opportunity to return to the play-off spots and face an Owls side that have not claimed a win since September.

• Millwall have lost just one of their last nine league games against Sheffield Wednesday (W4 D4), keeping six clean sheets in that run.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost four of their last six away league games against Millwall, with the exceptions being a 0-0 draw in February 2019 and a 2-0 win in February 2024.

• Millwall lost three of their first four home league games this season (W1), scoring just once and conceding nine. The Lions are now unbeaten in their last four at home (W3 D1), scoring seven goals and conceding just once.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won just one of their last 11 away league games (D6 L4), beating Portsmouth 2-0 in September. However, the Owls have earned more points away from home (6) than they have at Hillsborough so far this season.

• Sheffield Wednesday's Jamal Lowe has scored three goals in his last five league starts against Millwall, with all of three of these coming at the Den.

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall boss Alex Neil described his side's defeat at Portsmouth as "a real disappointment" on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions managed to get a goal back after going two down but were ultimately well beaten by their opponents who scored once more late on.

Despite the loss Millwall remain seventh in the Championship table level on points with Hull City above them.

"Today's a real disappointment but we've had to overcome a lot of challenges," Neil told the media after the game.

"The nature of the goals, particularly the second and the third for me, were extremely frustrating because I thought we should have done better.

"I think it's very dubious for the sending-off but Joe should not give them the opportunity to do that. I think the reaction of the players, the reaction of the fans, it doesn't surprise me that the referee's got out the red card.

"I know it sounds like excuses but I've been at this level a long time and when you are depleted in so many different areas and you're missing your captain, it's really difficult to win games at this level and that was a hard day for us today."

Millwall will hope to bounce back to winning ways on Wednesday when they host Sheffield Wednesday at the Den.