Six games unbeaten and moving up the league - things are looking good for Nigel Clough's men.
Saturday 23rd October 2010 15:00
The New Den
Bermondsey - London
Millwall v Derby - Historical:
P 20 W 6 D 5 L 9 F 20 A 27
Last game at The New Den:
02/01/10 Millwall 1 - 1 Derby County (Commons)
Recent Form:
Millwall: 12/24 P 12 W 4 D 4 L 4 F 22 A 13
Leading scorers: Morison (6)
Derby: 7/24 P 12 W 5 3 D 4 L 3 F 20 A 22
Leading scorers: Commons (7)
The Rams:
What is gratifying is that though the men bought in - Kuqi & Bueno - have made a lot of difference, the players that were already here are showing just what they could have done all along. It's amazing what confidence can do.
Look at Kris Commons - Forest fans at work have said how he will score a couple of goals and them disappear for a few games and them be injured for another half dozen.
He's now got seven goals and looks to be enjoying his game. Okay cynics might suggest that he's playing for a new contract or for a money spinning move - but if that gets us promoted then what the hell!
Should we be in a promotion position or at least considered to be good enough to challenge, the players we have may stay, we might attract better players - the board may stump up some more significant investment.
The good form may go to my head but it's better than the perpetual gloom we've had for the last few years.
Probable Team:
Fielding
Brayford, Leacock, Barker, Moxey
Bailey, Pringle
Bueno, Green, Commons
Kuqi
Subs - Deeney, O'Brien, Roberts, Moore, Savage, Noble, Cywka
No. Position Player
1 Keeper Stephen Bywater Injured
2 Defender John Brayford
3 Defender Gareth Roberts
4 Midfield Paul Green
5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain)
6 Defender Dean Leacock
7 Striker Steve Davies Injured
8 Midfield Robbie Savage (captain)
9 Striker Shefki Kuqi (on loan from Swansea City)
10 Midfield Kris Commons
11 Midfield Stephen Pearson
12 Striker Chris Porter Injured
13 Keeper Saul Deeney
14 Defender Russell Anderson
15 Midfield David Martin
16 Midfield James Bailey
17 Defender Jake Buxton
18 Midfield Ben Pringle
19 Striker Tomasz Cywka
20 Defender Miles Addison Injured
21 Defender Dean Moxey
23 Striker Conor Doyle
25 Defender Mark O'Brien
26 Striker Callum Ball
27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid)
28 Striker Luke Moore (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
29 Striker Ryan Noble (on loan from Sunderland)
30 Keeper Ross Atkins
34 Keeper Frank Fielding (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick
36 Defender Kallum Keane
37 Midfield Ryan Connolly
38 Midfield Medi Abalimba
39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Millwall:
“We can play a lot better than that,” he said. “We were very predictable and did not create enough.”
So said Kenny Jackett after the narrow 1-0 defeat at home by Portsmouth.
Millwall have won, drawn and lost 4 suggesting that they are a mid-table side but don't let the erratic results fool you. On their day they are good enough to beat anyone.
While not as intimidating as Cold Blow Lane, the New Den is an intimidating place to play football. Visiting manager Steve Cotterill was impressed with the home fans and said;
“It's an intimidating crowd to play in front of but I had some good banter with them.”
Current Squad:
No. Position Player
1 Keeper David Forde
2 Defender Alan Dunne
3 Defender Andrew Frampton
4 Midfield Darren Carter (on loan from Preston North End)
5 Defender Paul Robinson (captain)
6 Midfield Liam Trotter
7 Midfield Danny Schofield
9 Striker Neil Harris
11 Striker Shaun Batt
12 Midfield Chris Hackett
14 Midfield James Henry
15 Defender Tony Craig (vice-captain)
16 Midfield Scott Barron
17 Defender Tamika Mkandawire
18 Defender Darren Ward
19 Striker Ashley Grimes
20 Striker Steve Morison
21 Defender Jack Smith
22 Striker Kevin Lisbie (on loan from Ipswich Town)
23 Keeper Steve Mildenhall
24 Midfield Marc Laird
25 Striker Theo Robinson (on loan from Huddersfield Town)
26 Midfield Nadjim Abdou
32 Striker John Marquis
– Defender Danny Shittu
What the bookies think:
Millwall are favourites at 6/5 on while the Rams are at 23/10. The draw is also at 23/10.
Kris Commons is at 6/1 while Shefki Kuqi and Luke Moore are at 7/1.
Stephen Morison is at 9/2 while Theo Robinson & Neil Harris are at 11/2.
A Kris Commons hat-trick would get you 40/1 while he is at 6/1 to score. Shefki Kuqi & Luke Moore are at 7/1.
Information for travelling fans:
Driving
From footballgroundguid.com: It’s M1/M25 South. follow the M25 clockwise to Junction 2. The A2 actually passes the ground. Once you go past New Cross Gate tube station on your right, the ground is about a mile further on.
The only awkward bit is about half way in-between New Cross Gate and the ground where the road splits into two. Keep to the right following the signs A2 City/Westminster. You will come to the ground on your right.
Parking
There is street parking to be found near the ground. There are however no sizeable car parks around the ground. I would go on the train.
Drinking
Drinking near the ground is not advisable to say the least. If you go on the train there are plenty of places to drink around London Bridge. The Barrowboy & Banker and the Borough Market are recommended though you may get rounded up by the police and herded to the ground.
Mick's prediction:
What was pleasing against Doncaster is that though the team had a wobble when they were 2-0 up, they retained their composure and fought back to win. It's a while since we've seen the team do that.
Am I getting carried away? You bet!
Millwall 1 - 2 Derby