RamZone Preview - Millwall vs. Derby
Friday, 22nd Oct 2010 13:13 by Mick McDermott

Six games unbeaten and moving up the league - things are looking good for Nigel Clough's men.

Millwall vs. Derby County

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

Photo: Action Images

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