May well come good - given the chance!
By Jr
August 14 2005
Millwall 0 Stoke 1 This was probably the worst game seen at the Den since the 1-0 home defeat to Preston saw the demise of current boss Colin Lee’s former friend Mark McGhee. On that night, the former Wolves boss had baffled the supporters with his team selection...
By Jr
August 14 2005
Millwall 0 Stoke 1 This was probably the worst game seen at the Den since the 1-0 home defeat to Preston saw the demise of current boss Colin Lee’s former friend Mark McGhee. On that night, the former Wolves boss had baffled the supporters with his team selection...
Millwall 0 Stoke 1
This was probably the worst game seen at the Den since the 1-0 home defeat to Preston saw the demise of current boss Colin Lee’s former friend Mark McGhee.
On that night, the former Wolves boss had baffled the supporters with his team selection and after the first home league defeat of the campaign was unceremoniously shown the door in October 2003.
Less than two years later and after the first home defeat this season, another ex Wolves manager, Lee, is not feeling the same kind of pressure from the fans - who have been admirably patient with the new man-in-charge.
But despite the backing of the fans, it was the Lions’ negativity that virtually gifted all three points to Stoke City - who couldn’t believe their luck when Millwall began with a 4-5-1 formation.
Despite Ben May’s promising pre-season, the young striker has been inexplicably left out by the new boss.
After the 4-5-1 formation failed to yield a goal at home to Coventry, it was hoped by some fans that Lee would revert to two upfront against Stoke.
But in midweek, Adrian Serioux’s ridiculous sending-off made a 0-0 draw against the Sky Blues seemed like a point gained rather than two points lost.
Meanwhile, the 4-5-1 at Leeds was reasonably effective, and had it not been for a rash tackle from Marvin Elliott, Millwall would have earned a point on their travels.
Away days are a very different proposition to playing at the Den, however, and the sooner Lee realises this, the better his chances of holding down the manager’s job.
Against Stoke, Millwall managed to dominate the first 15 minutes without really creating many chances.
The Lions’ fragile confidence began to crumble as passes went astray and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead.
Luke Chadwick took a throw on the right, which he received back from Dave Brammer. Chadwick played a ball into the box to Bruce Dyer, who played it first time to the overlapping John Halls. The full back despatched a low drive into the far corner, beating Andy Marshall all ends up.
Millwall rang the changes, but still they struggled to create much. In fact, the only real chance fell to Mark Phillips from Jamie Vincent’s corner, but the header was blocked on the line by Karl Henry.
Had it gone in, it would not have been rough on Stoke, who dominated the game.
The Lions will be breathing a sigh of relief that the Potters didn’t add to the scoreline, given the way Martin Kolar regularly broke through the middle of midfield relatively unopposed.
These are worrying days indeed at Millwall, and unless new recruits are brought in there’s a strong chance the season will end in tears.
Until then, the only realistic alternative is to try 4-4-2 from the start, with Ben May taking some of the pressure off Barry Hayles.
You never know, given the chance the boy may well come good.
Ratings:
Marshall 7 – kicking was poor, but made some good saves and catches.
Elliott 7 – looked more comfortable at right back, but was moved further upfield later on.
Phillips 8 – solid in defence and a threat upfront.
Lawrence 7 – steady and made very few mistakes.
Vincent 7 – gave the ball away at times, but tackled well.
Dunne 6 – not really hitting the heights of last season yet.
Hutchison 5 – looked tired and off the pace.
Morris 6 – not at his best.
Livermore 6 – played quite well at times, despite the booing.
Simpson 5 – not much went right for him.
Hayles 6 – kept trying, but never received a decent service.
Subs:
Fangueiro 6 – showed enthusiasm, but little else.
Peeters 7 – won a few headers and kept the ball well.
Igoe 7 – did well in the few minutes he was on the pitch
This was probably the worst game seen at the Den since the 1-0 home defeat to Preston saw the demise of current boss Colin Lee’s former friend Mark McGhee.
On that night, the former Wolves boss had baffled the supporters with his team selection and after the first home league defeat of the campaign was unceremoniously shown the door in October 2003.
Less than two years later and after the first home defeat this season, another ex Wolves manager, Lee, is not feeling the same kind of pressure from the fans - who have been admirably patient with the new man-in-charge.
But despite the backing of the fans, it was the Lions’ negativity that virtually gifted all three points to Stoke City - who couldn’t believe their luck when Millwall began with a 4-5-1 formation.
Despite Ben May’s promising pre-season, the young striker has been inexplicably left out by the new boss.
After the 4-5-1 formation failed to yield a goal at home to Coventry, it was hoped by some fans that Lee would revert to two upfront against Stoke.
But in midweek, Adrian Serioux’s ridiculous sending-off made a 0-0 draw against the Sky Blues seemed like a point gained rather than two points lost.
Meanwhile, the 4-5-1 at Leeds was reasonably effective, and had it not been for a rash tackle from Marvin Elliott, Millwall would have earned a point on their travels.
Away days are a very different proposition to playing at the Den, however, and the sooner Lee realises this, the better his chances of holding down the manager’s job.
Against Stoke, Millwall managed to dominate the first 15 minutes without really creating many chances.
The Lions’ fragile confidence began to crumble as passes went astray and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead.
Luke Chadwick took a throw on the right, which he received back from Dave Brammer. Chadwick played a ball into the box to Bruce Dyer, who played it first time to the overlapping John Halls. The full back despatched a low drive into the far corner, beating Andy Marshall all ends up.
Millwall rang the changes, but still they struggled to create much. In fact, the only real chance fell to Mark Phillips from Jamie Vincent’s corner, but the header was blocked on the line by Karl Henry.
Had it gone in, it would not have been rough on Stoke, who dominated the game.
The Lions will be breathing a sigh of relief that the Potters didn’t add to the scoreline, given the way Martin Kolar regularly broke through the middle of midfield relatively unopposed.
These are worrying days indeed at Millwall, and unless new recruits are brought in there’s a strong chance the season will end in tears.
Until then, the only realistic alternative is to try 4-4-2 from the start, with Ben May taking some of the pressure off Barry Hayles.
You never know, given the chance the boy may well come good.
Ratings:
Marshall 7 – kicking was poor, but made some good saves and catches.
Elliott 7 – looked more comfortable at right back, but was moved further upfield later on.
Phillips 8 – solid in defence and a threat upfront.
Lawrence 7 – steady and made very few mistakes.
Vincent 7 – gave the ball away at times, but tackled well.
Dunne 6 – not really hitting the heights of last season yet.
Hutchison 5 – looked tired and off the pace.
Morris 6 – not at his best.
Livermore 6 – played quite well at times, despite the booing.
Simpson 5 – not much went right for him.
Hayles 6 – kept trying, but never received a decent service.
Subs:
Fangueiro 6 – showed enthusiasm, but little else.
Peeters 7 – won a few headers and kept the ball well.
Igoe 7 – did well in the few minutes he was on the pitch
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