Millwall

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Are the Lions the real deal?

Or are they just passing through on a good roll of form?

Certainly on the basis of Millwall's trip along the Central Line to Loftus Road on Saturday, we are very much the classic 'hard team to beat' - away from home anyway.

First-half goals from the in-form Femi Azeez and the 'seeking form' Mihailo Ivanovic defeated a decent looking QPR side.

Despite a late flurry by the Hoops, this was very much a controlled and disciplined performance by the boys from Bermondsey.

One that has turned the excitement levels up to 11 as Millwall find themselves in the top six, this despite a season where the gaffer has rarely had a full-strength squad to choose from.

The QPR game saw pre-match knocks for goalkeeper Stephen Benda and striker Josh Coburn, both of whom exited the starting XI.

The industrious Massimo Luongo also joined the injury list after just 10 minutes of this hard fought London derby.

Much depends on the Lions keeping a healthy squad.

If we can do that, then Saturday's fine win in Shepherd's Bush hints at a very special season indeed for Millwall...

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Stoke City head to South London with the best defensive record in the Championship having conceded only six goals in their 10 matches so far

Millwall are looking to record three league wins in a row for the first time since April.

• Millwall have only lost one of their past 13 league meetings with Stoke City (W7 D5), going down 2-0 in March 2022.

• Stoke have lost each of their past four league visits to Millwall and could lose five in a row for the first time.

• Millwall have won seven of their past 10 home league games, although have lost three of their past five such matches.

• Since losing 6-0 at Leeds in April, Stoke have shipped just three goals across their past six away league outings.

• Millwall's Alex Neil has won five of his past six league matches against former side Stoke, losing the other 1-0 with Preston in September 2020.

Millwall boss Alex Neil was delighted with his side's character after they beat QPR at Loftus Road 2-1 despite not playing well.

Femi Azeez scored the opener before he set up Mihailo Ivanovic for the second to lift Millwall into the play-off places and the Lions remain unbeaten on the road.

"I do think we'll get better and we've been playing well in games," Neil told BBC Radio London. "Today was not one of them, but I think we're a difficult team to play against.

"You have to win when you're not playing well in this league to be effective and that's what we've done today.

"The most important thing to do is to win your games. Then you look at the performance and we know we can play better.

"Today we found ourselves 2-0 up without playing really well, but from our perspective, it's about getting points on the board and making sure we put ourselves in a strong position."

Millwall manager Alex Neil expects his team to get better as the season progresses and more players return to the squad.

The international break has meant key members of the Lions depleted squad have been able to return from injury with Alfie Doughty, Danny McNamara, Daniel Kelly and Casper De Norre back in training.

"We have made good progress in terms of getting some bodies back," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"I think the only thing we need to be conscious of is when we say they are back, they are not back to play three 90 minutes, back-to-back-to-back.

"But they are certainly back to being involved in the squad and to contribute - that will certainly make us stronger."

Millwall bounced back from their 4-0 loss to Coventry, with a convincing 3-0 win over play-off rivals West Bromwich Albion prior to the international break.

The Lions are eighth and one point outside the top six but are up against an in-form QPR side in Saturday's London derby (12:30 BST), with the Rs unbeaten in their last six matches.

"I would probably say so," Neil added, when asked whether Millwall are yet to show their full potential.

"I would expect that if we can try and keep everybody fit we will get better as time goes on, we should hopefully try and build our way into the season.

"I think we have had some really good results already, but I'm hoping for more consistency in terms of team selection, and more consistency in performance."

Listen to the full interview with Alex Neil and more Millwall on Sounds.

Image source, Opta

The international break is finally over and QPR and Millwall get back to business with a London derby at Loftus Road on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST).

After a slow start the R's look to have turned the corner under Julien Stephan, sitting sixth in the Championship after taking 14 points from their past six games and looking to make it seven unbeaten for the first time in nearly a year.

They lie one point and two places ahead of Alex Neil's Lions, who are unbeaten in their four away games in the league this year and are seeking to make it their best start on the road in a decade.

• Queens Park Rangers have only won two of their past eight league games against Millwall (D2 L4), though they have only lost one of their previous 13 against them at home (W5 D7).

• Millwall have picked up five points on their past four league visits to Queens Park Rangers (W1 D2 L1), as many as in their previous nine trips (D5 L4).

• After failing to win any of their first three league games this season (D1 L2), QPR are unbeaten in their past six (W4 D2); it's their longest run since December 2024 (7 games).

• Millwall are unbeaten away from home in the Championship this season (W2 D2), last going their first five away games of a season unbeaten in 2015-16 in League One.

• Richard Kone has scored in four of his past seven Championship appearances for QPR – since the date of his first goal, only three players have more Championship goals than his four.

Marc Webber
BBC Final Score at The Den

Image source, Rex Features

"This is the first time this season I've been able to pick close to my settled starting 11," proclaimed Millwall manager Alex Neil in his press conference after their comprehensive 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

That is quite the statement after 12 games.

But it is a fair reflection of why the Lions' form has been so hit-and-miss so far.

Not having the luxury of choice from the squad they have has been frustrating for the manager and fans alike.

It perhaps explains why Millwall went from a 4-0 hammering by one Midlands side one day (Coventry on Wednesday), to a 3-0 domination of one just a few days later.

The side that won on Saturday seems far closer to where Neil wants them to be and where they can be.

The international break has come at the right time for Millwall to reset and deliver what is possible.

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's decisive 3-0 win at John Berylson Way came as a massive tonic for Millwall fans everywhere.

The pressure of a sold-out Den, plus seven team changes from the midweek debacle versus Coventry and just one home goal from three home games prior to Saturday wasn't making me feel particularly hopeful as I walked to the match, I can tell you.

Especially as West Brom came into matters decently placed, with four league wins and sitting in fourth spot.

Privately, I'd have settled for a point - and a chance to regroup over the international break.

But forget all that. This proved to be the most complete, all-round performance of the Lions' season so far.

From the kick-off, Millwall pressed harder, tackled in more dangerous positions and altogether looked brighter in all departments.

We were a revelation compared with that sad showing just a few days beforehand.

Leading at half time from Jake Cooper's close-range finish on 18 minutes, little did we expect two goal of the season contenders from Femi Azeez on 56 and 'player of the match' Zak Sturge on 72.

Ka-boom.

Throw in quality performances from Billy Mitchell and Josh Coburn up front and this was a very satisfying result, indeed.

Hats off to Alex Neil and the squad for raising themselves off the floor in such fine style.

Hats off also to the many NFL weekend North American fans all around me at The Den on Saturday.

The Den might have been a bit of a culture shock for them, hopefully a pleasant one, but all seemed to enjoy the cracking atmosphere.

Millwall go from zeroes to heroes in three days. Football eh?

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Image source, Getty Images

Alex Neil was pleased with how clinical his Millwall side were in their 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Den.

Goals from Jake Cooper, Femi Azeez and Zak Sturge helped the Lions bounce back from defeat by Coventry City last week.

"To score three goals and have a clean sheet was important for us," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"Today we were clinical, we looked ruthless in front of goal, we were defensively solid.

"We got the balance right between playing and turning the ball and going up to support. Goals change games, it is true. It gives you a lift and allowed us to win the game comfortably in the end."

Neil made seven changes from the Coventry defeat but heaped praise on his players for carrying out his instructions.

"All I think about is preparing the lads for the game, and I'm pleased with it and the lads delivered. That is the hard bit.

"[The international break] has come at a good time because we've got a couple of lads to come back. We are in a good spot, the mood in the camp is good, and hopefully the fans will be pleased."

Image source, Getty Images

Hartlepool have signed Millwall goalkeeper George Evans on loan.

The 20-year-old joins after Pools' on-loan Hull City stopper Harvey Cartwright was ruled out with a "long-term" injury picked up in Tuesday's defeat at Carlisle.

Evans made four appearances for the Lions in the Championship last season and will go straight into the squad for Saturday's National League game at home to York City.

Pools have not stated the length of deal he has signed.

Image source, Opta

Millwall will seek to bounce back from their 4-0 mauling against Coventry on Wednesday as West Brom head to South London on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Though the Lions remain unbeaten in four games on the road, the defeat to the Sky Blues was a third in four on home soil, a run during which they have scored one goal and conceded nine.

They lie 12th ahead of the visit of the fourth-placed Baggies, three points ahead in a congested Championship table.

Albion ended an iffy run of one win in five with Wednesday's 1-0 victory at Norwich, which made it three wins from their four away games, only going down at table-topping Middlesbrough so far.

Ryan Mason's men have failed to score more than one goal in seven of their eight matches, though have conceded just seven goals, with three clean sheets, two of them on the road.

• Each of the past five league games between Millwall and West Brom have finished in draws, with the last two at The Den finishing 1-1.

• Since September 1987, West Brom have won just one of their 13 away league games against Millwall (D4 L8), a 2-0 victory in February 2020.

• The last five league meetings between Millwall and West Brom have seen a total of just four goals scored (two each), although all four of those have been scored in games at The Den.

• West Brom are unbeaten in their past five away games against London-based sides in the Championship (W2 D3), after losing five in a row beforehand.

• West Brom are the opponent that Alex Neil has faced the most times as a manager in the Championship without ever winning (seven games – D1 L6).

Millwall missed the chance to move into the Championship play-off places on Wednesday night, suffering a 4-0 home hammering at the hands of Coventry City.

"We missed too many chances and we conceded some soft goals," head coach Alex Neil told BBC Radio London.

A lapse of concentration from Millwall centre-back Tristan Crama gave the visitors the lead in the first half.

"Tristan Crama has been in my opinion our player of the season up to this point," Neil said.

"He's disappointed, I'm disappointed - but he's been terrific in all the matches for us [so far]."

The Lions went into half-time 1-0 down and came out for the second half with a fighting spirit, bringing the game to Coventry according to Neil.

"We built moves well, we worked into good areas but we just didn't have any sort of clinical[ity] in and around the final third," he said.

"When chances did come our way we didn't get it in the back of the net."

Millwall dominated possession with 63.4% and had 13 shots, the same amount as their opponents, but were unable to capitalise.

"The scoreline made the game look really, really horrible for us," Neil said.

The Lions have struggled at The Den this season, winning just three points compared with eight away from home.

"[On the road we're] being more effective, getting the first goal," said Neil.

"The resilience that we certainly had [away], we lacked [against Coventry], certainly towards the end in terms of defending our box."

Millwall will host fourth-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (15:00 BST) looking to get a second home league win of the season.

"It's another chance to go and improve and make sure that we're certainly better and get another win at home," added Neil.

Listen to the full interview with Alex Neil and more Millwall on Sounds.

Millwall host Coventry City on Wednesday night (19:45 BST), with the home side occupying 10th in the Championship table and having not lost a league game since the end of August.

Frank Lampard's Coventry City come into this one off the back of a dominating 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at the weekend but will be without Jack Rudoni, who will be sidelined for a few weeks.

The Lions have already been triumphant over the Sky Blues this season after they recorded a 2-1 win in the League Cup back in August.

• Millwall are winless in five league meetings with Coventry (D1 L4), their longest winless run against them since April 1964 (6).

• Coventry have won away to Millwall in both of the past two league seasons – the only time they have ever enjoyed back-to-back league wins away to the Lions.

• Millwall have won six of their last eight Championship home games (L2), as many as their previous 16 beforehand (W6 D4 L6).

• Coventry are looking to avoid defeat in each of their opening four away games of a league campaign in the top two tiers for the sixth time, and first since 1993-94 in the Premier League.

• Millwall's Alex Neil has only lost one of his five Championship managerial games against Coventry (W2 D2), a 0-2 defeat with Stoke in October 2022.

Millwall have had to change their approach to games while dealing with a number of injuries in the squad, says head coach Alex Neil.

The Lions picked up their first home win of the season in the Championship by beating Watford 1-0 on Monday but Neil feels if he had his full squad to choose from they would be higher in the table than their current 10th place.

"The only frustration is with a fuller squad we'd have even more points on the board - we'd certainly be more creative in the final third," he told BBC Radio London.

"Leading up to the Watford game you could sense a little bit of frustration and everything seemed a little down but since that game the training ground has felt a different place - but nothing has changed apart from getting those three points."

Midfielder Billy Mitchell and striker Mihailo Ivanovic are set to return to the squad for Saturday's trip to Swansea (12:30 BST) and Neil thinks having to make so many changes already this season has shown the Lions can be flexible in their approach.

"We've tinkered with some things in terms of changing shape so there have been little tweaks we've had to make to ensure, with the guys coming into the team, we play to their strengths," added Neil.

"The lads have been brilliant in terms of the ones that have been called into the team to play prominent roles and still get us results."

Swansea City will look to extend their undefeated home record to an eighth Championship game when they welcome Millwall on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Swans are enjoying a superb spell on home ground, last beating Premier League side Nottingham Forest there in the Carabao Cup before suffering the hangover of their mighty win by losing to Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

Though the Lions are faring well on the road this season and will be hoping that they will be the ones to put an end to Swansea's unblemished home record.

• Swansea have lost their last two home league games against Millwall – they've never lost three in a row against the Lions before.

• Millwall have won four of their last five league games against Swansea (L1), including each of the last three by a 1-0 scoreline.

• Swansea are unbeaten in their last seven home league games (W4 D3) since a 2-0 loss to Burnley in March. They last had a longer run between October 2020 and February 2021 (13).

• Millwall are unbeaten in their three away league games this season (W2 D1), last having a longer run from the start of a second-tier campaign in 1995-96 (9).

• Millwall's Mihailo Ivanovic has had more shots without scoring than any other player in the Championship this season (14). Last season he had the third-best conversion rate of any player with 50+ shots in the division (23.1%).

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."