Millwall

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Optimism levels have been turned up the 11 at The Den, for at least until 17:00 on Saturday anyway, all in the wake of a magnificent away win at Norwich City.

Over 2,000 travelling Lions were privileged to see an initially rusty first half transform into a very strong second half, indeed.

This year has seen some shrewd signings, improving experienced players and an emphasis on bringing through young talent at Millwall.

And this paid off handsomely after a first 45 minutes spent containing the expensive-looking Canaries who, despite having the bulk of the possession, were restricted to harmless long-range shots.

After the break, however, the Lions took matters up a gear and opened the scoring on 51 minutes via a fine right-sided cross from Tristan Crama, which was well finished by Camiel Neghli for 1-0.

Moments later we went from the sublime to the ridiculous when new keeper Steven Benda contrived to rebound a clearance off of Josh Sargent's back into an empty net.

"Oh gawd" was the collective view amongst the Lions following around me when that slapstick goal went in the net.

Thankfully however the Millwall heads didn't drop and, despite the normally reliable Femi Azeez missing a sitter on 60 minutes, an excellent through-ball from another new face Alfie Doughty finished matters.

A pass of beauty straight into the path of Macaulay Langstaff, who slotted it away like Bermondsey's answer to Erling Haaland for 2-1.

All in all, a beautiful day in East Anglia - particularly for Langstaff, who has struggled for form since signing from Notts County last season.

Find more from Nick Hart on Achtung! Millwall., external

Millwall boss Alex Neil was delighted to see Macaulay Langstaff continue his pre-season form into the start of the new Championship campaign as the striker's late goal earned them a 2-1 win at Norwich.

Langstaff was a prolific scorer for previous club Notts County, but only found the net once in 36 appearances for the Lions last term.

He replaced Josh Coburn in the 80th minute at Carrow Road with the score 1-1 and only need three minutes to slot home Alfie Doughty's ball.

"Macca has been excellent for us in pre-season. He scored a very similar goal the other day. It was a great finish by him and I'm really pleased," said Neil.

"It was a great way to start the season for us. There has been a lot of talk this week externally about our record here, I think we hadn't won since 1968, which is a hell of a long time.

"So it's really nice to get that off our back and it's really nice to get the win. I thought we deserved the win and I thought in the second half we were much improved."

Millwall are away to Newport County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

The Liam Manning era at Carrow Road begins with the visit of Millwall to face Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Alex Neil's Lions eventually finished five places and nine points ahead of the Canaries last season, though missed out on the play-off places on a dramatic final day.

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their last 21 home league games against Millwall since November 1968 (W14 D7), their longest ever run against an opponent.

• Millwall have won two of their last three league games against Norwich City (L1), as many victories as across their prior 15 meetings with the Canaries combined (D3 L10).

• Norwich have won just one of their last eight opening day league fixtures that have come on home soil (D3 L4), though that sole victory did come in their last with a 2-1 win over Hull City in August 2023.

• Millwall lost 3-2 against Watford in their opening league match last season, last losing on MD1 in consecutive campaigns in 2012-13/2013-14.

• Since 25 January (their first win under manager Alex Neil), only promoted sides Burnley (44) and Leeds (41) have earned more points in the Championship than Millwall (35 – W11 D2 L6).

Spurs midfielder Alfie Devine, 21, is tipped to go out on loan this season, with Millwall a potential destination for the former England youth international. (The72), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall defender Kamarl Grant has signed a new "long-term" contract with the Championship club.

The 22-year-old has signed a deal which Millwall say will keep Grant at the club for the "foreseeable future".

Grant has yet to play a first team game for the Lions but impressed in a pre-season game with Sutton United earlier this week.

He spent the last season on loan at Bromley in League Two, having helped the club reach the National League play-offs the season before.

"Kamarl deserves this deal," director of football Steve Gallen said.

"He has had a couple of really good loans over the last few years and we've been watching his development closely. I am really pleased with his progress."

Millwall are in talks to bring Luton Town's Alfie Doughty, 25, to The Den, where the versatile English left-back would be expected to play in a more attacking role. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Millwall will battle Dundee United for former Luton and Scotland midfielder Allan Campbell, 27. (SportsBoom, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Millwall's Serbian forward Mihailo Ivanovic is wanted by Serie A side Parma, as well as Wolves and Everton. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall goalkeeper George Evans has signed a new "long-term" contract at The Den.

The 20-year academy graduate made his debut in a 4-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers last season when regular number one Lukas Jensen was injured and back-up stopper Liam Roberts was suspended.

Evans started the following three games, conceding eight goals as the Lions finished the season with two wins and two defeats.

He will compete with new signing Max Crocombe and current number one Jensen in the Lions' goalkeeper department for the coming season.

The club did not state the length of Evans' deal, external.

Alex Neil's side travel to Norwich City on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

Josh Coburn says it was the "right time" to leave Middlesbrough after he signed for Millwall last week.

The 22-year-old forward, who spent last season on loan with the Lions, spoke to BBC Radio Tees' Mark Drury to reflect on his time at the Riverside Stadium.

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.