Millwall

Millwall take on QPR in a London derby at The Den on Saturday afternoon looking to continue their recent improvement in form.

The Lions ended a six-game winless run with two wins on the bounce and face a Hoops side who have been in impressive form themselves before a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

QPR had won eight of their previous 12 games (D3 L1) and are still within six points of the play-offs, while Millwall are seven points off the top six.

• Millwall have won just three of their past 13 league games against QPR (D4 L6), though two of those victories have come on home soil via 2-0 scorelines.

• QPR have won just two of their past 11 away league games against Millwall (D5 L4), failing to score in six matches during that time.

• Following their victory away at Portsmouth (1-0), Millwall will be aiming to win three consecutive games in the Championship for the first time since November 2024 (a run of four under Neil Harris).

• Having won each of their last two away league games against Plymouth and Hull, QPR will be looking to win three in succession on the road for the first time since October 2022.

• No QPR player has been directly involved in more Championship goals this season than Rayan Kolli (6 – four goals, two assists), although only one of those six came in an away match (scored v Plymouth this month).

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Optimism.

Yes, it's amazing what a difference three points can make.

After a tough week at The Den, Saturday lunchtime's hard-fought win at Kenilworth Road answered a few questions that were hanging over this squad.

Of course this game was never going to be an extravaganza of free-flowing open play. And it certainly wasn't.

But if you're going to have a hard ground 1-0 result, then you want to be on the winning side of that scoreline.

And thanks to an excellent ball from our highly rated prospect Ra'ees Bangura-Williams to club record signing Mihailo Ivanovic, the issue was settled with his fantastic ball control and a 25-yard dipping strike into the bottom left corner.

A wonderful moment of skill to make up for a missed penalty earlier by another decent looking signing in Aaron Connolly.

On the down side, the Lions' injury crisis continues to mount with both Calum Scanlon and goalkeeper Lukas Jensen substituted after being hurt, both joining an ever-lengthening medical list that leaves us worryingly short in some areas.

But with a decent away win and some sterling performances by the likes of new signing Tristan Crama, Japhet Tanganga and Casper De Norre, Millwall can travel to relegation rivals Portsmouth tomorrow night feeling that 'O' word is stirring again in South Bermondsey.

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

Portsmouth welcome Millwall on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT) to play out a game in hand after the fixture was called off because of a power failure on 27 November.

Pompey were thrashed 5-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday but have won four on the bounce at Fratton Park and are unbeaten in their past seven on home soil (W6 D1).

Millwall ended a six-game winless run with a 1-0 victory at Luton at the weekend to move up to 16th, while Portsmouth are 21st, two points above the drop zone.

• Portsmouth have lost just two of their past 19 home league games against Millwall (W10 D7), conceding more than one goal in just three of those matches.

• Millwall have won both of their past two league games against Portsmouth, and will be looking to win three in succession against Pompey for just the second time in the EFL, having previously done so from 1923 to 1966.

• Portsmouth have won six of their past seven home league games (D1), including each of their last four in a row, all while scoring 2+ goals.

• Millwall have only won one of their past nine away league games played on a Tuesday (D4 L4), beating Plymouth 2-0 in October.

• Millwall have only won two of their past 11 Championship away games at newly promoted opposition (D2 L7), wins over Plymouth (2-0) and Sheffield Wednesday (4-0) last term.

Image source, PA Media

Millwall manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio London:

"The result was the most important thing. But the manner in which we did it was even more important to me. It wasn't a smash-and-grab, and it wasn't a case of us not deserving it. We thoroughly deserved it when you think of the chances in the game.

"We missed a penalty and could have scored a second goal with a great opportunity at the back post, and when we needed to be big and strong, and win our duels, we did that.

"Everyone knows we're light [on players] at the moment so to out in the performance we did, having missed a penalty and conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in the last game, that's a lot of things going against you and it shows the lads' hunger and determination to succeed.

[On injuries] "We don't know how Lukas (Jensen) is going to be. Calum's (Scanlon) is a bad one at the moment - I think it's a hamstring so we'll get that scanned."

Wolves have rejected an opening offer from Millwall for 22-year-old English midfielder Luke Cundle, who is also wanted by Swansea and Bristol City. (Express and Star), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.

Wolves have rejected an opening offer from Millwall for midfielder Luke Cundle, who is also wanted by Swansea City and Bristol City. (Express and Star), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Neil's Millwall head to Luton on Saturday (12:30 GMT), having been denied their first win under their new boss by a last-gasp Cardiff goal on Tuesday.

Six places, but just five points, separate the second-bottom Hatters from the Lions, after Matt Bloomfield's men twice allowed leads to slip in their defeat at Oxford United the same evening.

• Luton Town are unbeaten across their past six league games against Millwall (W2 D4), keeping a clean sheet in each of their last two meetings with the Lions.

• Millwall have failed to win any of their past six away league games against Luton Town (D5 L1) since a 1-0 victory in October 2000. Each of their last five visits, however, have finished as a draw.

• Luton have lost just one of their last eight home league games (W4 D3), a 1-0 defeat by Norwich City. Across that stint, the Hatters haven't conceded more than one goal in any of those matches.

• Millwall have failed to win any of their past six away league games (D4 L2), last enduring a longer run without victory on the road between March and October 2022 (12 matches).

• Millwall boss Alex Neil has won none of his three Football League away games against Luton (D1 L2), losing his last two visits with Preston (December 2020) and Stoke City (February 2023).

Image source, Rex Features

As well as talking all things Ra'ees Bangura-Williams and if he is up to the task of replacing Romain Esse, some of you were also keen to share your views on the areas Millwall might need to address in the transfer window.

Here are some of the responses:

Bill: The Lions are badly in need of a number 10 playmaker and another midfielder to help hold the ball and retain possession. The current midfield set-up worryingly looks too much like League One.

Bernie: New left-back, central midfielder and striker who can score 15+ goals a season.

A clear-out of some of the players - [Joe] Bryan, [Billy] Mitchell, [George] Saville, [George] Honeyman and Murray Wallace.

Damian: Our two right-backs both went off injured in the space of five minutes during the match against Cardiff, so I would like to see us sign another right-back.

Tony: I think we've got enough strikers at the club but we're not giving them the service to score.

What we really need is a goalscoring creative number 10. We have missed Zian Flemming.

I understand the rationale behind selling players at a profit, but it's counterproductive if it means we struggle and end up in a relegation fight.

Get rid of some of the older players and use more of the youth team players who are the future.

Image source, Getty Images

Bob: Millwall require a dedicated striker who is capable of scoring 10 goals plus in a season. That much has been obvious for several seasons. The question is can Millwall afford such a person, and then hang on to them?

Not sure that is easily attainable - witness the Romain Esse transfer. Unless they can sign a striker who can deliver the goals, I feel that Millwall will always be looking over their shoulder at the closeness of the relegation zone.

I have supported Millwall for the past 62 years and I do worry for their continued pursuit of survival in the Championship.

John: We need a striker, a left-back, a goalie and a central midfielder or two. Get Saville, Bryan and Mitchell out the club.

Andy: Left-back, right-back and probably another centre-half!

Do you agree? Share your thoughts here.

Millwall boss Alex Neil is preparing a bid for 22-year-old Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle, who has also been linked with Preston North End, Swansea City and Bristol City. (South London Press, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip page.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether Ra'ees Bangura-Williams was ready to fill the void left in Millwall's squad by Romain Esse's sale to Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Joseph: He undoubtedly had a couple of high-quality moments and obviously works well in tight spaces, but his overall contribution wasn't close to the level of Esse or a Championship-level player.

Right now, he is lacking a physicality that's essential to competing in the Championship, an understanding of how to use his body, as well as a real grasp of the big spaces in a football pitch and how to break into them. Off-the-ball movement is most definitely a work in progress.

He made the crowd cheer and can get you out of your seat, the cool head for the assist was great to see, but if he starts for the rest of the season I would suggest Millwall will struggle to stay floating around mid-table.

Harry: He's already doing stuff that we never saw Esse do.

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony: Bangura-Williams oozes class. He needs match fitness, match time, and to learn the art of tackling and positional play. But he moves gracefully, has tremendous ball skills, can pick a pass, and can accelerate past players.

He should be played for 60 minutes per match to build his experience and stamina. A special talent.

Gary: He is definitely another young player Millwall can earn money from. I would say he is a lot more skilful and composed on the ball. COYL.

Damian: Bangura-Williams looks a real talent but still raw and maybe needs a run of games to get match fit.

Dean: All right saying that he MAY be an Esse replacement but in true Millwall style we'll sell him off.

Image source, Getty Images

Romain Esse's move to Premier League Crystal Palace has left a creative hole in Millwall's attack.

The 19-year-old scored five goals in 26 appearances for the Lions this season before completing his transfer to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

But no sooner has one academy graduate gone than another exciting talent has emerged in Ra'ees Bangura-Williams.

The 20-year-old came off the bench to score on his senior debut against Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup last week and marked his first Championship start with a scintillating assist in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.

Which begs the following questions:

Do Millwall need to sign a replacement for Esse?

Or do they already have a ready-made successor in Bangura-Williams?

What areas of the squad do the Lions most need to address in the transfer market?

And who would you like to see them sign?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Millwall defender Dan McNamara is a subject of interest for Stoke, with the 26-year-old out of favour at the Den. (The72, external)

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

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall head coach Alex Neil described his side's defending as "nearly criminal" after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with Cardiff City at The Den on Tuesday.

Calum Scanlon's first professional goal put the home side ahead little more than a minute into the game before Casper De Norre doubled the lead on 19 minutes.

But Chris Willock's strike in first-half added time gave the Bluebirds a lifeline before substitute Yousef Salech scored his first goal for the club in the seventh minute of time added on at the end to draw the Welsh side level.

The result means the Lions have now gone six Championship games without a win, with Neil still waiting for his first league victory since joining the club last month.

"We conceded a goal a minute before half-time and then in the last minute of the game so from our perspective that is nearly criminal," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"Both goals, we don't clear our lines properly, kick it straight to them and within one or two touches the ball ends up in the back of our net.

"In that respect we only have ourselves to blame.

"When you are tired that's when you need to dig in and be professional and see the game out. When we score two goals and are 2-0 up, we expected to win the game from there. It's so hard to accept."

Millwall visit Luton Town in one of Saturday's early kick-offs.

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Romain Esse's big-money move to near neighbours Crystal Palace, believed to total £14.5m including potential add-ons, creates both an opportunity and a problem for the Lions.

An opportunity to build on the so-called new Millwall project of buying in talent cheaply, developing it and then selling it on at a profit.

But also a problem, in that Romain was one of our few creative players within a squad that has scored the least goals so far in the Championship this season.

After Saturday's dire home loss to relegation-threatened Hull City, the Lions go into tonight's home fixture with Cardiff City badly in need of a win.

It's a hard truth in football that whilst it's wonderful to work toward a long-term plan, you have to keep your focus on the next match and the three invaluable points that are at stake.

It's another harsh fact that if you don't create and score goals, then it's all too easy in the highly competitive Championship to find yourself drawn into a dogfight to stay out of League One.

A scrap that we look ill-equipped to handle judging by Saturday's poor showing.

New manager Alex Neil, working in tandem with director of football Steve Gallen, must find a way for Millwall to grind out toward the magic 50-point mark that traditionally means Championship safety.

Otherwise there's every danger that Lions' money will have to be spent rebuilding from the third tier of English football.

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