I have just seen Millwall come from behind at London Road to beat Peterbrough 2-1. A performance that couldn't be anymore different from the opening game of the season.
The lions 2-1 defeat at the hands of Blackpool was what I was expecting, But not the performance. The first half saw the majority of the chances fall the lions way,But yet again one chance one goal for Blackpool. They were slow going forward. Whereas Blackpool kept the ball for fun,The defence was solid and having one of the finest youngsters in the league with Thomas Ince. Plus KJ's tendency to play players out of positions didn't help with defenders Scott Malone and Shane Lowry playing unnatural positions, leaving the lions exposed down the left wing.
Whereas the game against the Posh couldn't be more different. Yes the lions did go one nil down, Thanks to a good goal from George Boyd. But that was the only time we was put under pressure in the first half. With the lions missing chance after chance it looked like it would the Same as usual, But a volley from Scott Malone was just deserved.
The second half was basically a attacking onslaught from the lions. With good play from Keogh led to a great finish from Darius Henderson. Some lions fans saying we should get rid, No chance. If he plays like he did last night, we'll see another 20 goals, Plus his partnership Keogh took a turn in the right direction at P'boro
One of the highlights of the night was the performance of Scott Malone, Due to Keogh pushing in to support Henderson, Malone was basically covering 2 positions for 90 mins, which he done with ease, Plus what a finish for his goal, Kenny Jackett may have just found another gem of a player.
The game at London Road also saw a change in formation. From a rigid 4-4-2 against Blackpool to a more expansive 4-3-3 which would move go 4-5-1 in defending. This also saw a change in play, Their was a change in play aswell. No long ball was used instead it was fast passing football, KJ footballing "revolution" in style of play may be working.
From the two games we got exactly what I'm expecting. A defeat to Blackpool and coming away with 3 points at p'boro. Plus the lions record of only 3 away defeats in 2012 is always positive.
Next up is Sheffield Wednesday, A strong attacking team on a high after promotion and have carried on their form after last seasons success. And I would happily take a draw from this game.
Two games in and place are bottom and the Lions are mid-table, I'm sure we would all take that at the end of the season !
COYL
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Saturday 18 August 2012
Same old reasons&excuses as Ince strikes to sink Lions
The new domestic season is now here, Majority of 'Wall fans went into todays game with somewhat optimism. Hope evaporated quickly today didn't it?
An average performance against Blackpool had downed the mood somewhat for Lions fans as Millwall lost 2-0 thanks to two goals from Thomas Ince.
The first half was relatively okay for the lions and the two best chances fell to them, First with a Danny Shittu header being cleared off the line for a corner and then good play from Liam Trotter saw Andy Keogh go through, Only to see his half volley saved by Matt Gilks. Plus Josh Wright hit one of his trademark volleys that went just wide.
It then became the same old story for the lions as Blackpool's first meaningful attack came to fruition as Thomas Ince cut back and ram into the area and fired across Maik Taylor to make it one nil.
The 2nd half brought a change as Shittu came off for Dunne, but to be honest Shittu was flagging after around 20 minutes, And to make it worse Jack Smith went off injured, Which saw Malone pushes back to Left back. Let's be honest Malone was useless at left wing, And for Chris Taylor being left out for "Tactical reasons" is stupid, you've signed him KJ so play him.
The 2nd half was basically Millwall getting forward,Blackpool clear, and repeat for about 45 minutes. The nail in the coffin for Millwall was confirmed when Thomas Ince beat the offside trap and the attention of Shane Lowry to double his tally for the game, 2 nil and it was game over.
Their we're some positives from the game, Josh Wright had a excellent game, Despite the first half miss Keogh had a good game. But their were to many players having a off day. Malone,Henderson,Henry. And Trotter was so unseen the kit he wore today won't even need a wash.
Despite this, we have just lost to the losing play-off finalists who have one of the finest young talents in the league, they were good at going forward and their defence was sound. I'm still positive about the new season and can defiantly see us returning from London Eoad on Tuesday with 3 points.
COYL
Wednesday 15 August 2012
New season, same old problems
New season, same old reasons and excuses. Millwall have just lost on penalties to Crawley in the League Cup, And the main reason, Poor,Poor mistakes and not taken chances, sounds familiar doesn't it lions fans?
The game started off poorly for the lions, And Crawley took advantage by capitalising on poor Millwall defending for Hope Akpan make it one nil. Millwall pushed on then and and gained an equaliser from a Darren Ward header. The game went on and one or two weak points were being shown. New signing Scott Malone looked shaky and nervous at Left back, Plus some players looked like they thought it was another pre season game, no urgency in play.
Second half Millwall started to find there way even more in the match, But Crawley took the lead with Nicky Adams with a good strike from the edge of the box. Shaun Batt was brought on to put some pace in the team, And it seemed to work as the Lions looked more effective going upfront. Batt was everything that Henderson wasn't. Strong,eager, And putting in effort.
Hendo looked like his head was elsewhere, Lazy I'm the game and missed 2 easy one on ones and slotted them wide. Batt was rewarded with a great strike to take it to extra time, His first goal since the injury, And nobody deserves the goal more. Plus the formation didn't help, With Abdou and Trotter, The attacking midfielder as holding midfield, And right winger Liam Feeney in centre midfield, Yes Jackett wants 'Wall to play attacking quick passing football as the same as, For example Swansea, But players in the wrong position don't help, Plus ironically, 5 midfielders used but their was massive gaps for Crawleys' attack to exploit.
One of the positives of the game was the subs, Shaun Batt most likely earned himself man of the match with that performance. And Danny Shittu, Making his second lions debut, Did his chances of a starting place at all. Good solid performance from him. He also managed to help distract Crawley striker Akinde from finishing the game. Akinde broke through the offside trap for a one on one with Taylor, Shittu stormed back and barged into the striker, falling in the process, This put off Akinde enough just enough for him to blaze it over the bar. A very lucky escape. Shittu by name, But the name surely doesn't match the player.
The team played was most likely our strongest bar Andy Keogh, who was on international duty. But I could see changes for Saturdays championship opener against Blackpool. Espically in a change in formation from 4-2-3-1 to the more conventional 4-4-2 with two out and out strikers.
My team for Blackpool.
M Taylor
Smith, Shittu, Lowry, Malone
Batt, Trotter, Abdou, C Taylor
Henderson Keogh
And hopefully a better performance, Quicker play, more pressing and TAKE YOUR CHANCES,
But Oh-well, it's only the cup, not important is it? Roll on Saturday
COYL.
The game started off poorly for the lions, And Crawley took advantage by capitalising on poor Millwall defending for Hope Akpan make it one nil. Millwall pushed on then and and gained an equaliser from a Darren Ward header. The game went on and one or two weak points were being shown. New signing Scott Malone looked shaky and nervous at Left back, Plus some players looked like they thought it was another pre season game, no urgency in play.
Second half Millwall started to find there way even more in the match, But Crawley took the lead with Nicky Adams with a good strike from the edge of the box. Shaun Batt was brought on to put some pace in the team, And it seemed to work as the Lions looked more effective going upfront. Batt was everything that Henderson wasn't. Strong,eager, And putting in effort.
Hendo looked like his head was elsewhere, Lazy I'm the game and missed 2 easy one on ones and slotted them wide. Batt was rewarded with a great strike to take it to extra time, His first goal since the injury, And nobody deserves the goal more. Plus the formation didn't help, With Abdou and Trotter, The attacking midfielder as holding midfield, And right winger Liam Feeney in centre midfield, Yes Jackett wants 'Wall to play attacking quick passing football as the same as, For example Swansea, But players in the wrong position don't help, Plus ironically, 5 midfielders used but their was massive gaps for Crawleys' attack to exploit.
One of the positives of the game was the subs, Shaun Batt most likely earned himself man of the match with that performance. And Danny Shittu, Making his second lions debut, Did his chances of a starting place at all. Good solid performance from him. He also managed to help distract Crawley striker Akinde from finishing the game. Akinde broke through the offside trap for a one on one with Taylor, Shittu stormed back and barged into the striker, falling in the process, This put off Akinde enough just enough for him to blaze it over the bar. A very lucky escape. Shittu by name, But the name surely doesn't match the player.
The team played was most likely our strongest bar Andy Keogh, who was on international duty. But I could see changes for Saturdays championship opener against Blackpool. Espically in a change in formation from 4-2-3-1 to the more conventional 4-4-2 with two out and out strikers.
My team for Blackpool.
M Taylor
Smith, Shittu, Lowry, Malone
Batt, Trotter, Abdou, C Taylor
Henderson Keogh
And hopefully a better performance, Quicker play, more pressing and TAKE YOUR CHANCES,
But Oh-well, it's only the cup, not important is it? Roll on Saturday
COYL.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)