Millwall FC vs Ipswich Town Match Preview

[lucy]

How long is McGoldrick out? I heard six weeks then read MM hopes he can be involved against Brighton?.

[The Don]

Wasn't it that type of injury has the potential to cause a 6-8 week lay-off, but nobody knew how serious it was until confirmed by Mick today.

That was my understanding anyway.

[Bluemike]

MM has indeed said today he hopes Didsy can be available for Wednesday.

[lucy]

MM has indeed said today he hopes Didsy can be available for Wednesday.

I dunno where i read 6 Weeks then.

[superchef]

Who needs McGoldrick, when Hunt is banging them in

[Bluemike]

MM has indeed said today he hopes Didsy can be available for Wednesday.

I dunno where i read 6 Weeks then.

Hyam is supposed to be out for a few weeks.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Got back from London happy and relieved.

The day started 45 minutes before the game. Loads of Town fans on the London Bridge station and platform on which we were expecting a train to South Bermondsey. After we entered the train loads of shouts, loads of joy. Derby concedes last minute goal an lose their game !!!! Yeeeeees !!!!

Deserved win but it ought to have been far more comfortable. Got to say I'm relieved as we were served up a needless stress in the second half.
All over them in the first 20 minutes though we were lucky as Fabbrini shot wide with goal being partically all open for him. Inches wide. The best Millwall chance during whole game.

After that Noel Hunt's show began and gulf between both teams was clear to see. We were a class above them in terms of everything.
Unfortunately we switched off after second goal. Perhaps some players thought the game was already won and they didn't want to put full effort due to intensity of games in short space of time. I don't know. We paid the price for that approach as communication c*ck-up in our defence opened the path for Gueye. He scored and it seemed as if it was gonna give them a lift.

The game should have been out of sight in the first half as Noel Hunt skied the ball from close range and Murphy shot wide from angle though it was one on one with their keeper.

First 20-25 minutes of the second half was a stress for Town fans. Though we were better quality wise we hardly created anything. An equaliser was coming due to our inability to kill the game off. Needless pressure from Millwall players. Luckily for us they would lack skills. Dare to say that better opposition would have punished us.
Fortunately our defence did their job spot on and dealt well with that pressure. However it wasn't easy to watch me for me as it would have been a travesty if we had failed to win.

Freddie Sears came on with 25 minutes to go. Had a few good touches and was close to score from 20 yards but his shot was blocked by their defender. However what a nice to pass to Parr that led to our goal which FINALLY killed the game off.

2500 Town travelling party were in full voice whereas a few Millwall fans were in an melee with police.

Lee Martin was booed by Town fans after he came on but loads of them didn't probably realise our ex-one Dan Harding and ex-loanee Ricardo Fuller did play too.

There was practically nothing in final minutes. Millwall players were resigned and the only question was if we'd score another one.

As I've said a needless stress in the second half but good 3 points nonetheless. Happy Town fans after the game, Chambo did what 'he had to do' after the final whistle and happy return home.

Noel Hunt deserves MOTM award for his brace and desire. Sears excellent set up for the third goal, Bru stood out for me too as he did tend to keep the ball on the ground.

The biggest concern for me right now is a players' level of tiredness and it may catch up with us on Wednesday unless there are couple of rotations in the team. Skuse and Bishop to start Brighton game would be a perfect option.

Good away day out. Really good. Not making Brighton on Wednesday night as it's too difficult for me. Can't wait for the Rotherham day as that's my next one.

[arana peligrosa]

While it was imperative to return to winning ways after the recent setbacks, we can maybe take into consideration the opposition are a poor team and even had Norwich put six beyond them in the recent past. Other than that, they have endured defeats to many other club sides in recent weeks. (a midweek four goal loss at Bradford inclusive). Just trying to lend some perspective, but don't get me wrong, I'm obviously pleased we came away with maximum return and for the most part, our supporters endured a trouble free afternoon.

Read the match report on Those Were The Days and our support made up for one quarter of the attendance today. If Millwall really want to bring back their intimidation factor, then allowing for a greater capacity would work towards that endeavor.

Derby County's earlier setback was the perfect start although Bournemouth continue to surprise and show no sign of slowing down. Still a little frustrated (if that is the word) about the Southampton loss midweek as I think there was opportunity ahead to do something this year in the competition, but as we have only league matters to concentrate on, today was the perfect response to not only two recent defeats, but Derby slipping up also. I said recently that there are a number of winnable games coming up now as we move back into the automatic promotion places, but really, it's one game at a time for some.

[Charnwood]

Thanks for the update Mach, your reports always make interesting reading.

Sad to hear that Millwall fans haven't changed much after all these years, I thought their days of fighting amongst themselves was something of the past left behind in The Old Den, but clearly not.

At least after Wednesday's trip to Brighton the players have a 9 day break to recharge themselves, let's just hope they can lift themselves against the Seagulls who themselves may be distracted by the visit of Arsenal in Saturday's 4th Round FA Cup tie.

Hope to see you at Rotherham on 7th February.

[Bluemike]

Great report Mach thank you, I managed to see the first hour then it crashed. As you say we looked a class apart in the first half and should have been well ahead by HT. I read somewhere that Berra was still feeling the effects of a heavy knock to the head from Abdou when they scored and may have not been fully focused, thankfully we saw it through and got the win.

Kevin Bru is starting to look a real player for us isnt he, while Freddie Sears and Noel Hunt have come in and grabbed their chance already, that will give MM some food for thought in the future. Brighton on Weds will not be so easy and I would not be unhappy with a point there but we can get all Three if we are near our best. It is possible that McGoldrick will be available but will he get his place back ? Like you I hope Skuse & Bishop are available as that would freshen the team up again. Thankfully we then have a ten day break which will be a welcome thing at just the right time, some of the boys need a well earned break and it will give us a chance of getting rid of this bug that has swep[t through the squad.

All in all it is a happy Saturday again as we climb back into the automatic promotion places with another Three away points at a club that are fighting for their lives, none of these games are easy. After Brighton we have a couple of very winnable games so there is a great chance to get another little run going again. And yes bring on the Rotherham, will see you there.

[lucy]

Ipswich feature game on Football League show nice to see.

[Charnwood]

I see we're the featured game on the Football League show tonight, looking forward to watching the highlights.

[lucy]

I want to see the Third goal i missed it because people in front of me stood up

[Charnwood]

I want to see the Third goal i missed it because people in front of me stood up

... and what a well taken goal it was too with both subs linking up well.

[lucy]

Brilliant pass from Sears

[hallamblue]

MM has indeed said today he hopes Didsy can be available for Wednesday.

Yes i saw that. We'll see i guess.

[herforder]

Just a fitness issue - or something else in the offing? No sniff of any rumour regarding a move away for Didsy, so assume it's the latter. Although the BS issue - something MM has had fun with local media on - may hint at more than currently meets the eye.

[Ohiotractorboy]

Good result, always need to win the matches we are favored to win if we are to remain in the top 2. Was listening to Talk Sport on XM today, and they were talking about Ian Holloway and the brand of football he manages. They were basically saying that Millwall cant get rid of him, and it is up to Millwall players to get together and decide to start playing hard to save their season since putting on the gaffer isn't going to work at this point. Hope they do since we dont play them anymore...

[lucy]

Great result and great day out

[arana peligrosa]

Their (Millwall) House of Fun forum has gone ? Sometimes worth a look, if only for some often outrageous and colorful discussion. Guess nothing lasts forever.

[marko69]

Good result, always need to win the matches we are favored to win if we are to remain in the top 2. Was listening to Talk Sport on XM today, and they were talking about Ian Holloway and the brand of football he manages. They were basically saying that Millwall cant get rid of him, and it is up to Millwall players to get together and decide to start playing hard to save their season since putting on the gaffer isn't going to work at this point. Hope they do since we dont play them anymore...

Spot on, Ohio.

Holloway's post match words after their 4-0 defeat to Bradford summed that up perfectly. Basically couldn't believe what he was witnessing , and the players certainly weren't playing the football match that he set them out to play. At one point he said, in his south west accent, "Some of these players need to have a word with themselves!"

[Dubai Blue]

That's all very well for Holloway to say, but it's his job to be motivator, if they aren't motivated the blame lies at his door.

There is a transfer window open. Get rid of the bad eggs and pull in a few cheap but committed players and at least manage to stay up. If there are players that don't respond to him they have to be released asap.

[Dubai Blue]

Just saw the highlights. All good goals. For the second Hunt's timing when crossing the line back into play was perfect. If he had crossed back just a second before that he would have been offside surely?

Parr's finish was perfect.

[marko69]

9/10 I'd agree, Dubai, I always say the buck stops at the manager, and being a good motivator is key. Holloway is a very good motivator. But he ain't long in that job and he's probably suffering from
Slight shock at how Shyte they are responding to his instructions. I actually hope he does something decent before the window closes, for his own sake, not millwalls.

[hallamblue]

Good result, always need to win the matches we are favored to win if we are to remain in the top 2. Was listening to Talk Sport on XM today, and they were talking about Ian Holloway and the brand of football he manages. They were basically saying that Millwall cant get rid of him, and it is up to Millwall players to get together and decide to start playing hard to save their season since putting on the gaffer isn't going to work at this point. Hope they do since we dont play them anymore...

They do look to be in a bit of freefall tbh, and I dont think Millwall would be missed if they did get relegated!