Millwall fan review
A game full of opportunity for us to make a mark and stamp our authority on the positive start we made last week but we were torn to shreds by a team playing simple joined up football.
We started well. We were pushing forward and we got our reward early on with a penalty. A long shot was parried by the keeper, the ball ran loose, Gregory was on it like a flash and the keeper made contact and missed the ball and it was a penalty all ends up. Up steps Gregory, full of confidence and hit it to the keepers left, just like last week, but not high enough and the keeper pushed it away. It was a reprieve for them and they made us pay.
The were pushing the ball around in 15 yards triangles and we were running around with our tongues hanging out. From such a move their 9 looks up and hits it over Forde's head from 35 yards and they are one up. They quickly suss that we are all about the long ball game and they have a giant at 5 and another CB similar and so when they get the ball they can knock it around in midfield with ease. They also recognise that Beevers is a weakness and sweep the ball out to their right winger who goes around Beevers with ease and beats Forde at the near post. 2-0.
We huff and puff but continue with our tactics and push up. They realise that we are vulnerable with our high line, thread it through to their rushing 9 and he runs on to pop it past Forde for 3-0. Their passing game is in direct contrast to our long ball stuff. We claw our way back and Williams hits a post but we are clutching at straws.,the HT whistle comes to up rescue.
Chopper gives them a night rollicking in the dressing room and we come out full of purpose. Off goes Beevers and Martin (who was shocking) and one comes Thompson and Ferguson. The second half was better and we tried to get it wide to Fred and Ferguson and created some chances. Morison had a half decent chance and Gregory had two but neither crossed the line. They carried on with their passing game and a slick one two in our box put their 11 in and he smashed it past Forde to complete our misery.
Did anyone play well and what changes should be made for Tuesday? The only ones to come out with any credit were Morison, Fred in patches and Upson second half who was reasonable. Williams was off the pace, Webster did not play well, Cummings gave their bloke too much space and Gregory fought hard but missed the pen which started off a dismal set of consequences. Martin was rubbish and Forde should have been alert to stop the lob and been better at his near post. Wholesale changes are needed for Tuesday to show that this is just not good enough. They just ran harder, played in 15 yard triangles, had better touch and vision and capitalised on the opportunities we gave them.
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