Kick off 3pm at The Den Millwall - The Basics Nickname: The Lions Founded: 1885 Chairman: John Berylson Head Coach: Neil Harris (interim) The Reverse Fixture 1st November 2014- Watford 3-1 Millwall In a game designated as our remembrance matchday, there were various tributes to mark 100 years since the beginning of the First World War, including the fantastic poppy display in the Rookery. On the pitch, despite falling behind to a 12th minute Martyn Woolford strike, Watford fought back firstly through a corner routine straight off the training ground put away by Vydra. A thumping free-kick from Tozser on the stroke of half-time put Watford in front, before a sweetly struck half-volley from Munari sealed the win. A closer look at our opponents Millwall are in desperate need of some points, finding themselves in the final relegation place, 7 points off safety with 6 games to go (they do have a game in hand on the rest of the teams around them). Their form up until the last few matches had been extremely poor, losing five games on the bounce. However they now come into this game unbeaten in 3 as that losing run has been ended by 2 draws and a late win against Charlton in their last match (albeit Charlton had 10 men for the majority of the game). One of the games they drew was away against a fellow promotion hopeful in Brentford, who needed 2 very late goals to deny Millwall a win. Somewhat bizarrely, Millwall's home and away record this season is identical (W4 D6 L10). This upsurge in recent form has seemingly been down to the dismissal of simple old Hollowhead and the appointment of Neil Harris who has been in charge for the last 4 games. The former Millwall striker will be hoping to do well enough to earn an extension to his current contract which runs until the end of the season. Millwall League Progress Last Line up vs. Charlton Millwall's last game was at home to Charlton on Good Friday (due to Blackburn's involvement in an FA Cup replay on Wednesday they did not play against Millwall on Easter Monday). They named an unchanged side for the match, and there appears to be little reason for the line-up to be altered after the team secured their first win in 10. However, winger Magaye Gueye, who came off the bench to score the equaliser will be hoping to have made enough of an impact to earn a start. Statistically, Millwall have a poor record at both ends of the pitch. Their attack is one of the very worst in the league, with just 35 goals in 40 games. Only already relegated Blackpool have scored less. They have also failed to score in 37% of their games. Their top scorer, striker Lee Gregory who signed in the summer from non-league Halifax, has only hit the net 6 times (in 33 outings in the league). In comparison Watford have 4 different players with a far superior record this season. Their defence is equally terrible; with 65 goals conceded it is the 4th worst in the league (only Blackpool, Fulham and Huddersfield have worse records). However, they have managed to keep 13 clean sheets so far which is actually a better record than Watford's 12. Millwall have also failed to win any of their other games against the top 8 teams this season. Lee Gregory in action for Millwall Watford Team News Abdi was back on the bench on Monday, in a Watford squad for the first time since coming off early with a hamstring injury against Reading on 14th March. Due to the way Watford ruthlessly dispatched of 'Boro he fortunately did not have to be risked, but with a weeks training he should hopefully be fit enough to start at the Den. Forestieri has missed the last few games with a knee injury so at best he can only hope for a place on the bench. Cathcart came off after an hour in the last match, but it's unclear whether this was tactical or due to injury. Motta returns from suspension. Ekstrand and Murray are long term absentees. My predicted line-up: Gomes Motta Cathcart Angella Hoban Watson Tozser Guedioura Abdi Ighalo Deeney Subs: Bond, Connolly, Munari, Layun, Parades, Anya, Vydra Final Thoughts With 5 games to go, none of the top 8 left to play, and the top of the table as tight as ever, every game is now one we should and must win. With Norwich only above us in the automatic places by 2 goals, a nice thumping victory would be very nice as it could come down to goal difference. However, the most important thing is to win and get the 3 points. After the great game against Middlesbrough and players like Abdi coming back from injury at the right time, we have to now push on and ensure we don't buckle under the pressure of the final run in. At the time of writing there are less than 300 tickets left in the away end out of an allocation of 2,900, so the fans should continue to back the team in good number and create a good atmosphere as we have done in the last 2 games. I’m going to predict a 2-0 win for the Hornets, Deeney and Ighalo with the goals. Also worth noting is that this game will be the featured game on the Football League Show. Finally, I wish a safe journey to anyone travelling up to watch the game!
Reading all of that, particularly the recent up turn in form may make this game tougher than it seems.
Two draws and a last gasp win against ten man Charlton? They're a league one side, with league one players - we should beat them. Saying that I remember the Peterboro game under Zola...
Good write up Matt. No easy games especially at this stage of the season. They've had a bit of an upturn in fortunes recently but they are still desperate for points and every game is must win for them which suits us down to the ground. I would Deeney and Vydra for this one as pace could be very useful. Maybe all 3 if Abdi or FF are still not fit although I presume Abdi will be fine as he was on the bench Monday. Can't see anything but an away win in what is, on paper, our easiest game left this season. Good day out this so hopefully the last 200-300 get sold over the next couple of days as Millwall away is not the place it used to be especially if going by train.
Clearly we should win this comfortably. Not being cocky or arrogant, just a statement of fact. And I think we will.
Having finally broken the curse of never beating sides above us, it'd be a horrible irony if the very next match we then blew our excellent record against the bottom ones! I don't think we will though. There's a steely determination about us at the moment, a really commendable business-like approach, we're so close to glory. Not expecting an easy ride on Saturday but fully confident of victory. Abdi should be back too, which is a bonus. I know they're not much liked on our forum but personally I love Bmouth getting all the media attention, the 'plucky underdogs heading for the PL' line. When we both go up, I'll love them getting all the attention out of the promoted sides next season too. Takes us out of the spotlight and lets us go quietly about our business, as we're doing right now.
My only slight fear is that we think we can win it just by turning up. Will Joka, Deeney, the fans, the new found professionalism allow that to happen? Doubt it. Comfortable 4-0 win for the Orns in the sarf Landun sunshine. Av it you slaaaaaaaag.
All current suspended players in the Championship (last number indicates number of games). Wordsworth is on loan from Ipswich. Paul Robinson Birmingham City F C 06.04.2015 11.04.2015 1 Gordon Greer Brighton & Hove Albion 03.04.2015 10.04.2015 2 Anthony Wordsworth Crawley Town 03.04.2015 11.04.2015 2 William Hughes Derby County 06.04.2015 14.04.2015 2 Rodolph Austin Leeds United AFC 04.04.2015 14.04.2015 3 Grant Leadbitter Middlesbrough 06.04.2015 14.04.2015 2 Bradley Johnson Norwich City 06.04.2015 14.04.2015 2 Gary Gardner Nottingham Forest 03.04.2015 11.04.2015 2 Craig Morgan Rotherham United 03.04.2015 11.04.2015 2
Irony like that will comfort me if we lose. Gives the game a sense of inevitability and makes me feel like we were the victim of fate rather than we just royally buggered it up.
Bradley Johnson out for 2 games!? Love that! He's won their past two games. Leadbitter is M'Boro's most important player. Will Hughes is Derby's most important player. Very happy seeing that!
I only mentioned it because fate can be like that! Like when you're strong at home and rubbish away..and then you win an away game..only to lose the next one at home!!!
The guy to his left in the all-grey tracksuit with the diamond stud ear-ring who is clearly about to yell a word beginning with 'F' is a visual epitome of Millwall fans of auld.
He runs a dry-cleaners, busy that morning of the match so had to take his shirt out of the "to do " bag
You may be correct! If anyone has evidence that 'the gentleman' is speaking latin then I am convinced.
I've got no time for this game, let's wrack up the GD then move onto Forest. None of this 'tough game' cliche.
We should concede a maximum of one & should score at least 2. No ******* about please Watford, get it done.
This should be a comfrotable win and the chance to improve our GD which might be the difference between play-offs and automatic.
It's not just him though, is it? It's the total make-up of the photo: The sunglass-wearing 'packed in the fighting years ago... unless we get Chelsea in the cup' casual granddad type on the left. The two guys unashamedly strutting their tracksuits. The only smile in The Den wearing a shirt. The sad blonde, her angry boyfriend. The earring wearing, proverbial spouting football fan. The brown kid. And then, him! I love The Den. Always such a happy place to go.
No pay on the day so get in quick if you still want to go: http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/150411-millwall-ticket-update-2385650.aspx
