Millwall’s heavy loss at Coventry City is out of character – and a sad way for Shaun Williams to sign off after sterling service

BY ALEX GRACE

It’s certainly not the way that many were expecting it to end. To say Saturday’s 6-1 drubbing at Coventry was out of character for Millwall is an understatement.

In fact, it’s the first time the Lions have conceded six goals in a league game since that dark Boxing Day afternoon at Norwich City in December 2014 – which, ironically, was also a 6-1 defeat.

The Lions were on the ropes early on at St Andrews as the exciting Callum O’Hare, who tore them to shreds at The Den in January, had given a warning when he dragged a shot wide of the far post. They didn’t heed that warning. The 23 year-old was involved with the hosts’ opening goal. His work down the left hand side was rewarded as Jordan Shipley, who was not closed down, curled an effort in off the post as the hosts deservedly moved in front.

Tom Bradshaw, who was handed his third consecutive start, combined well with Player of the Season runner-up Jed Wallace and only the post denied him a second goal in as many games, his stunning backheel coming back off the base of the woodwork.

That came during a decent spell for Rowett’s men, with Mahlon Romeo and Mason Bennett both going close. Bennett had a golden chance to level it up, Wallace’s perfect cross found the former Derby man but he got the timing of his jump all wrong, meaning his header failed to trouble Marosi from 12 yards. Once again the final third, as it has been on so many occasions this season, was Millwall’s weak spot.

All that work was undone just before the break as Ryan Woods played himself and Bart Bialkowski into trouble, forcing the Lions to concede a corner. It was from the second corner that brought the hosts’ second goal. Kyle McFadzen’s brilliant finish from inside the area ensured a two-goal advantage for the Sky Blues at the break.

Millwall certainly saved their worst half of the season for the end. McFadzean turned Scott Malone’s cross into his own net to get the Lions on the scoresheet but then came the implosion that no one saw coming. Dominic Hyam pounced on a loose ball after Maikel Kieftenbeld had blocked Michael Rose’s header to make it 3-1. That soon became 4-1. O’Hare claimed a deserved goal with Shipley returning the favour from the first half.

Bialkowksi was crowned Millwall’s Player of the Season last week and made a stunning save to deny O’Hare a second but could do nothing to prevent Matty James from adding a fifth from no distance at all. The embarrassment was capped off for Rowett’s men as Tyler Walker added a sixth. Bialkowski made an outstanding reaction save to prevent Shaun Williams scoring an own goal on his Millwall farewell.

It is a very sad way for Williams’ Millwall career to end. The Republic of Ireland international’s departure was confirmed by Gary Rowett after the game and he did play 45 minutes and captained the side for the final time. He leaves after seven and a half years as a Lion after being signed by Ian Holloway in January 2014 and it’s safe to say he’s seen a lot in that time. Three managers, two play-off finals, two FA Cup quarter finals, one promotion and a relegation. He played the full 90 minutes in the 2017 final and played a crucial role, including the cross that led to Lee Gregory’s flicked header to Steve Morison who scored the winning goal against Bradford that sealed promotion back to the Championship.

Frank Fielding’s exit was also announced post-game by Rowett with the former Bristol City man limited to just three appearances in his two year spell. Things could have been very different for the 33-year-old had he not picked up a calf injury 42 minutes into his debut against Preston in August 2019.

Don’t expect those two to be the only departures this summer, the likes of Matt Smith and club skipper Alex Pearce’s deals are due to expire in a few weeks time with decisions still to be made about their futures.

Shane Ferguson is also due to be a free agent this summer, the Northern Irish International has seen this season cut short by injury but has made 217 appearances for the Lions. He is quite far down the pecking order, so it looks like he may also be moving on.

There is a very good nucleus of players at Rowett’s disposal for next season but this defeat – and the manner of it – will give the Millwall boss those final ideas over who needs to move on and who needs to come in to spearhead a play-off challenge next season.

To finish in the top half in consecutive Championship seasons is no mean feat – it’s something Millwall have failed to manage since 2005.

There has been a lot to deal with in the last eight months for this group, at one stage the entire coaching staff was isolating due to Covid-19. Eight first-teamers tested positive over Christmas, forcing the festive schedule to be postponed.

STAR MAN
Callum O’Hare. Caused the visitors all types of problems.

BEST MOMENT
Bart Bialkowski’s stunning reaction save to prevent Shaun WIlliams’ scoring an own goal.