Millwall deliver with four at the back as Zian Flemming moves clear at top of club’s scoring charts

Gary Rowett’s decision to stick with a four-man defence paid off as they beat Middlesbrough 2-0 this afternoon.

Zian Flemming moved clear at the top of Millwall’s goal charts this season with his double at The Den.

The former Fortuna Sittard attacker’s free-kick clipped off the base of the wall to wrongfoot keeper Zack Steffen in the fifth minute.

And Flemming calmly converted a second on 49 minutes after Jake Cooper had headed down a free-kick for the Lions’ number 10.

Millwall have won all their Championship matches this season in which they have taken the lead.

Rowett stuck with a four-man defence which he initially switched to in the 1-1 draw at Rotherham on Wednesday.

“It followed the path of a lot of our home games,” said Rowett. “Our home form has been excellent. It would’ve been very easy for me to go back to the five for the home game, because of that form, but I just felt there was enough in the Rotherham performance to try it at home.

“There were moments where it worked really well. The transitions you have got an extra couple of forwards maybe 10-15 yards higher up the pitch ready to break and break wide. We did that quite well today. That was probably Vogey’s best performance – his work-rate for the team was fantastic. And Zian with his two goals – really, really pleasing. Two different types of goals that he has scored so far which highlights his talent.

“It was a nice positive, early goal. In 10 out of 14 or 15 games this season we have let the opposition score that first goal and statistically it is then very difficult to win the game in the Championship.

“You need more than one player who goes on that [scoring] run. You need those different threats coming from all over. If you’re going to play 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-4, however you want to term it, then you need those front four attacking players to contribute in the game – with goals, assists and moments of quality.

“We created some big chances first half. That was my only disappointment, even though we were a little bit fortuitous with the first goal – to go ahead – there were a couple of big chances. Vogey with a great cross to Zian and he should probably score, do a lot better. And Bradshaw when Vogey hits an absolute rocket of a shot and the keeper spills it. Bradders should really score the rebound.

“At 1-0 you are always fearful that one thing changes the course of the game.

“Sometimes with a four you feel like you could be a little more open and leave more gaps and spaces for the opposition to run into. But we have defended really, really well.

“We looked back to that solid base that we’ve had previously, regardless of the formation. That was the same way again today. Middlesbrough, apart from crosses into the box and set-pieces, it didn’t really feel like we were under massive threat.

“When you go 2-0 up quite early, I’d like us to pass the ball a little more and get on the ball a bit more and have more control. But, out of possession, we were very controlled and kept them at arm’s length for the majority of the second half.”