Four takeaways from Millwall’s 1-0 loss at Boro – defensive issues to contend with and attacking reinforcements required
Millwall slipped out of the Championship play-off places after falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions were undone by a 54th-minute strike from former Brentford striker Marcus Forss and were unable to find a response in the closing stages.
Here are Daniel Marsh’s four takeaways from the match.
LIONS LEAVE SIX-POINTER EMPTY-HANDED
Millwall were level on points and just one place behind Middlesbrough ahead of Saturday’s meeting at The Riverside. On paper, it was the proverbial six-pointer – a match the Lions couldn’t afford to lose rather than one they had to win.
On the basis of play in the first half, Millwall can have few complaints about the end result. They did manage to keep Middlesbrough at bay but the breakthrough felt like it was coming long before Forss swept past George Long at the start of the second half, with the hosts on top.
Millwall did have some joy on the transition after the break but failed to craft many clearcut chances as they chased the game.
Beforehand, it felt like this game was always likely to be a cagey affair between two teams who had aspirations of breaking away from the rest of the play-off pack but also harboured fears of losing ground on those around them. Unfortunately for Millwall, it proved to be a case of the latter.
DEFENSIVE PROBLEMS
Only Burnley and Sheffield United have a better defensive record than Millwall this season, but the Lions do have problems to solve at the back before they travel to Cardiff next weekend.
Jake Cooper was withdrawn pretty much instantly after Middlesbrough’s goal after landing awkwardly. He attempted to soldier on but never looked comfortable and was unable to prevent Forss from firing home the hosts’ goal. In hindsight, perhaps he should have left the pitch a few minutes earlier as his mobility appeared to be restricted.
Boro’s goal was another moment Murray Wallace will want to forget. Wallace was immense last term and was deservedly crowned as the club’s Player of the Year, but the Scotsman has looked well off the pace in recent weeks.
He endured another rough afternoon at The Riverside, where little seemed to come off for him. Unfortunately, it feels as though Rowett could soon have a decision to make if Wallace is unable to catch a break in the coming weeks.
WIDE OF THE MARK
It’s not exactly a secret that the Lions are scouring the market for attacking reinforcements – and the sooner they can source them the better.
Millwall currently have a dearth of authentic options capable of thriving on the flanks; George Honeyman and Andreas Voglsammer have had moments filling in since the Lions changed shape but those moments have really been few and far between. Both failed to make an impact at the Riverside.
Tyler Burey has also blown hot and cold and while Romain Esse caught the eye again after being introduced off the bench, it would be unfair to burden the 17-year-old with too much responsibility at this stage.
If Millwall are really going to kick on in this shape, which has served them so well over the past couple of months, then they really need to add some pace and width to their current squad.
NO NEED TO PANIC
Although Millwall fans are eager for the club to get moving in the transfer market, the Lions are still in a great position. But it’s hard to shake the feeling that they will come up short again in the play-off race if they don’t get their January recruitment right.
Millwall were already light on attacking options before Isaac Olaofe and Benik Afobe were allowed to leave SE16 and their lack of depth on the bench was evident again against Middlesbrough, with Esse the pick of the Lions substitutes.
Realistically, Millwall are never going to have the same depth as a team like Middlesbrough at this level, but they do need more options in the final third if they are to take that next step. It feels like the Lions are closer than ever to bridging that gap this year, but much will hinge on what they can do between now and the end of the month.
With a daunting run of fixtures, February looks like it could be the defining month in Millwall’s season. But arguably, the fortnight before that run is shaping up to be even bigger.