Tuesday night’s fixtures can have huge say on Championship play-off chase – as Millwall firmly back in the mix

HULL CITY  0
MILLWALL 1
Leonard 2

BY ALEX GRACE AT THE KCOM STADIUM

Just when we thought it was all over, there is fresh hope once again that Millwall could still make the play-offs.

Back-to-back defeats for former Millwall manager Neil Harris and his Cardiff City side has left the chase for sixth spot wide open. Tuesday’s round of fixtures will be the most crucial yet and could be the most decisive in this tightest of battles for the final place.

Cardiff are at home to Derby, Swansea host Nottingham Forest, Millwall welcome Blackburn and Preston travel to Brentford. By full-time tonight as many of four of those teams could be eliminated from the running.

Saturday’s win at the KCOM Stadium propelled Millwall back into the picture, following Wednesday’s defeat against Middlesbrough and fortune remained on their side after Preston and Blackburn both drew, while Cardiff and Derby were beaten.

Lions chief Gary Rowett made five changes to the side that were beaten by Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough as Billy Mitchell, Shane Ferguson, Ryan Leonard, Mason Bennett and Tom Bradshaw all returned to the starting line-up.

Bennett returned after missing the two previous games due to a hip injury, Billy Mitchell made his first league start, replacing Mahlon Romeo who was out with a groin injury.

Murray Wallace was only fit enough for the bench, so Shane Ferguson replaced him at left-wing back. Tom Bradshaw came in for top-scorer Matt Smith up front and Ryan Leonard partnered Ryan Woods in midfield with both Shaun Williams and Ben Thompson on the bench.

Ryan Leonard has had his critics since his arrival at Millwall, but some perhaps have been a little bit harsh. Saturday was one of his best performances in a Millwall shirt and it was capped off by a superb 30-yard effort that sealed all three points. He received the ball from Jake Cooper and took one look before blasting the ball past George Long It was just his third goal for the club since his arrival in the summer of 2018.

The Lions started on the front foot, something that since the restart they haven’t managed to do an awful lot. The only goal of the game coming inside the opening 90 seconds, the second time in three years that Millwall have scored early at the KCOM Stadium. Back in 2018, George Saville struck in the opening minute as Millwall secured a 2-1 win when they were again chasing a play-off spot in the Championship.

Millwall would have been disappointed not to have extend their lead after seven minutes. Jed Wallace’s cross was missed by Mason Bennett, Tom Bradshaw picked up the second ball but his effort was over the bar.

Hull reminded Millwall that they were present in the game three minutes later, George Bowler raced through one-one with Bartosz Bialkowski and forced the Lions stopper into his first save of the match.

Hull have only won once since New Year’s Day and it’s clear to see why, they put no pressure on Millwall and it allowed the likes of Ryan Woods so much time to spray the ball around and find the likes of Mitchell and Ferguson, who were continually in advanced positions.

They almost got caught out again in the 11th minute. Ferguson reached the byline and pulled the ball back delightfully for Mitchell, who was unable to keep his shot down.
Hull’s biggest threat was Malik Wilks, he robbed Shaun Hutchinson of possession, charged through on goal but again Bialkowski was able to make a comfortable save.

Three minutes later Alex Pearce was alert on the goal line to head away Alex MacDonald’s header which looked to be dropping in.

Shaun Hutchinson would have been disappointed he didn’t convert Jed Wallace’s corner, heading wide at the far post.

Millwall had another chance just before the half time interval. Tom Bradshaw did well in the box to hold up the ball and teed up Leonard, who was breaking into the box, but his shot was well saved by City keeper Long.

Bradshaw will feel he should have ended his 16-game wait for a league goal at the start of the second half. Jed Wallace broke down the wing and crossed the ball for the striker but instead of putting his foot through the ball the former Barnsley striker opted for a side-footed effort that went harmlessly over the bar.

Hull’s best chance of the game arrived in the 84th minute. It fell to teenager Keane Lewis-Potter, but when things are going against you like they have been for the Tigers they really do go against you and the young substitute scuffed his effort and it went harmlessly through to Bialkowski.

Last season the Lions managed a total of 48 goals, this season with three games still to play they have only managed one more goal. The final third is where Rowett needs to strengthen in the summer if Millwall are to progress to next season.

The emergence of Mitchell since the lockdown has been a sight that many Millwall fans will be delighted to see. One of their own breaking into the first team. It was a very successful first league start for the academy product. A 100 per cent pass accuracy from 26 passes should not be overlooked. Rowett will be confident that if he is to be without Romeo for a period of time, that Mitchell will be more than able to deputise.

The goalkeeping department was a huge problem for Millwall last season. Jordan Archer, Ben Amos and David Martin all had spells as the number one last season as consistency at the back could not be found. Bialkowski has been brilliant for Millwall this season and has the joint most clean sheets in the Championship with 15. A consistent top performer for Millwall since he made his debut against Preston just before half-time in the opening game of the season.

Rowett has transformed Millwall’s away form since his arrival in October, the Lions have won seven away games since then and six of those have been clean sheets.

Millwall have won three of their last four games away from home and have kept four successive clean sheets on the road. In their last 10 away games Millwall have conceded just five goals. A run that stretches all the way back to Boxing Day.

You would say if Millwall can replicate this form at The Den they have a huge chance to steal that sixth spot.

Millwall; (3-4-3) Bialkowski 6, Hutchinson 7, Pearce 7, Cooper 7, Mitchell 7 (Williams 83), Woods 7, Leonard 7, Ferguson 7 ( M Wallace 83), J Wallace 6 (Thompson 90), Bennett 6 (Skalak 66 6), Bradshaw 6 (Smith 90) Not used: Steele, Muller, Mahoney, Molumby.