Four takeaways from Millwall’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke City – a game too far for fatigued Lions

BY ALEX GRACE

Millwall saw their eight-game unbeaten run in the Championship ended with a 2-0 defeat against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Jacob Murphy ended Millwall’s run of five consecutive clean sheets as he headed home from a Lewis Baker corner after 19 minutes. Things could have been worse for the Lions before the break when Jake Cooper looked to have fouled Murphy in the box but referee John Brooks opted not to punish the Millwall skipper.

The hosts found a second goal in the 70th minute, another Baker delivery headed into his own net by George Saville to seal a first win in nine for Michael O’Neill’s side.

The Lions were afforded a chance to get back into the contest when Tom Bradshaw was fouled inside the box. However, Potters keeper Jack Bonham saved Jed Wallace’s penalty as the Lions slipped to a first defeat in nine games and are now four points off the play-offs with eight games to play.

Here are Alex Grace’s takeaways:

UNBEATEN RUN IS ENDED BUT THERE IS NO NEED TO PANIC

There was a lot of negativity in the fanbase and on social media during and after the game, but there is no need to panic. The gap increased to four points to the top six, but most sides in and around the congested play-off picture still need to face each other, meaning points will be taken, and opportunities opened up.

The Lions have the favourable run-in. They have just Bournemouth and Luton left to play of the sides around them. But as this result proves there are no guarantees in the Championship, one thing that goes against the South Londoners is that a number of the sides they will face in their run-in do not have much to play for. Swansea, Preston, Hull and Birmingham all look to be settled in mid-table, not in the battle at the bottom and not in contention for the play-offs. By the time Peterborough arrive in SE16 at the end of April, their fate may have also already been sealed. This means the onus will be on the Lions, something they often struggle with.

It makes the match at Luton after the international break all that much bigger.

A GAME TOO FAR?

It was just a game too far for this side that has continually had to keep going.

The tiredness and lack of available changes finally caught up with the Lions here. Stoke were first to all of the second balls and they looked more energetic – something Millwall could not match after what has been a hectic schedule with little room to breathe. Last Wednesday’s victory over Huddersfield was filled with energy, and it looks like they left everything they had there and could not replicate it in Stoke on Trent.

The goals they conceded were those of a tired team. Both came from set-pieces – the first from a corner. The frustrating thing for fans and the Lions’ management team would have been that they were given a warning just moments before. The previous corner caused problems in the Millwall box, ending with Murphy’s effort being cleared off the line by Danny McNamara.

There was no stopping Murphy the second time around. He got in between Billy Mitchell and George Saville and outjumped the pair to head brilliantly into the top corner.

The second goal was another demonstration of a fatigued outfit. Disorganised at another set-piece. Saville got himself the wrong side of his man and headed past his own keeper.

The international break gives everyone a chance to reset and rest up before the final push.

LIONS’ ATTACK STRUGGLES AS SUPPLY CHAINS HALTED

I have written many times this season about Millwall’s attack and the struggles it has had at times this season, and this was another demonstration of that. Stoke boss Michael O’Neill spoke of how his side did very well to close down the space and not allow Millwall’s wing-backs time and space to create attacks. This was evident. A lot of chances are created by Scott Malone and Danny McNamara being able to get forward and support those in the attacking third.

O’Neill got his tactics spot on by keeping the pair quiet. Each time they tried to get forward and create chances, they were snuffed out rather quickly. The same can be said for Jed Wallace, who was not afforded any room to create and use his trickery and pace to unlock a Stoke defence that was largely untroubled for most of the contest.

Benik Afobe’s presence was missed. Ineligible to face his parent club and without Bradshaw in the side, keeping the ball in the attacking third was difficult with no one to hold the ball up and feed to the wide man who created some brilliant opportunities against Huddersfield.

INJURED TRIO MAKE COMEBACK

Tom Bradshaw, Maikel Kieftenbeld and Sheyi Ojo all made their comebacks.

It was great to see all three of them get back on the pitch. Bradshaw won the penalty that Wallace saw saved as his comeback could be timely with the run-in.

Before his injury, the striker was on a fine run of form and had also struck up a great partnership with Benik Afobe. Should they be able to rekindle that, then there is anticipation that after three years of trying, the Lions may be able to earn the points finally, they need to break into that coveted top six.

Ojo also came on, but his introduction was at the expense of Mason Bennett. The Lions boss confirmed that he would be taken off anyway, but he had also pulled his calf, making him an early doubt for the crucial clash at Luton.

The international break will allow Shaun Hutchinson, Ryan Leonard, Ollie Burke and possibly Luke Freeman to return.