Alex Grace’s big-match verdict on Millwall 0 Bristol City 3 – FA Cup exit can be a blessing in disguise for Lions ahead of pivotal Championship fixture schedule

BY ALEX GRACE

Could Millwall’s FA Cup exit be a blessing in disguise? We all knew as soon as we saw the teamsheet on Saturday that the Lions’ attentions were going to be on tomorrow night’s match with Watford.

Last Wednesday’s gruelling effort at Huddersfield brought the Lions a much-needed win after a recent run of form that has seen them slide too close for comfort to the bottom three.

I was not surprised to see Gary Rowett make eight changes against Bristol City ahead of crunch Championship fixtures against the Hornets and then another long away trip at Cardiff looming on Saturday.

In truth the 3-0 scoreline on Saturday did not reflect the 90 minutes. For the opening 30 minutes, in particular, the Lions dominated. They came out of the traps looking confident after Wednesday’s success and were on the front foot in what was a scrappy opening 10-minute period.

Mason Bennett, back in the starting line-up, forced Max O’Leary into a smart stop. Milwall continued to create chances and Troy Parrott – still looking to break his duck for the Lions – shot on the turn after being set up by Ken Zohore but again O’Leary was there to stop it.

Ryan Leoanrd was back in his more familiar role as a central midfielder and he provided O’Leary’s next test with a powerful drive from just inside the box.

Millwall were the architects of their own downfall though. A delightful pass into the area found Famara Diedhiou who was then brought down by Frank Fielding and Tony Harrington had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Diedhiou, sent off when the two sides met in the league in December, stepped up and converted the spot kick.

Millwall did respond well. Ben Thompson saw an effort cleared off the line by the Robins defence as the hosts pursued an equaliser.

Alex Pearce and Tom Bradshaw both went close in the second half before the visitors doubled their lead, in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Nakhi Wells’ free-kick deflected off the Millwall wall and wrongfooted a helpless Fielding.

Wells scoring against Millwall, you would be forgiven for thinking you’ve heard that before. You have. That was the forward’s sixth career goal against the Lions in nine games.

It killed the game as a tie and City sealed progression to the last 16 with a third goal. Antoine Semenyo latched on to Wells’ excellent pass and finished easily past the onrushing Fielding.

It means that for the second season in a row Millwall exit the FA Cup at the fourth round stage but as I asked earlier on, could this be a blessing in disguise? Yes, it could be. The Lions are still catching up with the postponements of the Bournemouth and Watford games over Christmas due to Covid-19. Had they won this tie, the reward would have been another long away trip to Yorkshire on a midweek night.

The upcoming schedule is punishing – four games in 10 days for Rowett’s men. Had there been progression in the competition then the fifth round tie would have taken place on either February 9 or 10. Instead of competing in the fifth round, Millwall will get a full week to prepare for their game against promotion-chasing Reading on the February 13.

The Lions have won just four of their last 24 games at The Den, one of those was against League Two Cheltenham in the EFL Cup. You have to go back to the 2005-06 season for the last time the Lions had only won one home league game by the new year, and it ended in relegation to League One. For a side that have been so strong at home for a number of seasons, this is rightly something that is concerning the fanbase.

The other problem that Saturday presented or highlighted is the need for Millwall to strengthen. There were a number of players who were given a chance to impress and didn’t take it. Although the pandemic is making it hard in this transfer window to see much activity, you get the feeling that some of those who didn’t take their chance will be looking for new clubs in the summer.

Tonight’s match is key. After Rowett made the number of changes he did for Saturday, you would expect to see a refreshed and high-intensity performance like we saw at Huddersfield.

Watford are not great travellers, with just three wins and seven goals away from Vicarage Road this season. A Millwall win would be the perfect outcome before going to a Cardiff side who recently parted company with former Lions boss Neil Harris after six straight defeats.

BEST MOMENT
Mason Bennett, on his return to the side, looked agile and could have had the perfect recall. His effort forcing a strong save from Robins keeper Max O’Leary.

STAR MAN
Nakhi Wells. The former Huddersfield man scored the second goal which killed the tie and assisted the third goal, keeping up his impressive record against the Lions.