Alex Grace’s four takeaways from Millwall’s 1-0 defeat at Cardiff – Lions just above the drop zone heading into a crucial stage of the season
Millwall were narrowly beaten by Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon. The defeat came as another frustrating day for Millwall, ending in a third defeat in four Championship games. It leaves the Lions in a precarious position just two points above the bottom three heading into a crucial period of the season.
Dimitrios Goutas’ header in the 79th minute from a Joe Ralls corner was enough to seal victory in a rather drab encounter.
Here are Alex Grace’s four takeaways from the disappointing result in South Wales.
ANOTHER DEFEAT AS TABLE BEGINS TO MAKE UNCOMFORTABLE READING
The Lions have been on an alarming slide down the league table. Despite some positive performances and bright periods in games it is still just one win since Joe Edwards was appointed. The Lions have had nine games since Gary Rowett left the club in October and managed to win just one. That being Edwards’ first game in charge – the 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
As much as we have seen some positive moments the results have not followed. Take out the performance against Ipswich and the second half against Coventry, and the level of performance from the Lions has not been bad. There have, of course, been a few individual mistakes that have caused problems and cost goals. They need to be snuffed out, and that will happen as players come back into form, but it needs to happen quickly, as one more defeat could well end up with Milwall in the bottom three.
Another concern for the Lions head coach is that previously the clubs in the bottom three were not picking up points that have changed over recent game weeks. QPR have now won three in a row while Sheffield Wednesday have won back-to-back games, and suddenly, the gap to the relegation places is just two points. It’s clear this is going to be a very different season for the Lions than what we have all been used to for the last four seasons.
SEASON DEFINING RUN COMING UP
Millwall’s season will be defined over their next four games. Leicester on Wednesday night, in some ways, can be classed as a free hit. It’s a game in which they will not be expected to win and all the pressure will be on their hosts. However, the Lions have won five of their last eight against the 2016 Premier League champions. However, this will be a different beast they face on Wednesday night. This is a side that have the most points at this stage of a Championship season than any other side in history. The task that faces Millwall on Wednesday night is certainly a daunting one.
After that, the Lions really do have the chance to pick up some points. They face Huddersfield and Stoke, two sides that are both out of form currently. The Potters have just parted ways with Alex Neil after a poor run of form despite heavy investment into the side over the course of the summer. Huddersfield have also struggled, Darren Moore has not been able to pull the Yorkshire side away from the bottom three despite some improved performances. Boxing day see’s a resurgent QPR travel to SE16 for a crunch London derby, they could well come into that contest above their hosts.
This is undoubtedly the biggest period of Millwall’s season. They need a spark and this run of fixtures is the perfect chance for it.
PLAYERS RETURNING
Edwards was without some key players at Cardiff. Jake Cooper and George Saville, two that have been key players in the side since his arrival were both out suspended but will both be back for the trip to the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night.
It has been a struggle for Millwall this season in terms of players missing, to my recollection in the 20 games played so far this season, I don’t think there has been one game in which there has been a full squad to choose from. However, players are coming back. Ryan Leonard has played the last two games. Matija Sarkic is back – plus Allan Campbell is back as well. Having options is going to be so important with three games in six days over the Christmas period.
Edwards has already said that there will not be major additions to the squad in January, possibly a few loans. The problem there is Millwall’s depth is not as great as it is. Defensive cover will be the main area that the head coach will want to address. Also, getting the best from his attacking players will be another top priority, we have seen that should Kevin Nisbet get the chances he will take them. Having someone who can provide the chances is turning out to be the hardest thing at the moment.
SARKIC RETURNS
Matija Sarkic has been missing for a period of time for Millwall and his injury record is a slight concern for a player that cost a bit of money to bring in. Some would say it was harsh on Bart Bialkokwsi to have been dropped. He did put in some very good performances and made a number of impressive stops during his period between the posts.
Questions will be asked of the former Wolves keeper Sarkic. However, most will feel he should have done better with the goal that cost Millwall a point they arguably should have got in the Welsh capital on Saturday. Let’s hope it was due to rust and lack of match fitness that contributed to that error. We saw before his layoff that he is a very competent keeper, making a penalty save at Birmingham that secured the side a share of the spoils.
Millwall certainly need their keeper to be in form for the upcoming period as they need points and can’t afford to be giving away cheap goals and points with their league position looking so precarious as the halfway point of the season approaches.
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