Alex Grace’s takeaways from Millwall’s 2-2 draw at Watford

Millwall are still waiting for their first win under the caretaker stewardship of Adam Barrett after they were denied all three points at Watford by a stoppage-time equaliser from the hosts. Watford had gone in front after a mixup between Lions captain Jake Cooper and goalkeeper Bartsoz Bialkowksi. 

However, Zian Flemming’s fourth goal of the season brought the Lions level before the break. Wes Harding thought he had sealed victory for Millwall in the 85th minute when he headed home George Saville’s corner, but in the first minute of stoppage time, the Lions were denied as the Hornets hit back for a share of the spoils.

Here are Alex Grace’s four takeaways from the topsy-turvy game in Hertfordshire:

MORE LOOSE DEFENDING COSTS MILLWALL DEAR AS KEEPER DEBATE REOPENS 

Millwall have been very sloppy at the back this season. But, in the last four games, the goals that they have conceded have been extremely poor – it’s seven goals conceded in that time, all of which have been avoidable. 

It’s down to being too passive and not switched on at key times. You can’t pinpoint it on one player because all of Millwall’s back four or five have made errors in these recent games. 

At Watford on Saturday, it was a similar story. Jake Cooper would have been disappointed with how he dealt with the first Hornet’s goal. Granted, Bart Bialkokwski should have done better with Edo Kayembe’s shot, but the Lions skipper should have shielded the ball and allowed the Polish stopper to smother the ball rather than trying to play his way out and concede an awful goal. 

I doubt Cooper will want to see the second goal back either, as he’s guilty of letting Mileta Rajovic break free and head home to give Watford a point. 

Another debate is that of the goalkeeping situation. Bialkokwski has been guilty of mistakes, his match sharpness is clearly not of the level it needs to be. Joe Rankin-Costello’s effort slid under him against Blackburn and he should have done better with Kayembe’s initial effort. Could it be time to bring in Connal Trueman?

AWAY UNBEATEN RUN REACHES FIVE 

Usually, Millwall struggle away from home. It is no secret that over the years, they have struggled to pick up too many points on their travels, which has left them just short of the total they have needed for a place in the top six. However, the tide may be turning. 

It’s now five games unbeaten on the road for the Lions. Four of them have been draws, but it shows they have that grit and determination not to lose – you need that in the Championship, as every single point is vital. It could be the difference between getting in the top six or not.

Millwall’s form on the road has so far been the saving grace, just one defeat away from The Den this season – the 3-1 defeat at Norwich, where the Lions were very abject. Home form has been a concern, with four defeats in seven, so picking up points on the road has been important. 

It’s also worth noting some of those away trips have not been easy. Middlesbrough and Norwich are two teams you would expect to be in the play-off mix come May, alongside Plymouth, who had one of the best home records in the EFL over the last calendar year. 

RETURN OF THE GEORGE’S

Millwall fans have had to wait until late October to see George Honeyman this season – the midfielder picked up an injury in the pre-season game at Gillingham back in July and he made his first appearance of the season against Blackburn in a cameo last Tuesday night.

He made his first start of the season at Watford and showed Millwall what they have been missing over the last couple of months. He is a tireless player, he gives everything for the cause and what he may lack in ability, he makes up for in the way he plays and the effort and determination he shows for his teammates – putting his body on the line to block or shot or a pass. 

It is also good to see George Saville back in the fold. Saville came in for Allan Campbell, who was sidelined through illness. 

Saville and Honeyman are similar in their attitude and effort. You could see on Saturday what Saville can give the team where Campbell can’t. The Northern Ireland international can break up attacks effectively – he is someone who lives and breathes Millwall Football Club. 

NEW POSITION FOR NORTON-CUFFY 

Adam Barrett sparked a surprise when the team news was released on Saturday. When I tweeted the team out on Saturday afternoon, I had a number of people asking: ‘How can we be playing a 4-2-3-1 with five defenders on the pitch?’ 

Well, I can tell you the answer. Playing Brooke Norton-Cuffy on the right wing. It was certainly a bold move by Barrett, considering he had the option of Ryan Longman on the bench, but he gave the youngster the chance and he took that chance. 

It took him a while to get used to the position and Watford pressed the Lions high in the first half, so settling into it initially was hard. However, in the second half, he got the chance to run at the Watford defence and had success. An option to be considered going forward if the injury situation does not ease.