‘Den is a leveller for us’ – Millwall striker gives his verdict on FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace
Millwall forward Tom Bradshaw has talked up the importance of their FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace being at home, writes Richard Cawley.
The Lions will face their South London rivals at The Den on January 8, the first meeting of the two clubs since April 2013.
Palace manager Patrick Vieira could be without Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate and Jeffrey Schlupp for the third round fixture if the quartet are called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, hosted by Cameroon, starts on January 9.
Bradshaw missed Millwall’s FA Cup run in the 2018-19 season – when they beat Everton in SE16 before losing on penalties to Brighton in the quarter-final – after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage at Brentford.
“Whenever the draw is on TV it gets plenty of the lads talking on the group chat,” said Bradshaw. “You’re hoping for a West Ham or Crystal Palace – a local game which the fans can enjoy and we as players can enjoy.
“Nine times out of 10 I wouldn’t say you are disappointed with the draw but the chances of you getting the draw you actually want are really slim.
“To get Palace is a massive game for the club. It will be a privilege to be a part of it and hopefully we can get a good result against them to give the fans a real lift.
“They are a very good team and they have got very good players. They have undoubtedly got a lot of quality. When it is a one-game shootout – like the cup games are – then it’s a bit of a leveller, especially when it is at The Den.
“We’ve proven in the past that we can beat big Premier League teams. We’ll go into that game with the same belief we can beat Palace – and there is absolutely no reason we can’t.”
Vieira broke into a smile when asked about the draw last week. The Frenchman won the FA Cup five times as a player – four of those with Arsenal before claiming it a final time in 2011 at Manchester City
He said: “That will be another derby, a difficult place to go and play. But this is the FA Cup, we want to do well in that competition. We’re looking forward to the game.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
