Femi Azeez happy to finally experience magic – and not the misery – of FA Cup as Millwall winger expecting ‘lively’ Palace derby
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Femi Azeez had only been on the receiving end of FA Cup upsets before he joined Millwall. But now the winger has had a taste of success in the competition and is hungry for more at Crystal Palace tomorrow.
The 23-year-old winger scored for Reading in last season’s tournament but they were still dumped out by National League outfit Eastleigh in the second round.
And Azeez also featured for the Royals in January 2022 when sixth-tier Kidderminster Harriers, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, came from behind to reach the fourth round.
Magic of the FA Cup? Misery, more like.
But not now.
Azeez scored both goals for Millwall when they KO’d Leeds United at the start of this month. Now the Lions head to Selhurst Park for the first time since a 2-2 draw in October 2012.
Millwall’s last victory in SE25 was a 2010 Championship encounter, Theo Robinson netted with Palace centre-back Claude Davis sent off late on.
Azeez picks out his Elland Road brace as his best FA Cup highlight but tomorrow’s lunchtime clash is a chance to surpass it.
“It’s going to be a lively one,” he told the South London Press.
“I was at home when the draw was made and I was excited for it. I was with my missus and I said: “I hope we get someone good. I hope we get a Premier League team’. When Palace came up I was like ‘yeah, that’s a good draw’.
“You can probably say that we are the underdogs – we’ve been in that position plenty of times this season and come out on top.
“It’s a local derby, so we want to be showing up. We don’t want to be walking away afterwards thinking we got battered. We have got personal pride at stake. In terms of the bookies classing us as underdogs that takes the pressure off, in a way, which is good.
“Either way we are going to go out there and give our all to get through to the next round.
“At Reading every time I was in the FA Cup with them we lost – except for when we beat Watford and got to play Manchester United. But I didn’t come on in that game. So it hasn’t been the best for me.
“The biggest FA Cup moment was that brace against Leeds.
“I was so happy because that was my first game back from a groin injury and I said to myself that I was going to leave everything on the pitch. I did that, really. I was fortunate enough to get the goals.
“The Millwall fans were unbelievable that game, making loads of noise. I think they drowned out the Leeds fans – however many there were of them, something like 30,000.
“We always play for the fans as well as ourselves and the club. The fact they are so supportive is a bigger boost for us when we do well. We feel good that we’ve made them happy and also made a long trip worthwhile.”
Azeez is left-footed but has played down both sides since joining the Lions, as well as right wing-back in last week’s Championship match at Preston North End.
He is set to be up against either Daniel Munoz or Tyrick Mitchell in the tie at Palace. Both are aggressive and accomplished defenders with the Colombian also a big attacking threat.
“It’s always nice to have a friendly battle on the pitch,” said Azeez. “What I like to do is go forward. I don’t like going back as much, but I have to do it for the team. Whether I play on the left or right, I will do my research. That tells me how I need to play.
“We go into quite a lot of detail, in terms of how they play going forwards and backwards, as well as their general play.
“Everyone is different in terms of looking at their opponents. I will probably do it from Wednesday onwards. When you think too much about a game you can get too much into your head sometimes.
“It’s not about leaving it until the last minute but leaving enough time to prepare properly throughout the week and getting your mind switched on – you need to find that balance.”
Azeez has scored three goals and five assists in 28 matches for Millwall.
“It’s definitely gone well,” he said. “Coming in as a new guy it takes time to adjust and I think I have now. I’ve adapted to the pace of the Championship and the team as well.
“I’ve added some goals and assists to my game. I could add more but I’m using this season as a transitional one to really establish myself and then the next one I can kick on properly. I’ve definitely enjoyed it a lot.
“This is my first season in the Championship since I was at Reading and they got relegated.
“That is not a nice type of pressure to have – fighting to stay up – and we have the luxury that we don’t have it this season. We can take each game as it is.
“We are higher in the table and closer to the play-offs – but if we focus solely on that target it is easy to get clouded. You need to take each opponent as they come, take the three points and see where we are at the end of the season.
“The main thing is getting the three points really.
“It has been a good year to find my feet and prove to myself that I’m of the level as well.
“I’m working continuously, really. There is always scope to improve. The ceiling is always getting higher and higher. The more I turn up every day then the more I get on the pitch. The more I learn and improve. then the more I enjoy it.
“No disrespect to League One, it’s still a good league, but the Championship is much higher quality – fast-paced and better quality players. Naturally anyone coming from the league below would take a bit of time to get used to things, which I have taken.”
Azeez has not just experienced a change of division but also head coaches.
Former Norwich, Sunderland and Preston manager Alex Neil was appointed Millwall boss in late December after Neil Harris opted to quit.
Millwall have lost just twice in 12 matches since the New Year’s Day defeat to Oxford United – Neil’s first game at the helm.
“I enjoyed playing under Neil Harris,” said Azeez. “He brought me in, so I will be forever grateful to him for that.
“Alex Neil has implemented his style. I’ve enjoyed working with him a lot and you can see from the results that we have bought into his philosophy.
“Both managers are very different. Neil Harris did very well for the club and I think Alex Neil will do very well for the club. I want to keep on learning from him.”
Millwall have been allocated 3,781 tickets for the Palace match.
“I have no doubts we can get through,” said Azeez. “The team we have, we definitely have the quality. We’re all excited – roll on Saturday.”