Four takeaways from Millwall’s 0-0 draw at West Brom – bookies’ odds shorten on Championship play-off place as weekend results are positive

Millwall drew 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion yesterday.

Here are Richard Cawley’s takeaways from the match.

RESPECT THE POINT

Millwall collected their 10th draw of the 2022-23 Championship season and it proved to be a really positive one.

West Brom extended their unbeaten run at The Hawthorns to 12 matches – winning 10 of those – and have conceded once during that period. No side in the second tier has banked as many points on home turf in that period. But this was not just Millwall heading to the West Midlands in defensive mode. They Lions had four attempts on target compared to their opponent’s one – and I can’t even remember George Long making a save.

West Brom keeper Josh Griffiths, by contrast, turned a Tom Bradshaw shot around his post with Zian Flemming also forcing him into action in the second period as well. Bradshaw also failed to get a good enough connection on Ryan Leonard’s long throw fairly early on.

Millwall had a decent spell after the restart as they pinned Carlos Corberan’s side back. West Brom’s xG (expected goals) was 1.12 in the first half but only 0.36 in the second 45 minutes – the fact they ran out of ideas and had been stymied saw their tempers fray in the closing stages.

RESULT

Well, really that should be results.

Norwich lost at home to Sheffield United and Coventry City suffered a 4-0 reverse to Stoke City. So that means that Millwall have a four-point cushion over the clubs attempting to chase down a position in the play-offs.

Blackburn were also beaten, 1-0 at Birmingham City, and that moved the Lions up to fifth at close of play on Saturday night.

Millwall are 2/7 with the bookies to reach the play-offs with only Friday’s opponents Luton (1/16) and Middlesbrough (1/20) shorter odds.

This is a fantastic opportunity to end a 21-year wait for a Championship play-off spot, there is simply no way of getting away from that.

WALLACE V WALLACE

Murray Wallace faced former team-mate Jed Wallace at The Hawthorns. And it took less than 20 seconds after the fixture kicked off for the 2,000-plus travelling support to sing an offensive chant to their former fans’ favourite.

Jed had a shot blocked in the penalty box and also fired in a fizzing cross which caused temporary panic stations, but he was largely restricted by his Scottish namesake.

Showed his class at full time. Despite his every touch being booed – and the same chant emanating more than once from the away end – he went over and clapped the Millwall supporters at the end.

Jed Wallace clapping the away end at full time. #Millwall pic.twitter.com/KkntbWyp3a

— Richard Cawley (@RichCawleySLP) April 1, 2023

HAPPY TRAVELS

The stat before Saturday’s match was that only Middlesbrough had more away wins (nine) than Millwall (seven) in the Championship since the South Londoners recorded their first three-pointer on the road in mid-October.

The Lions are unbeaten in four on their travels and it is now their home form, with two defeats in their last three, where they need an upturn.

Luton Town, next up in SE16 at the end of this week, have the third best away record in the league, taking 35 points from 19 matches. That is only exceeded by Sheffield United (37) and Burnley (36).

The Hatters are unlikely to sit back and aim to frustrate, like Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield Town did before the international break and then suckerpunching through Danny Ward. In saying that, that reverse doesn’t look so bad when you consider the Terriers beat Boro 4-2 yesterday. Neil Warnock, such a wily campaigner, has breathed new life into their survival fight.