Four takeaways from Millwall’s 1-1 draw at Preston North End – Flemming enjoys Deepdale again as boss process set to progress

It started badly, finding themselves 1-0 down inside three minutes, but Zian Flemming’s 30th minute equaliser secured a share of the spoils for the Lions who extended their unbeaten run to three Championship games.

Here are Alex Grace’s four takeaways from the contest at Deepdale.

It had been a fairly uneventful international break for Millwall up until Wednesday night when a statement released by the club said they had “mutually agreed to part ways with first-team manager Gary Rowett.”

Many were surprised by the timing – me included – but not surprised by the outcome. Rowett’s tenure had felt like it had come to its natural conclusion after four years at the helm and that it was time for a change. Even Adam Barrett, who is now in caretaker charge, seemed surprised at the news that his boss had left the building.

Barrett would be given another shock inside three minutes at Deepdale. The Lions looked a mess in those opening exchanges, passive defending allowed centre-half Jordan Storey to dribble his way forward, lay the ball off to Will Keane, who held the ball up perfectly for Mads Frokjaer-Jensen – he calmly swept home to give the hosts the early lead.

What would have pleased Barrett was the response his side showed after the first 10 minutes. Growing into the game and earning their equaliser through Zian Flemming’s fine effort from outside the box – from that point on it was Millwall who looked the better and stronger side.

It’s safe to say that Zian Flemmng has found his favorite opponent in a Millwall shirt. A hat-trick at Deepdale last season was backed up with the second goal in the Lions’ 2-0 win over Ryan Lowe’s men at The Den last season. It has been a slow start to the campaign for Millwall’s record signing. The goal at Deepdale was just his third of the term after the intense speculation about his future over the course of the summer months – most notably from Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.

Now that has all settled down, for now at least, Millwall could be set to see their star man come to fore. The Bermonsey Bergkhamp netted 15 times last season – four of which came against Preston.

It is clear that his best role is in the centre operating as a number 10. There have been a few occasions this season where he has been shifted out to the left to play as part of a front three and his effectiveness has dwindled.

To get the best of Flemming he needs to play as a number 10.

Adam Barrett’s first big call in the temporary hotseat was to give Aidomo Emakhu his first start in a Millwall shirt. The youngster certainly repaid that faith with a good performance and staked a claim to keep his place with Kevin Nisbet out injured.

His ability to run at players, carry the ball forward and lead breakaways was great to watch – something that Millwall’s other attacking players, apart from Romian Esse, do not have the ability to do.

Emakhu demonstrated this trait in the 17th minute, he led the breakaway from a North End corner, charging down the right-hand side, his shot took a deflection off Ben Whiteman before forcing Freddie Woodman into a smart stop, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

There was concern though, as the 19-year-old had to be replaced by Ryan Longman in the 69th minute with what appeared to be a cramp.

With two more games to come this week, the last thing the Lions need is more injuries.

Not only is it a big week in terms of the future of the football club, with the board forming a shortlist of who should be the person to build on the successful four years of Rowett’s stewardship, there is also the small matter of games against Blackburn Rovers and Watford.

While all the focus is going to be on who gets linked to the job, the Lions must keep focused on the pitch. Such is the nature of the Championship, that these three-game weeks can see you up in the play-offs or looking over your shoulder by the end of them.

Blackburn are up first on Tuesday night and nightmare memories of what happened on the final day of the season will resurface. Those will be demons that the team will want to banish away before a trip to Watford next Saturday.

Chairman James Berylson is flying over this week. Chief executive Steve Kavanagh and the board will look after the appointment process and the pressure will be on them to make sure they get this decision right.