Four takeaways from Millwall’s 2-0 win over Cardiff City – Styles shines and will Afobe’s goal earn him start at Sunderland?

Millwall ended a run of three successive Championship defeats with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday.

Here are Richard Cawley’s takeaways.

BACK IN BUSINESS
The pressure was beginning to build on the Lions after a pointless period but they managed to stop the rot. They came into Saturday’s match having lost the last three matches and also failing to score in them. They had also conceded at least two goals in five of their last six fixtures.
But they fixed all those issues by 5pm. Charlie Cresswell and Benik Afobe both found the back of Ryan Allsop’s net with Bartosz Bialkowski keeping his first clean sheet since the opening day success over Stoke City.

It moved Millwall up to 14th in the table and they are only three points behind Burnley, in fifth.

Leeds loanee Cresswell’s goal was the first one scored by a Millwall player since August 13 – more than seven hours.

It was his third goal – all at The Den, all from attacking a corner and two of them at the Cold Blow Lane end. With Shaun Hutchinson coming off with a groin problem it seems likely the England U21 international, not a guaranteed starter of late, will get a run of matches.

FLEMMING DESPERATE FOR A GOAL

While Benik Afobe got off the mark for the season, Millwall’s record signing Zian Flemming is still awaiting the chance to perform his Nate Diaz-themed goal celebration.

One thing is for certain, the Dutchman is operating a shoot on sight policy.

He had four shots at Burnley last Tuesday, including an excellent free-kick, and was again top for efforts against Cardiff with five.

The closest he came against the Bluebirds was 16 minutes in. Callum Styles produced a burst down the left and his low cross was controlled by Andreas Voglsammer, as the German shifted the ball to his right it was met by Flemming – a curler narrowly wide of the left upright.
It was another encouraging display from the former Fortuna Sittard man.

STYLES SHOWS UP

I thought that new signing Callum Styles would only be on the bench at the weekend after his loan move from Barnsley was only wrapped up just before Thursday’s 11 pm deadline. But Millwall boss Gary Rowett opted to bring the Hungarian international in for Scott Malone. Jamie Shackleton replaced Danny McNamara as well, as both wing-back starters were changed from the loss at Turf Moor. Both acquitted themselves well.

Styles had the most touches of any Millwall player, made their most tackles and had a joint game high amount of dribbles. In short this was a really encouraging debut.

His versatility is a plus too, as he shifted into central midfield after Rowett made a triple change in the 62nd minute.

HAS AFOBE DONE ENOUGH TO START AT THE STADIUM OF LIGHT?
Benik Afobe had been dropped from the starting line up for the last two matches as Rowett went with the energy and industry of Tom Bradshaw, Voglsammer and Flemming. But he became the first Millwall striker to score this season when he wrapped up the outcome in the 90th minute.

Afobe nicked the ball inside of Niels Nkounkou and then showed trademark composure to finish past Allsop.

Will that be enough to see the much-travelled frontman win back a starting spot for Saturday’s trip to the Stadium of Light? Quite possibly.
But it’s easier to be confident that the likes of Shackleton and Styles will stay in the wing-back slots with Cresswell replacing Hutchinson.

Afobe scored 13 goals in all competitions last season and the fact he is now off and running is going to strengthen his claim for a starting recall. The question could be whether Rowett places more value in the hustle and movement of the front three he started with against Cardiff.