Four takeaways from Millwall’s 3-1 defeat at Cardiff City – backline not looking as sturdy as normal but Afobe a plus

Millwall slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Cardiff City in Wales at the weekend.

Benik Afobe netted the Lions goal to give them hope briefly after an Aden Flint double had edged the home side into a 2-0 lead. A late Sean Morrison goal killed the game off as Millwall chased an equaliser.

Here are Daniel Marsh’s four takeaways from the match:

DEFENSIVE WOES

The Lions have thrived off of a resolute backline since Gary Rowett took charge at the Den. But in the early weeks of this season, the Millwall backline has been uncharacteristically leaky.

It’s now four games without a clean sheet – including giving up leads against QPR and Blackburn before shipping three goals against the Bluebirds on Saturday.

The Lions are facing up to six weeks without stalwart Shaun Hutchinson, and it looks like they could be set to struggle without him.

BIG BEN STRIKES AGAIN

One positive for the Lions in the 3-1 reverse was Benik Afobe getting on the scoresheet.

The on-loan striker got off the mark in fortuitous fashion against Fulham on Tuesday night, as a lucky ricochet looped over the Whites keeper in consolation. But there was no touch of fortune about his goal on Saturday, as the hitman made it two goals in two games.

Millwall have lacked a reliable goalscorer pretty much throughout Rowett’s entire reign – and Afobe is starting to show why he could be the man to finally buck that trend.

SQUAD CONCERNS

Danny McNamara was missing for the Lions trip to Cardiff, with the right-back omitted from the entire squad.

Whilst not much is known about his absence, Rowett will be hoping that he isn’t set to be without the youngster for too long.

Mahlon Romeo struggled in the midweek defeat against Fulham and Ryan Leonard, the Lions other option at right-back, was also missing from the squad for the trip to the Welsh capital.

ANOTHER SLOW START

It’s now just two points from the opening four games for the Lions, making it another slow start to a season.

Millwall have a habit of stumbling out of the blocks, and early season optimism has taken a hit after a sobering week against two of the leagues big boys.

Both Cardiff and Fulham will be in and around the top six – where Rowett wants his side to be.

The Lions have had a habit previously of raising their game in fixtures against bigger teams, thriving off their underdog tag. But that hasn’t been the case this week.

Instead it’s been a telling few days which indicate the Rowett’s side have a lot of work to do if they want to be challenging for a play-off spot this year.