Four takeaways from the Lions’ 3-1 defeat at Norwich: This doesn’t look or feel much like a Millwall team – Emakhu deserves chance to pep up underperforming attack
Millwall slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday.
It’s now three losses in a row for the Lions. Here are Daniel Marsh’s takeaways from a disappointing afternoon.
LIONS TOOTHLESS AGAIN
A week on from that late defeat against Bristol City and again, I don’t really think Millwall can have any complaints about Sunday’s reverse.
Norwich were better than the Lions in every facet of the game and were good value for the three points.
The writing had been on wall well before Jon Rowe curled home a slick opener for the hosts, with Millwall struggling to muster up any sort of attacking rhythm. And the match was up long before the Lions finally sparked into life midway through the second half after Josh Sargent doubled Norwich’s lead just four minutes after the restart.
A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
A resolute defence has been the hallmark of this Millwall team in recent years, but the Lions’ seasoned backline looked alarmingly off the pace in Norfolk – both figuratively and literally.
The likes of Shaun Hutchinson, Jake Cooper, Murray Wallace and Danny McNamara all have credit in the bank with the Lions fanbase, but none of them covered themselves in glory against the Canaries.
The resolute pairing of Hutchinson and Cooper has started to show signs of wear and tear, while Wallace and McNamara are both desperately out of form.
New goalkeeper Matija Sarkic was caught in no man’s land for Norwich’s second goal, but the Serbian shotstopper is still finding his feet after signing from Wolves. In front of him though, it’s starting to feel like Millwall have real issues.
EMAKHU MAKES HIS MARK
Just as he did in pre-season, Aidomo Emakhu made the most of his opportunity to impress after being called upon at Carrow Road.
The Irish forward played a key role in Romain Esse’s match-winning goal against Middlesbrough on the opening weekend with some excellent wing-play, but the 19-year-old went one better against Norwich by bagging his first Millwall goal – a fine solo effort.
Although it counted for little on the day, the impact Emakhu is having in these cameo roles is growing by the week. The Lions have a real dearth of pace at their disposal. If the Lions deploy a similar shape against Stoke next weekend, Emakhu has done enough for a chance to impress from the off.
FAN DISSENT
The Millwall faithful, who travelled in good numbers to Norfolk, made their feelings clear with some ruthless chants directed at Gary Rowett following another toothless display.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with said chants, few would argue that Lions fans have had little to shout about so far this season.
The shift in mood from the start of the month after that win over Middlesbrough has been nothing short of seismic, but it’s also been reflected in performances, too. Millwall have been desperately poor in the matches since Boro – both in terms of quality and endeavour. This current team doesn’t look or feel like a Millwall team. They were bullied by Reading, outfought by Bristol City and outdone again by Norwich.
The natives are beginning to get restless and the mood will sour further if things don’t improve against Stoke next weekend. It may still be very early doors in terms of the current campaign, but all is not well at the Den.
Stop playing that 3 or 5 at the back system (whatever you want to call it) that does not suit us. The three central defenders all look past their sell by date (especially Wallace) dont wast money on goalkeepers we probably didnt need. Neither wide defender / full back is good enough to play as a wing back. The team selection is all wrong and the team dont look fit – even the Norwich manager said his team looked fitter than ours. Play the youngsters from the start and buy a decent creative midfield player. Our first corner at Norwich was in the 93rd minute!!