Millwall boss Gary Rowett gives his verdict on FA Cup third round Den tie against Crystal Palace
Gary Rowett knows that Millwall and Crystal Palace fans will be “massively up” for their FA Cup third round tie at The Den.
The two clubs were paired together in the draw earlier this evening. It will be the first time that they have met in more than eight years.
Millwall have upset Premier League sides on home turf in recent seasons. They were a League One club when they knocked out three top-flight clubs in the 2016-17 season – reigning Premier League champions Leicester City, Watford and AFC Bournemouth – before a 6-0 loss at Tottenham in the last eight.
They also beat Everton at The Den in the 2018-19 campaign and were 2-0 up against Brighton in the quarter-finals later that year, only for their visitors to score twice in the closing stages – including a Solly March goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Albion won 5-4 on penalties.
Rowett told the South London Press: “When you’re a manager you’re looking for different types of ties. Often in the FA Cup you’re looking for a tie against a lower league team where you think you can progress. Or you’re looking for a home tie against a Premier League club in which you’ve got the atmosphere of a big game and an opportunity to try and take a big scalp.
“It’s a good draw.
“Don’t get me wrong, Crystal Palace are a terrific side, a top side. They’ve been really improving under their new manager and they play in a slightly different way to how they did in the last few seasons under Roy Hodgson.
“It’s a big local game and the fans will be massively up for it. There won’t have been a game like this for a while, in terms of a cup atmosphere at home.
“What you don’t want is a team you play regularly. Everyone seems to groan when those type of ties come out – it’s like Groundhog Day. Anything away from that, especially a Premier League side which is local, would make it a really interesting game. It’s one where you know you’ll be up against it but you relish because it is at home.”
PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS AND KEITH GILLARD
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