Millwall have so often been Championship’s draw specialists – but now is not the time to judge Gary Rowett’s side

No club drew more matches than Millwall last season – 17. And the Lions actually have one more than at the same stage of the 2020-21 Championship campaign.

So matches ending all square isn’t anything new for the South Londoners, who drew 0-0 at Swansea on Wednesday. They are consistent in that respect. They also had 17 draws in the 2019-20 season, the joint most with West Bromwich Albion, and just converting a couple of those into victories would have put them above Swansea and into the play-offs.

Gary Rowett has attempted to bring in that extra attacking quality to turn one point into three on a slightly more regular basis. Kenneth Zohore and Troy Parrott failed to add enough on loan last season. Now the likes of Sheyi Ojo and Benik Afobe, yet again only temporary additions, get the chance to show they can be the missing link.

But not on Wednesday night.

The Lions have had a tough time with injuries, never a help in a squad that isn’t as deep with options as some of their Championship rivals.

Afobe had already sat out Saturday’s encouraging 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion. Ojo, meanwhile, had impressed at The Hawthorns. But illness deprived Rowett of the Liverpool loanee in South Wales.

You could make the case that Millwall were without four starters when you add in Shaun Hutchinson and Danny McNamara, a more attacking and dynamic option at right wing-back than Billy Mitchell.

George Evans was also ruled out with a groin problem. Daniel Ballard, one of the Lions’ leading performers since arriving on loan from Arsenal, suffered a freak cut above his right eye which forced his early withdrawal at Swansea.

The time to judge this latest Lions crop will be when Rowett has something approaching a fully fit squad to choose from.

But when exactly will that be? It’s a question all of the club’s coaching staff would love the answer to.

The next international break is in early October, but Millwall have two midweek fixtures – both on a Wednesday night – before following up with Saturday matches prior to the league shutting down.

There is every chance more issues could crop up with the struggle to manage game loads.

The effort was admirable from the Lions at Swansea but you could also see that there were plenty in the side relying on muscle memory in the closing stages, the low fuel lights blinking on with a good 15 minutes to go. In saying that, they actually looked the side most likely to break the deadlock in that period.

With such frugal attacking offerings it was easy to pick out Millwall’s best opportunity.

Tom Bradshaw had been energetic in the central striking role, no doubt that extra mobility to close down Swansea’s backline earning him a start ahead of Matt Smith. But he could only sidefoot straight at Ben Hamer in the 77th minute.

At least Millwall after successive road trips can now get back to The Den. But they come up against a Coventry side who are fifth in the form table for the last six matches, winning four of their last five.

The Lions had 12 points at this juncture of the 2020-21 season. This time they only have seven. But you have to apply context, the injuries and absences cannot be ignored.

Table-topping Fulham missed Harry Wilson in Saturday’s 1-0 reverse at Blackpool. Even one or two absentees can make a major difference, Millwall have had to roll with more than that pretty much as soon as they kicked off at QPR.

STAR MAN
Bartosz Bialkowski. Confident handling all evening and produced a strong save to repel Liam Walsh’s late free-kick.

BEST MOMENT
The interplay between Scott Malone and Connor Mahoney which created a big chance for Tom Bradshaw.