The lowdown on Millwall 1 Oxford United 1 – Frustration for Lions as game plan so close to yielding three points
Millwall extended their undefeated run to nine Championship matches with a 1-1 draw at Oxford United on Saturday.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Millwall: Jensen, Leonard, Hutchinson (Wallace 80), Tanganga, Bryan, De Norre, Saville, Honeyman, Esse, Azeez (Langstaff 90+1), Coburn (Bradshaw 46). Not used: Roberts, McNamara, Mitchell, Wintle, Emakhu, Ivanovic.
Oxford United: Cumming, Long, Moore, Brown, Leigh (Goodwin 84), Vaulks (El Mizouni 46), Brannagan, Goodrham, Phillips (Dale 73), Placheta (Rodrigues 61), Scarlett (Harris 61). Not used: Ingram, McEachran, Ter Avest, Thorniley.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
Frustration. Neil Harris was quickly back out of the changing room after the game but then sat in the away dugout for a good five to 10 minutes as he let his emotions settle down. Millwall finally made a succession of first-half set-pieces and long throws count when Japhet Tanganga headed in Joe Bryan’s deep cross. It then seemed that the Lions were competently managing the second half and running the clock down until Tyler Goodrham produced a superb finish from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot. Injuries to Josh Coburn and Shaun Hutchinson were further setbacks for Harris, especially with Tanganga suspended for Saturday’s home game against Coventry after collecting five bookings.
TACTICAL APPROACH
The physicality of Millwall was clearly superior in the first half as they dealt with Oxford’s attacking threats without any stress at all. Femi Azeez was an excellent outlet for the South Londoners down the left in the first 45 minutes but the summer signing from Reading just did not have the same supply line in the second period. Coburn’s ankle injury forced Harris to turn to his bench and he opted for Tom Bradshaw ahead of Macaulay Langstaff or Mihailo Ivanovic.
STAR MAN
Femi Azeez. Really is beginning to show his qualities and was positive every time he got the ball. At least a couple of lovely link up moments with Romain Esse.
BEST MOMENT
Tanganga’s goal. Has to be when you consider the game lacked very many standout attacking moments.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Tanganga’s early caution after just two minutes. The foul on Dane Scarlett was by no means a serious offence. But referee James Linington, rather than issuing a warning, instantly reached for his book. No Jake Cooper, Tanganga and, quite possibly, Hutchinson, for the next fixture is a major pain.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
Some supporters on social media were debating why Ivanovic or Langstaff did not come on to replace Coburn. But then those kind of debates always spring up after a team does not win – whoever is not brought on is then seen as the potential solution. Only Harris sees the players in training every day. Hard to have real grumbles when Millwall can make it 10 unbeaten in the Championship against the Sky Blues.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“The first half was excellent. We played really attacking-minded football. We didn’t have that killer instinct to be two or three up at half-time unfortunately – or did we have it and we just haven’t got the quality in the building, that is the other side of Millwall Football Club.”