The lowdown on Millwall 1 West Brom 1 – Bryan own goal is only blot on impressive display by Lions full-back
Millwall drew 1-1 at home against West Bromwich Albion in the Championship yesterday.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Millwall: Jensen, Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan, Mitchell (Saville 76), De Norre (Honeyman 76), Connolly (Neghli 65), Cundle, Azeez, Ivanovic. Subs not used: Roberts, Wallace, Watmore, Emakhu, Bangura-Williams, Harding.
West Brom: Wildsmith, Furlong, Styles, Ajayi, Wallace (Fellows 70), Molumby, Diangana (Dike 77), Heggem, Diakite, Lankshear (Ahearne-Grant 57), Armstrong (Swift 77). Subs not used: Griffiths, Holgate, Price, Johnston, Mowatt.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
Millwall had a dream start with Jake Cooper heading home Femi Azeez’s cross for his 27th goal for the club. The hosts had not been troubled until Darnell Furlong’s cross came off the leg of Joe Bryan and ended up rolling into Lukas Jensen’s net in the 26th minute. No disputing the Lions had the better opportunities – the xG (expected goals) backed that up. Wildsmith made saves from Cooper and Camiel Neghli and there were some other nearly moments.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Two changes made by head coach Alex Neil as Billy Mitchell came into central midfield with George Saville dropping to the bench. Neghli was also placed on the subs list with Femi Azeez returning on the left wing. Millwall pressed so well in a front-footed opening 25 minutes. At least of the starting attackers – Mihailo Ivanovic, Luke Cundle and Aaron Connolly had fairly quiet afternoons. Connolly had strapping on his right leg. Neghli impacted more when he was brought on. The winger had four efforts in 25 minutes. The other attempts came from Cooper (three), Japhet Tanganga (two) with Casper De Norre, Bryan and Azeez all on one.
STAR MAN
Joe Bryan. People might think I’m mad – but let me explain why. Yes the left-back scored an own goal for the second game running but he set the tone early on with his aggressive handling of former Millwall favourite Jed Wallace. Carries an attacking threat with his desire to get forward but he also was number one in this match for passes, touches, tackles and clearances. Made one superb challenge on Jayson Molumby late on to get Tanganga out of jail after he softly lost possession in a dangerous area.
BEST MOMENT
Cooper’s goal. Azeez’s cross was bang on the money. West Brom boss Tony Mowbray was unhappy that Semi Ajayi had not made sure he was marking Millwall’s towering defender when the ball came into the box. Instead it was a mismatch as Cooper got away from Ousmane Diakite.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Thought that there could have been more than four minutes added. Wallace received treatment after his injury in the second period which ended up forcing him off. When you add in the subs made it felt like we should have had at least another minute or two. With Millwall pressuring for a winner it could have given them one more chance to snatch a win.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
That Millwall produced a reaction from that shock 5-1 loss at Plymouth on Wednesday night. Millwall’s 11th draw of the season leaves them in mid-table – eight points behind West Brom, who occupy the final play-off position but have played a fixture more.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“I was really pleased today but it would have been topped off if we’d have won the game. As far as application, aggression, understanding what it means, showing the passion on the pitch from the players – I thought they did it brilliantly.”