Millwall Match thread - Will the Lions sleep tonight?

I'm sorry, can't help it. I'm old fashioned and a romantic and I like cup ties.

Millwall
The club that nobody likes has been hit by two tragedies in the last year: the untimely deaths of well-regarded owner John Berylson and young goalkeeper Matija Sarjic. Whatever you might think of the club, these are two tragic deaths in quick succession and will be very difficult to get over. Our condolences must go out to their families.

The club had a terrible season last year in the Championship, suffering the hangover of imploding the year before when a play-off place was theirs for the asking. Gary Rowett left as manager and was replaced by Joe Edwards who oversaw very poor performances. Odds on to be relegated, they turned to club legend Neil Harris, who oversaw a miraculous upturn in form and an eventual mid-table position. Having said all that, they are predicted to struggle again this season.

Transfer business has been limited. They have signed centre back Japhet Tanganga from Tottenham who was previously on loan with them and performed very well. Lukas Jensen has come in from Lincoln to be the keeper and also looks a good acquisition. Macauley Longstaff has an excellent scoring record in the lower divisions but is 27 and this is his first year at anything like this level, so who knows whether he can perform. Femi Azeez has just joined, having had a storming year from Reading as well as very young and promising central midfielder Daniel Kelly from Celtic.

Neil Harris teams are well organised defensively, hard-working and physical. Very direct in attacking and rely heavily on set pieces. They have had a poor start in the league, notching their first point in a 0-0 draw with Hull on Saturday. Prior to that, they managed six goals in three games, although they lost high scoring matches against Bristol City and Watford.

This is mainly an old squad, the average age (FBRef has them as 29) being pulled down by Kelly, Roman Esse, Aidomo Emakhu and Adam Mayor and not that big – currently 25. In front of Jensen, Tanganga is partnered by Jake Cooper who wins everything in the air, is a threat at set pieces either as target or decoy but is desperately slow across the ground. Club captain is the very experienced central defender Shaun Hutchison who is also big and slow. Back from long-term injury as the left-back is Joe Bryan, who has been excellent in the past. On the other flank is Danny McNamara who is sound, with Ryan Leonard as a back-up, who is really a ball winning midfielder.

George Saville is a solid midfielder, good at defending and runs into the box, who was Millwall’s record transfer sale back in 18-19 for €7.8 million. Returning in 2021, he has gained a crick in the neck from watching the ball fly over him, and is now valued at €1.5 million. He is usually partnered with Casper de Norre who provides the progressive passing.

Up front, as well as Longstaff is the long-serving Tom Bradshaw, a clever striker but not a prolific finisher. Much will depend on whether or not Zian Flemming, who has not featured this season, can re-capture his form of two years ago and whether Duncan Watmore can contribute (which he has so far this season with three goals).

This is a game that Millwall could probably do without, given they have a relegation six pointer (yes, at this stage of the season) against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Neil Harris would ideally like this one done and dusted by half-time. I would expect to see heavy rotation with first starts for Azeez and Kelly. I would guess at Danny McNamara and Wes Harding getting runouts in defence, probably alongside Jake Cooper who seems indestructible. Up front it looks like Macauley Longstaff, as there isn’t much choice. Billy Mitchell is injured as is Zian Flemming, from carrying around tractor manuals in case of Ipswich reviving their interest in him.

Given our start and squad size, this is also a game Orient could do without. In his post Birmingham City match interview, Richie Wellens promised rotation for this match, having been unenthusiastic about his bench. There is a big question mark about whether he will keep Zach Hemmings in goal for this match, rather than Sam Howes. That suggests Omar Beckles as one centre back, since it is probably too early for Jack Simpson and Tom James as one of the full backs. Central midfield could see a first start for Lewis Warrington and perhaps one up front for Sonny Perkins as Charlie Kelman surely deserves a rest. Diallan Jaiyesimi might well get a go from the start.

A first meeting with Millwall since 2010 in a competition where Orient haven’t been beyond the third round this century. Fans might appreciate an easy trip to London Bridge, sampling the Bermondsey beer mile for those without gout and prostate problems, a sunny day and watching our plucky lads lose to higher ranked team in an intimidating venue. Richie Wellens, on the contrary, might say to his players, “This is a team on the slide and under pressure who are no better than the last three League 1 teams we’ve faced. Do your jobs, don’t make stupid mistakes, believe in your ability and we can win this.”

In: Macauley Longstaff CF (Notts County, £830k), Japhet Tanganga CB (Tottenham, free), Liam Roberts GK (Middlesborough, free), Lukas Jensen GK (Lincoln, undisclosed), Femi Azeez RW (Reading, €1.5 million), Daniel Kelly CM (Celtic, undisclosed)
Out: Alex Mitchell CB (Charlton, undisclosed), Bartosz Bialkowski GK (released), Kevin Nisbet CF (Aberdeen, loan)