Welcome to another edition of the News At Den Fans Panel. Every few weeks we will be talking to three of our seven members, all lifelong Lions fans, to gauge their views on Millwall, football, sport and the world at large. Joining the panel and making their debuts are estates manager Matt, 41, markets risk manager Tony, 51, and returning for his third appearance is PE teacher Charlie, 23.
–
Matt
- How would you rate Joe Edwards’ opening stint as Lions boss out of 10 and why?
Joe is a very good coach, coming from the Chelsea ranks like some other coaches (Michael Beale, Brendan Rodgers, Paul Clement). To come to Millwall (as a first job) would be a challenge for most managers/coaches not to mention one that has no club management experience.
I felt that December would always be rocky what with the teams we were facing and the style that Joe wants to bring to the team. Most/all of the players would not have experienced this style of play, his hunger and determination to win in a style that he wants, and that was gonna take time.
I can now see now (on the field) what he is trying to do, what the players are trying to do and the results recently proves that. Therefore I give Joe a solid 8 out of 10 and I feel it will get better once his stance on the squad becomes more apparent.
- George Saville’s red card in that Norwich game has really split opinion. Where do you stand on it?
I feel it was a red. Not for the type of tackle, it was a tactical foul but I felt that in real time it was very cynical and dangerous, unlike a nudge or a slide, he came in, scissor-type tackle and gave the ref no hesitation.
- [Question asked and answered before Hutchinson’s injury came to light] Shaun Hutchinson came in for Wes Harding and was really impressive at Bristol City even before his late goal. What do you think should happen when Harding returns? Who should be starting in Millwall’s back three?
Hutch coming into the team in the absence of Wes Harding, I had my doubts as I felt he was a little off the pace the last time he played (Cardiff) but he has slotted in immensely, a leader on the pitch which gives Jake Cooper a respite.
However, Wes Harding has also been impressive when playing, but it is now down to Wes to win back that position. If a player is performing to their highest peak, it is up to the other defender to match or better that. So no, I don’t think Wes should come in until there is an opportunity for him to get back in. It’s healthy competition at the end of the day.
- What type of players do Millwall need in January?
The January window is looming and I feel that we need to bolster in all areas going forward and ensure that we have two or three people who can do the role, build that competitiveness and desire and also to prevent from fatigue which will come eventually.
For me I would look at another creative midfielder, another wide player as I would have Aidomo Emakhu start up top. But we also have talented youngsters, so do we go down that route?
- Away from football for a second, the tale of Luke Littler in the Darts World Championships has captured everyone over the last few days. Where do rank his achievement of getting to the final as a 16-year-old?
Luke Littler’s performance just showcases the point to any youngster that if you enjoy doing something and you’re good at it, never give up and the rewards will be there at the end.
Prediction for Saturday: I feel both teams will make significant changes. Leicester have a very strong squad and may have more of a focus on the league. I do feel that The Den only being part open on Saturday will be a factor and therefore I am not that confident, so as much as I love Millwall if we get a draw out of it then I will be impressed. But my gut feeling is: Millwall 1-3 Leicester
–
Tony
- Just 11 games into the Joe Edwards reign and it already feels like so much has happened. What have you made of all the ups and downs so far?
I thought Edwards was an interesting and brave appointment but must confess to some worries after early results, performances and selection decisions, but always knew he needed time. Performances have improved gradually and results have followed. The players seems very together and fitter which is also a good sign.
- That win over Norwich felt huge to me and a potential turning point in what has been a fairly mediocre campaign so far. Were you at the game and how highly did you rate the win?
Unfortunately I was away so wasn’t at the Norwich game but watched it via Millwall TV. I thought it was an old-school Millwall win against a very good and expensively assembled side. We seemed to bully them and the behaviour of Ashley Barnes in particular brought the crowd into play.
Gary Rowett always struggled with these sort of games but Edwards seems to grasp the unique atmosphere that The Den can create.
- The January transfer window is open. How many players do Millwall need and in what positions?
Firstly, we really need a good January window, our last two have been poor and I think last year’s cost us the play-offs. I think we need as a minimum a centre back, a winger and a tall centre forward. We don’t need any more central midfielders!
- The year 2023 proved to be quite a memorable 12 months on Planet Millwall. What memories will most stick with you?
The appalling 2nd half against Blackburn where we threw the game away. Also, the very sad passing of John Berylson and the way the fans rallied round to express their respects to the family. On a positive note the fact that the Berylson family are still committed to the club, we are extremely fortunate to have such amazing owners.
- Elsewhere in the Championship, we’ve seen Ipswich’s form suddenly desert them. Who do you think will end up in the top two and in the four play-off places?
I think Leicester will win it with Southampton also promoted. For the play-offs I will go Ipswich, Leeds, West Brom and Coventry.
Prediction for Saturday: Having seen Millwall in the final I am not bothered by the FA Cup so would expect Edwards to use the game to rest some players as I think Leicester will, but I am going to say: Millwall 1-0 Leicester with Romain Esse to score
–
Charlie
- A hugely fruitful festive programme for Millwall with 10 points out of 12. Did you see that coming? Where did it come from?
That many games over the festive period is always going to be tough. I did expect us to beat Huddersfield and QPR at home but then again with our up and down form at home, you never know.
Norwich was a surprising win. Before the game, anyone would have taken a draw so pleasantly surprised. Stoke: a draw away from home is a good result. But even in the games prior to that like Sunderland we can see that Edwards’ football is starting to come out and we weren’t losing or drawing because we were playing bad. I guess he’s just had to change a lot of route one, five at the back defensive football to try and be on the front foot. So definitely very pleased with the festive results.
- Given the turnaround in form, do you feel like there is any Millwall player who deserves more credit than they are currently getting?
There’s been a few standout players who have really picked up. I mean Ryan Leonard is always a class act when he’s actually fit and when he is, he’s always one of our most consistent and best in the team.
I also like the move of finally putting George Honeyman in his natural position where he used to play so good for Hull, with his energy and his ability to rile up opposition players like you saw with Barnes against Norwich. He likes to give it a bit but it also helps get the crowd involved as well so I’d definitely say Honeyman and Leonard are the two standouts that deserve more praise than what they’re getting realistically.
- Ten points clear of relegation, eight points off the play-offs, a tasty FA Cup game with Leicester to come. What’s realistically possible for Millwall this season?
Ten points clear but also eight points off is a good position to be. After Rowett leaving, I already said to everyone I knew that I wouldn’t mind a ‘write-off season’: just stay in the league and go again next season with the new manager. But the way we are playing and the players we have with Tom Bradshaw firing, hopefully Kevin Nisbet can come back in, Emakhu is just raw energy and pace and hopefully Zian Flemming comes back into form at the right time.
I do think if we can get a run going I do think we can sneak in but I’d take top 10, maybe 12th place. And obviously then push on next season with the transfer windows to bring in players that Edwards wants.
- We’re halfway through the campaign now. What’s your highlight and lowlight from Millwall’s season so far?
I definitely say the low point of the season for me especially was Leeds at home. You want to beat them everywhere, home or away. The hatred even I have for that club…
But turning up and being 3-0 down and it was the first time it’s made me want to up and leave. So it was difficult.
But the best part of the season so far I’d probably say is the 1-0 victory over Norwich. I feel like that’s going to be a very big game come end of the season, maybe that’s that the point that hopefully kicks us on. And to beat a team like Norwich at The Den is always good.
-
And finally with the transfer window open if you could take any player from another Championship club for Millwall, who are you picking?
It’s easy for any person to sit and say ‘I’ll take this player from that team and whatnot.’ But I really like Conor Chaplin from Ipswich. He’s just so good. He’s creative, he has a goal threat, he’s an all-round player, very versatile as well. He showed how good he was last season in League One and he’s stepped up again this season and shown the ability he has again this season.
I feel like he would fit our team quite well and especially if we could have had him and Flemming as CAMs (central attacking midfielders) together at some point. What a player.
Prediction for Saturday: Millwall in the FA Cup against teams in the Premier League or teams above us when we’re underdogs and at home… I reckon we could beat anyone. So I’m going to say: Millwall 2-1 Leicester
–
Prediction Table
In the last edition of the Fans Panel, Joe correctly predicted that Southampton would beat Millwall 1-0, propelling him to second in the table.
You get three points for guessing the right scoreline, one point if you only correct the right result (ie win, lose or draw) and zero points if you get the wrong result. There are no bonus points for correcting the right goalscorer.
Given the late inclusions of Matt and Tony, the table will now be decided on a ‘points-per-prediction’ basis rather than points alone ie someone who has registered two predictions and managed one point will have a score of 0.5.