AFTER consecutive cup games, Millwall are back in League One action this Saturday as they take on rock-bottom Shrewsbury Town at The Den.
Secretary of the Shrewsbury Town Supporters’ Club, Steve Bromley, spoke to NewsAtDen for The View From The Opposition.
Name: Steve Bromley
Twitter: I’m not enough of a celebrity to be on it!
What made you become a Shrewsbury fan?: It’s simple, really – I’m born and bred in Shropshire.
My father took me to my first game against Mansfield Town in 1969 and I have been hooked ever since. I moved away from the Shropshire area for 30 years, but it’s now great to be back and involved with the club, as secretary of the Official Supporters’ Club of Shrewsbury Town.
With Christmas fast approaching, the Shrews are rooted to the foot of League One. Will there be a turnaround in the new year, or are you destined for League Two?: I believe December is going to be a very important month for us. With only one home game against Bristol Rovers and trips to Millwall, Bolton and Rochdale, we need to stay in touch at the bottom. If the gap gets too big, then I’m afraid relegation may be on the cards. If we can stay in touch, then Paul Hurst will hopefully be able to strengthen the team in January and build an escape.
Millwall’s league form has picked up and they now find themselves on the brink of the play-offs – how do you feel the Lions will fare in the second half of the season?: Millwall appear to have made a similar start to last season. The New Den is a very difficult place to go for any team, so I expect Millwall to come on strong again as the season goes on, perhaps coming up short of an automatic promotion spot, but certainly another shot at the play-offs.
Millwall can probably count themselves unlucky last season, coming across Barnsley, who were playing the best football in the league at that time.
Which Shrews will Neil Harris’ side have to watch out for on Saturday? Likewise, which Millwall players will your club be most worried about?: For Shrewsbury, striker Ivan Toney. On loan from championship side Newcastle, Toney hasn’t made the impact we had been hoping for yet, but he is more than capable on his day. He’s comfortable on the ball and certainly a threat on the ground or in the air.
Junior Brown has played the majority of his time at left-back during his Shrewsbury career but over the last few games Paul Hurst has moved him back to his more natural left-wing position. If he can relish the more attacking role and find some space to roam, he is capable of providing assists and scoring goals. Also, Ian Black is a dogged midfielder who always puts a shift in and is not frightened of a tough tackle.
For Millwall, Lee Gregory and Aiden O’Brien. Gregory is a more than capable striker who has already scored seven times this season, after finishing with 27 last time out. A proven goal scorer with a skill-set of creator or finisher, he will be one to watch.
O’Brien is still progressing and I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps up to the highest level. He has already registered nine goals this season in all competitions.
Finally, a score prediction?: As much as I would like the Shrews to pull off a surprise, recent form and history points to a Millwall win. We must be due a goal, so I will go with the same score as last year’s fixture: Millwall 3-1 Shrewsbury Town.