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Millwall 2 - 0 Nottingham Forest

Discussion in 'Millwall' started by It's Saturday on Cold Blow Lane..., Aug 13, 2011.

  1. It's Saturday on Cold Blow Lane...

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    Darius Henderson’s 2nd goal in two games and Liam Trotter’s late strike claimed all 3 points for Millwall, who ran out 2-0 winners over Nottingham Forest down The Den. Henderson converted a corner with yet another header to give the Lions the Lead after just 7 minutes, whilst Trotter tapped in from close range with 15 minutes left on the clock to give the Lions their 1st win of the Championship campaign.

    Millwall gaffer Kenny Jackett kept the same team that earned a draw at Play-off finalists Reading last weekend, opting to leave new-boy Dani N’Guessan on the bench after he scored the only goal in the Lion’s midweek cup exploits at Plymouth.

    With the home crowd in full voice as the teams came out, it didn’t take long for the hosts to pile the pressure on their Northern counterparts. James Henry on the wing for ‘Wall was creator of the early chances for the home side, tricking and teasing his way down the right hand side. With 7 minutes on the clock, the Lions earned a corner as cleared away from a Forest defender. Henry took the set piece, whipping the ball in as Henderson rose highest to steer the ball home on his home debut.

    Millwall carried on in the same manner, getting amongst the Forest players, not giving them long to try and get themselves together. Buouzza’s floating cross from the right to the back post was narrowly cleared away as Henderson was homing in on his 2nd of the game.

    But as the half went on, Forest stared to get themselves back in the game. David Forde, the Lion’s keeper, gave the home stands a heart in mouth moment when he tried to usher a harmless through-ball out of play. A Forest player didn’t give up the chase and nipped round the outside of the keeper to poke the ball back into the box, but a ‘Wall defender was quickest to react to clear the danger.

    Lewis McGugan drove wide for the visitors and Andy Reid’s vicious 25 yard strike was inches from the mark, which half of the visiting fans down the other end of the ground thought was in.

    Millwall adopted a counter-attack style of play, hoping to catch Forest on the break. And it nearly worked. As forest pushed bodies forward, the ball was cleared and Henry squirmed the ball past his marker on the half way line. The winger carried the ball to the by-line but his poor pass into youngster Johnny Marquis was cleared away.

    Five minutes before half-time the exact same situation arose again, but Henry this time cut inside the defender before cracking just over the bar from 18 yards out. To end the half McGugan skied a 30 yard free-kick for Forest.

    The 2nd half started with Forest coming at Millwall. The wolly with the brolly (though the accessory was absent from proceedings today) must have given his men a right talking to (in his now mix-up Dutch, German, Northern accent). Trotter and Tam Mkandawire were losing their grip on the midfield, with Trotter looking half the player he usually is.

    On the hour Forest created their best chance of the afternoon. They pushed the ball round in the middle before setting Rob Finley on this way down the left. He got himself into the box before unleashing a low drive that clipped the post.
    Bouazza hammered a 35 yard free-kick straight at Lee Camp, who parried it back into the box but Forest cleared.

    With the game still only 1-0 and on tender-hooks, Kenny Jackett opted to make a change. It was home debutant Henderson coming off to a standing ovation, to make way for another home debutant in N’Guessan, on loan from Leicester.

    5 minutes later and with little happening, Jackett made another substitution. Marquis, who chased everything and harassed the Forest back-line all game was brought off whilst Jimmy Abdou was introduced to shore up the midfield.

    And with these subs, Millwall grew in strength. Trotter was given a free-role whilst N’Guessan was to play up top on his own. N’guessan was causing all sorts of problems at the back for Forest as his power and pace was hard to contain.

    Forest, pushing hard to get something out of the game were caught short on 75 minutes. Skipper Paul Robinson, who was steady and assured all afternoon, broke down a move by Forest and found Jimmy in the middle of the park. He pushed the ball through to the right where N’Guessen picked the ball up. He ran at the full-back before banging in a low cross toward the back post. It missed everyone attacking and defending the ball until it found Trotter, whose late run to the back post was not picked up, and the Lion’s midfielder slotted home from 6 yards to wrap up the game.

    With last week’s 2-0 goal lead being stolen from Millwall, they were not about to let it happen two weeks on the spin. Not content to sit on just a two goal lead, ‘Wall piled forward for more. Henry poked the ball through for Trotter, who beat his man into the box but his side-foot strike was well saved by Camp in goal for Forest. Then, with a couple of minutes left on the clock, N’Guessan was found on the right by Mkandawire, who then made haste towards the penalty spot. N’Guessan spotted the run, dinked in an inch perfect cross into Mkandawire’s path who met the ball with knee or hip on the 6 yard line but rattled the wrong side of the post.

    The final whistle was greeted with cheers and celebration as Millwall, who have proved again that against opposition from last season’s play-offs, can get the job done.

    The back-four held firm and only gave Forest, tipped for big things again this season, one clear-cut chance all game. The midfield looked intimidating going forward on the wings. Both Buoazza and Henry can deliver a fantastic cross with pace, and can both strike a ball. Trotter didn’t look up to his best for 75 minutes, but after the goal, he was showing the form that got him so many plaudits last season. Up top, with the service from the wings, there are goals to be had.
     
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  2. MillwallGibbs

    MillwallGibbs Member

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    I disagreed with the sub of Henderson for N'Guessen, I thought Marquis should have gone off then as his legs had gone, while Hendo still had some running in him. Wored out in the end but I hate how we go to 4-5-1 again after last week, and as soon as we did we sat back and invited the pressure. Still, good result, N'Guesen looks good, pace, strength, great touch and a good cross on him!
    Also have to mention Jimmy - was perhaps our best player today and was only on the pitch 15 mins. Trotter didn't look fit, although after about an hour started playing better.

    Come on you Lions! 4th in the league and leeds in the relegation zone. How it should be.
     
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  3. benwall

    benwall Member

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    Great report, you have a good memory!

    Gibbs: agree, Hendo was one of our best players today and Marquis didn't have much luck. I would've took him off before hendo but we got the 3 points so kenny got it right eh :)
     
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  4. Millwallsteve

    Millwallsteve Waterloo's Finest
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    I thought Del boy had an in and out game as he was good in patches but looked lethargic at other times so put it down to not being fully match fit or sharp as well as the slight injury he picked up recently. Early in the 2nd half when a ball was played over his head which it looked like he could have got to if he'd made the effort. Also thought Hendo should have stayed on instead of Marquis as he looked dead on his feet.

    All in all a good comfortable win in the end and once we got the 2nd goal cushion we looked like we'd score every time we went forward with N’Guessan impressing me a lot with his pace and power and he will frighten the **** out of a lot of defences this season like Forest's **** themselves with him running at them. Jimmy coming on in the 2nd half seemed to energise us going forward with N’Guessan providing a brilliant outlet on the right.

    Forest reminded me of Arsenal with bags of possession but did **** all with it with nothing in the final third. <ok>
     
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