We look completely different than the weekend. Possibly a comment on Millwall, not really the Millwall of old - they’ve got a new manager in for his third game in charge. Possibly a bit too green? Trying to implement a possession style of football that clearly isn’t working on this evidence. They’re not really pressing us. For us, we’re much more confident on the ball. The early goal helped. Our wide players are getting plenty of time and space. Tuanzebe looking assured. That Morsy and Luongo partnership working well.
A decent outing from Town, but we’ve got to be keeping a clean sheet. Defence were statues again. We are eating up the games, only five more matches to the half way mark.
I thought in the first 5 minutes Millwall looked like they were trying to recreate WBA and was concerned it was going to take a similar pattern however we got the first goal and the completely controlled the game except for the odd spell. We were superb... Luongo and Morsy what a combination..I really like the look of Taylor but he's going to struggle to get in with those 2, they are the foundation of our form this season and last. Tonight also shows me how much we've missed a fit Burns, he just offers a different dimension to the team. Hirst was superb as was Chaplin (although he did give away possession a little easily on a couple of occasions). I also thought Clarke had a much more solid game tonight and actually thought he got Tuanzebe out of trouble a couple of times who in general I also thought looked good although he did wander out of the back 4 a couple of times with Clarke dropping deeper not sure if that was a tactical thing or just 2 players not quite sure of themselves positionally. I thought apart from the first few minutes Millwall looked pretty poor, actually reminded me of a few of the league 1 teams we played last season. We should've scored more and no idea how we lost the second half.
We're definitely as good as people think, literally apart from Leicester no team has had this good a start to the division ever let a lone a newly promoted one add to the fact we've basically been playing with our second choice keeper all season. We are not where we are through luck or pluckyness we are there through team work, togetherness but also quality. We are the real deal and nearly half way through a season, only 1 team really has effectively stopped us playing on a day where our forward players weren't quite on it. We might not achieve promotion but we are certainly in the race. It's amazing how one below average performance can open up the wounds of the past
I was feeling groggy after covid vacc, so missed it. Sounds like a convincing performance. I will watch replay this morning. Spanish & I, once again, the only ones who got the score right!
It seemed as though the wheels were coming off. After West Brom we were staring down the barrel at a string of dubious performances and poor results with Swansea the only exception. We’ve only beaten Millwall here but by the end of December we’ll know where we really are. The last time we were coming up against promotion rivals we failed to beat either Plymouth or Sheffield Wednesday and then went on to comfortably beat Derby, Bolton and thump Charlton, Barnsley and Peterborough. It was an incredible effort and here we find ourselves a division higher already in a similar scenario. This time though, instead of steel at the back we have play dough. A repeat of those sorts of scorelines - 3-0s and the occasional 6-0 in December would be nice.
I couldn’t believe that millwall let us play exactly how we wanted to. No closing down etc and you give this team, that much space, we will punish you. Decent performances right across the team and even managed to change the front 4 with 25 mins left with an eye on Saturday (game I’ll miss as out of the country). Really cold at the game and don’t believe there was over 27000 at the game. My guess is that some season ticket holders stayed home and watched on tv. For me, it was well worth the 4 train, 3 1/2 hour journey home. Although, don’t think I’d be saying that had we lost
With very few exceptions, even when the opposition presses us, they can only keep it up for half an hour. Unless you are a top team and have the fitness levels and do it every week I don’t think you can have any success by setting out to press us. As an opposition manager I’d be saying when we’re in possession run at them, get bodies forward, attack their goal and try to score more than they do.
We were brilliant in the first half with well taken goals admittedly against a poor Millwall side which set us up for a practice mach of a second half, more goals would have been great and a clean sheet welcome but its an easy 3 points which will be valuable with Leicester only drawing. Theres some really tough matches on the way against much better opposition but results and performances like this will stand us in good stead when we dont win matches. I dont understand the mass 4 in one go subs and why McK stands by the consistently useless Jackson, it unsettled the side leading to Millwall scoring so surely two subs at a time would be better ?
The gaffers take on the game. Convincing performance and all round boost to our confidence, against a poor Milwall. After being out thought and out played by the Baggies, who have built a strong team around premier & championship players, we produced a very different performance. Terrific 1st half, fast, flowing, incisive passing, use of wide players. Burns on fire again, what a difference when he plays. Set up 2 superbly taken goals. The dynamic combination of Morsy & Luongo controlled the game. Massimo's return was key. Good to see the interplay of Hirst, Chappers & Broadie. Some very clever touches. Davis again crosses fine ball for Broadie to head home. Tuanzebe was a strong presence and showed nice, clean passes. If we can keep him fit, he will be a class act. Defense only tested a few times, and no-one challenged for their goal. Clarke surprised me, played better than his previous outings. 2nd half was a slower, energy saving affair, with 4 subs coming on disrupting our fluency. A few cameo dribbles from Hutch. Not sure what Jackson brings to the party. Some bright spells which could have resulted in 2 or 3 more goals. Enjoyable, entertaining and a very good game, but as KM said, not perfect.
Have to agree I thought it changed the flow of the game and meant we lost the ball alot easier up top than before, it's not the first time this has happened. Like you say I'd much rather integrate 1 change at a time to try and not disrupt the flow but I also think it has something to do with being able to have 5 subs but over three occasions.
