The gaffer confirmed in today's press conference that Ayite and Ojo are again out but otherwise everyone is fine.
Millwall are well organised and tenacious. Their strategy, epitomised by 'old boy' Shaun Hutchinson, is "they shall not pass".
Expect them to play 4-4-2 and not be bothered about possession - they've made about 10,000 fewer passes than us this season. But they do get the ball into the opposition half at every opportunity ... and quickly. A particular strength is in the air, at both ends of the pitch, so as you might imagine set pieces play an important part of their game. Boss Neil Harris will be without defender Byron Webster but doubt if that will bother him too much, since he has good back up. He might miss not having midfielder Ben Thompson available though which brings the possibility of that rogue Ryan Tunnicliffe appearing, although probably only from the bench.
Obviously they'll be fighting to stay in the play offs and hang on to two current records - unbeaten in 17 games and not having lost at the Den since November. The danger to us is in the 1st minute of each half (a disproportionate number of their goals have been scored then) when Steve Morison is at his most lethal.
For us, as ever it's that vexatious right wing spot which is the only one at issue. Not sure that Piazon will be strong enough (in the physical sense) for the Den. Kebano just seems out of favour all round and Christie didn't do himself any favours last weekend when he came on against Brentford last weekend. So, where does that leave us given that the other contenders Ayite and Ojo are injured? Play safe and plump for Piazon or do something different?
'Different' would be my choice. Let Kamara bulldoze his way into the game - seem to remember he did that quite effectively against Bolton from the right side. Might require a slight adjustment in formation however:
............................Bettinelli.....
..Fredericks....Odoi.....Ream.....Targett..
...........................McDonald...
.......Cairney.....Johansen...Sessegnon..
..........Kamara...........Mitrovic...
Millwall are well organised and tenacious. Their strategy, epitomised by 'old boy' Shaun Hutchinson, is "they shall not pass".
Expect them to play 4-4-2 and not be bothered about possession - they've made about 10,000 fewer passes than us this season. But they do get the ball into the opposition half at every opportunity ... and quickly. A particular strength is in the air, at both ends of the pitch, so as you might imagine set pieces play an important part of their game. Boss Neil Harris will be without defender Byron Webster but doubt if that will bother him too much, since he has good back up. He might miss not having midfielder Ben Thompson available though which brings the possibility of that rogue Ryan Tunnicliffe appearing, although probably only from the bench.
Obviously they'll be fighting to stay in the play offs and hang on to two current records - unbeaten in 17 games and not having lost at the Den since November. The danger to us is in the 1st minute of each half (a disproportionate number of their goals have been scored then) when Steve Morison is at his most lethal.
For us, as ever it's that vexatious right wing spot which is the only one at issue. Not sure that Piazon will be strong enough (in the physical sense) for the Den. Kebano just seems out of favour all round and Christie didn't do himself any favours last weekend when he came on against Brentford last weekend. So, where does that leave us given that the other contenders Ayite and Ojo are injured? Play safe and plump for Piazon or do something different?
'Different' would be my choice. Let Kamara bulldoze his way into the game - seem to remember he did that quite effectively against Bolton from the right side. Might require a slight adjustment in formation however:
............................Bettinelli.....
..Fredericks....Odoi.....Ream.....Targett..
...........................McDonald...
.......Cairney.....Johansen...Sessegnon..
..........Kamara...........Mitrovic...
