Isn’t it strange how you occasionally struggle with spelling some simple words?
Well, I do anyway and “Millwall” is one of them.
Hopefully I’ve spelled it correctly, with two “l”s.
Enough of that waffle and while I see this as possibly a tougher test than it seems on paper, I see no reason to not be confident in getting yet another three points.
Well, I say that, but there is of course the fact that we’re going for ten consecutive wins for the first time ever. When you consider our illustrious history and the fact that at one time we were the world’s biggest and most successful club, that’s no mean feat.
Even if it’s not at the highest level.
The trouble is, now we’ve equalled the record, we’re bound to lose a game at some time.
Fortunately I don’t think it will be tomorrow, although perversely, this might actually be the best game to lose, as many of us see it as a banana skin anyway and beating Norwich and Leeds may well prove to be more important psychologically.
I’m sure some of you will have opinions that don’t see things like me though and that’s fair enough. The three points in the bag would see us in a good position and you may feel we need them, if you’re not confident with us facing Leeds and Norwich (which I am).
Squad news and the big one is that Tammy Abraham is definitely out with his shoulder injury. Of course, this is bad news, but I don’t think it’s as bad as is being made out by some of the click-bait sites.
Looking at the last six games, here’s what I’m seeing goal-wise;
Abraham 3
Adomah 3
Grealish 2
McGinn 2
Hourihane, Kodjia, Mings and El Ghazi all on one.
My “O” level maths makes that 14 goals in six games, by the way; not too shabby at all.
The point being that, as good as Tammy has been for us, we’re not solely reliant on him and have goals throughout the side.
Plus Kodjia should be available and with Davis also available as an option, it’s not the end of the world for me.
Axel Tuanzebe’s injury isn’t as bad as was feared and he too should be available.
Hause is out, because of his hip problem, but Elphick and Chester are training again, although I doubt they’ll be called on.
Otherwise, we’re all good.
As for Millwall, they have Ben Thompson as a major doubt after he went off with a hamstring problem on Friday.
That’s possibly good news for us, as their manager, Neil Harris has marked him as their best player in recent weeks.
At the end of the day, Millwall will be fighting for survival, as they sit one place above the relegation zone, but they aren’t where they are for no reason.
Yes, they’re tough battlers and we have a poor record against them recently, but just as some of us saw Rotherham and Bolton as banana skin games, I think our quality will show out.
We are nothing like the team we have been under Bruce and I fully expect us to attack them to death in front of another sell-out crowd on a roasting hot day.
I’m going to predict a 2-1 victory.
UTV!
Green and Hourihane on for Adomah and Whelan.
Whelan hasn’t done anything wrong but Adomah has been quiet.
More about fresh legs than anything, imo.
Bloody hell Steer, why did you go for that one???
Davis coming on for Kodjia.
Millwall looking dangerous now.
Luckily I’m wearing brown trousers….
lol
Morrison for Tunnycliff.
Millwall going for it and it might cost them.
Beaut volley from Green then.
Yes, have that!
10 out of 10!
What an easter this has been!
YEEESSSS!
1-0 Even the greatest teams have to grind out wins sometimes and I always hate having to play teams in the relegation zone and especially Millwall.
Crucial, crucial three points.
10/10
brilliant 10 wins from 10 not a classic but very efficient win in 1st gear.
Win ugly – not at their best but great win,
Davis looked so much better than Kodjia when he came on although fair play to Kodjia for the goal.
Now hoping results go for us this afternoon – yep I’m being greedy 🙂
UTV
Club record 10 out of 10. Brilliant achievement and although today we weren’t at our best, we were very solid and professional in seeing the game out.
75 points now. That means that, with our superior GD, Bristol can’t lose a game. They’ll need 3 wins and a draw while Derby would need to win all four left.
And that’s presuming that we don’t get anything from Leeds and Norwich!
Unless we have a catastrophe, our goal difference means that we are in the play offs.
Big question: Do we rest McGinn to avoid him missing play off matches or do we play best team to keep winning momentum?
Also Derby have to play Bristol City which means that both of them are unable to overtake us so we’re confirmed in the playoffs – just what position is to be determined.