Dichio dismissal overshadows point earned

By Joe B,
April 19 2004

Although the race for the play-off spots in Division One is intensifying, Millwall could still consider the 2-2 draw at Notingham Forest last Saturday one point gained rather than two dropped.

There was a real danger of the Lions returning to south London empty-handed after David Johnson put the home side ahead with just 20 minutes remaining.

Without talismanic striker Danny Dichio - who had been sent off along with Forest defender Wes Morgan - following an off-the-ball altercation, there seemed to be no way back for Millwall.

But up popped substitute Nick Chadwick, late on, to ferociously volley home Mark McCammon’s lay-off and give the Lions a share of the spoils.

It was the Lions’ fourth draw in the last five league outings, but David Livermore’s opening goal from a curling free kick gave the visitors reason for optimism.

High spirits were short-lived, however, as Forest came bouncing back with a superb long-range strike from Republic of Ireland winger Andy Reid – which put them back on level terms.

After the match, Millwall assistant boss Ray Wilkins admitted his team had needed at least a point from the match.

“Defeat didn’t come into the equation,” he said.

When asked about the incident that saw Dichio dismissed, Wilkins replied: "I'm not doing an Arsene Wenger when I say I didn't see the whole incident, but I did look up and see Danny falling backwards.

"And I did see Danny raise his hands - as they both did - and if you do that then you should be sent off. We all know you can't do that on the football field.”

The length of Dichio’s suspension remains to be seen, but there are fears he could miss Millwall’s FA Cup final match against Manchester United on 22nd May.

Wilkins said: "As far as I'm concerned the cup final is on the back burner, it's a total irrelevance because we've got to get back into the play-off zone.

"I can put the cup final to the back of my mind, but then again I'm not a player am I?

"They're only human beings and it's understandable the cup final is in the back of their minds, but the FA Cup should be seen as a springboard from which we can take off and fly into the play-offs."

Generally a points total of around 75 is enough to ensure a position in the top six but, with so many teams challenging near the top, the Lions can’t afford too many more draws.

Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion are virtually assured automatic promotion, while Sunderland should make one of the play-off berths.

The question of which club takes the remaining three slots will probably be contested by Ipswich Town, Wigan Athletic, West Ham United, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Reading, Stoke City, Cardiff City and, of course, Millwall.
The Lions have a good opportunity to eliminate one of their play-off rivals from the race this Saturday when Reading visit the Den (kick off 3pm).