Wise: Livermore is not a left back

By Jr
August 8 2004

After a solid team performance in the opening game of the season and a clean-sheet, Millwall player boss Dennis Wise said he's still searching for a new left back, despite makeshift defender David Livermore's sterling work in that position.

So difficult has it been for Millwall to find new recruits willing to sign, a point away at newly promoted Plymouth Argyle was all that many Lions fans were hoping for.

In the final analysis though, player boss Dennis Wise was disappointed not to have taken all three.

He said: “Plymouth tired in the last 20 minutes and we came on a lot stronger.

“We’ve got an awful lot of young lads playing in front of big crowds and that’s why I needed new players. But I didn’t get them.”

Yet, the youngsters did show plenty of promise.

Alan Dunne at right back was solid defensively, while winger Peter Sweeney showed flashes of genius: floating in a right wing corner for Danny Dichio to head goalwards only to watch it get knocked off the line.

New loan signing Stefan Moore went just as close with a left shot on the turn that Pilgrims keeper Luke McCormick tipped wide.

Moore, perhaps, should have done better in a late one-on-one situation when his explosive pace got him through, but he blasted over.

That chance was set up by another new signing, Josh Simpson, who made his debut for the Lions.

Simpson was introduced after 34 minutes, when Paul Ifill limped off with calf trouble, and though the Canada international winger began shakily he quickly adapted to the pace of the game.

In the closing seconds, Simpson went close with a glancing header from Wise’s cross and afterwards the supplier of the chance paid tribute to the youngster.

Wise said: “We saw him in Canada on our pre-season tour, he played against us and gave us a hard time. He’s only 20 and has already got into Canada’s international team.

“Josh has got a lot of quality and a lot of pace about him. He looked lively and I’m pleased he got a game.

“I spoke to him just after the game and he didn’t realise how quick it was. Now he knows. At least he adapted to it, which was good.”

Also making his debut for Millwall was Jody Morris, and when asked whether he’d
had second thoughts about signing a player who has experienced some off-the-field
problems in the past Wise quipped: “We all have baggage don’t we? That doesn’t
bother me.

“I think Jody’s learned a lesson. During the pre-season, he’s probably been our best player.

“He did okay against Plymouth. He’s got a lot of quality and he’s a good person as
well.

“Jody just wants to enjoy his football and get himself back where he should be and
that is the Premiership.”

Wise acknowledges it will be difficult for Jody to reach the top flight with Millwall unless the squad can be added to.

The player boss said: “The fans have been fantastic but now they expect something from us.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the people we actually wanted in the summer so I know it’s going to be difficult.

“I still know I need to bring in some players to replace those who left. I need to get a left back in. Dave Livermore does a good job in there for me but he’s not a left back.

“But you have to get on with it. If you can walk away disappointed from Home Park
that you haven’t got the three points it’s pleasing in a way.”

After the visit of Leicester City to the Den on Saturday (kick off 3pm) - on the back of a home midweek encounter against Wigan Athletic - much more will be known about exactly how far the current crop of players can go.