Lions off the boil

By Jr
September 19 2004

Millwall lost at home for the second time this season on Sunday, as Danny Webber and Heidar Helguson condemned the Lions to defeat against Watford.

It is not uncommon for teams to go off the boil after playing European football, but this was not used as an excuse by Millwall assistant boss Ray Wilkins.

When asked if the level of performance was a reaction to the Lions’ historic UEFA clash against Ferencvaros, Wilkins replied: “I wouldn’t like to think so.

“We did okay against Ferencvaros, but the best team won on Sunday.

“We didn’t appear to be at the races.

“The disappointing aspect is we play 46 of these league games and hopefully more if we make the play-offs.”

Promotion with such a small squad would be an astounding achievement, especially given the lack of goals in the team.

Danny Dichio posed the main threat to Watford’s goal, but his second yellow card and subsequent marching orders curtailed his involvement and now he will serve an automatic one-match suspension.

Quite how referee Paul Taylor decided that Dichio was deserving of a booking, let alone a dismissal, was something of a moot point.

It was a question that Wilkins refused to be drawn on: “It’s up to the journalists to write what they thought of the referee, not for me to say.”

Wilkins did, however, comment on Dichio’s disallowed goal from a first half Peter Sweeney corner: “There didn’t look to be much wrong with it, from where I was standing.”

Dichio was a constant thorn in Watford’s side, but the referee seemed determined to penalise the big striker when he challenged for high balls - rendering his contribution relatively ineffective.

Dichio’s performance was remarkable though given that he was playing through the pain barrier.

Wilkins explained: “Danny has a slight tear. He seems to be improving day by day.”

Canada international Adrian Serioux was also nursing an injury and was withdrawn at half time, as was Stefan Moore.

Although the introduction of Paul Ifill and player boss Dennis Wise improved some aspects of Millwall’s performance, there was still very little real penetration in the Lions attack.

Millwall had started with an extremely inexperienced side with Barry Cogan on the right wing, Josh Simpson at left back, Marvin Elliott in midfield alongside Serioux, with Moore upfront and Sweeney on the left wing.

Of those 6 players, Scotland Under 21 international Sweeney has started the most league games, but with only 26 starts under his belt even he may need more experience around him.

But with skipper Kevin Muscat already back and Ifill nearing full fitness, perhaps Millwall can begin to get their promotion campaign back on track.
Following the visit of Derby County to the Den on Wednesday night (kick off 7.45pm) Millwall face a trip to bottom-of-the table Rotherham United on Saturday (kick off 3pm).

Only Rotherham have scored less goals than the Lions in the Coca Cola Championship so far this season, so perhaps many pundits will be predicting a repeat of last season’s 0-0 draw in the corresponding fixture.