Ref robbery at Stoke

By Jr
October 31 2004

Although a 1-0 away defeat at Stoke suggests on the surface that all is not well with Millwall’s attacking prowess, positives can be taken from the Lions’ ability to keep possession of the ball.......

Stoke 1 Millwall 0

Although a 1-0 away defeat at Stoke suggests on the surface that all is not well with Millwall’s attacking prowess, positives can be taken from the Lions’ ability to keep possession of the ball.

Perhaps that’s why assistant boss Ray Wilkins wasn’t ready to condemn Millwall’s efforts after the game. He said: "We battered Stoke in the first half when some of our football was exquisite.

"We missed enough chances to win three games and were also refused what I thought was a stonewall penalty.”

Alan Dunne, rapidly making the right midfield slot his own, was undoubtedly closest to scoring for Millwall with a 37th minute drive that struck the inside of the post.

Stoke keeper Ed de Goey denied Barry Hayles, and the former Premiership striker turned provider later - setting up two chances for Neil Harris.

However, the joint record league goalscorer for Millwall was in a profligate mood, and spurned those opportunities.

Harris’ second half replacement Josh Simpson almost earned Millwall a penalty when he was sent sprawling by Michael Duberry, but referee Uriah Rennie waved play on.

Wilkins said: “If that wasn’t a cast-iron penalty the I really don’t know what is.

“From a refereeing standpoint, we are not best pleased.”

Millwall’s first half dominance was overturned after the interval when Stoke - apparently inspired by Tony Pulis’ team talk - began to turn on the heat.

The Lions’ on loan keeper Graham Stack made a couple of saves to thwart Carl Asaba and Gerry Taggart - with the latter lucky to be on the pitch after grabbing Millwall player-boss Dennis Wise by the throat in full view of Rennie.

The upshot of that was a yellow card each for both players.

Millwall may have been bemoaning their luck, but their goalmouth began to live a charmed life as first Asaba and then Ade Akinbiyi sent headers crashing against the woodwork.

Akinbiyi finally undid Millwall in an attack down the right, and though there was a suspicion of offside, the striker managed to cross low to Chris Greenacre - who finished from close range under pressure to win the game in the final moments.

Possibly recognising that Millwall had been unfortunate not to pick up a well-earned point on their travels, Wilkins said: "There are a lot of positives to take out of the overall performance.

“We took the game to Stoke in their own backyard and they are one of the teams I expect to be there, or thereabouts at the end of the season.

"If we play like we did in the first 45 minutes for the rest of the season we will be in the top six by May without any shadow of a doubt.”

The Lions’ next two opponents are also be vying for promotion slots and now mid-table, Millwall need to get their own play-off aspirations back on track in a Friday night encounter with Sunderland following a local derby at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night. (Both matches kick off at 7.45pm.)