Another nail in our hopes

By Jr
December 5 2004

The Lions’ promotion ambitions took another knock last Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Sheffield United. The Blades recorded their first victory at the Den in almost 22 years, so no wonder their manager Neil Warnock was cock-a-hoop with the result.

Millwall 1 Sheff Utd 2 4-11-04

The Lions’ promotion ambitions took another knock last Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Sheffield United.

The Blades recorded their first victory at the Den in almost 22 years, so no wonder their manager Neil Warnock was cock-a-hoop with the result.

Warnock was less pleased by an incident that took place in the players’ tunnel at half time, which culminated in the dismissal of Millwall skipper Kevin Muscat and United keeper Paddy Kenny.

Warnock said: “We have someone filming us this season for a TV programme, and we are hoping that our man has it on video.

"I would love to see the video come out. Paddy Kenny has a balloon on his forehead like you have never seen. I will take the video to the FA myself to ensure it gets there.

"If somebody head-butted me like somebody has head-butted Kenny, then I would chin him.

"We know who it is, but that is not for me to say."

With Sheffield United lacking a recognised goalkeeper after the interval, many Millwall fans believed their side would go on to dominate a 10-a-side game.

But last time Phil Jagielka filled in for Kenny the Blades were victorious, and once again the England Under 21 international defender excelled in a make shift role.

However, Jagielka could do nothing to prevent Millwall scoring the opening goal in the 59th minute.

Peter Sweeney, returning from injury, swung in a curling free kick for Mark Phillips to head in his first goal for the club.

Had Paul Ifill added to the scoreline, when Morris headed down another Sweeney cross, the Blades may have found a comeback impossible.

But Jagielka dived low to save Ifill’s shot on the turn, and 8 minutes later United were level.

Warnock had boldly thrown on two attackers, Danny Cadamarteri and Andy Liddell, and it was the latter who did the damage with a dubiously awarded free kick.

Millwall’s on loan keeper Graham Stack got a hand to it, but Liddell’s ferocious effort spun in anyway.

The Lions’ confidence visibly drained away, as the fans began to make their displeasure known.

The tireless Barry Hayles left the field to a standing ovation just 5 minutes after Millwall’s opener and, judging by the boos at Jo Tessem’s introduction, the decision was not popular.

After the equaliser some parts of the ground began to chant: “Super Neil Harris” voicing their discontent that the popular striker was allowed to leave on a month’s loan to Cardiff City.

Many Millwall fans would have liked to have seen Harris break Teddy Sheringham’s long standing goalscoring record, even though his departure at the end of the season has seemed inevitable for some time.

However, putting sentiment aside, with only 1 goals in 15 appearances for Millwall during this campaign and less than a goal every four games at this level, perhaps Harris would have been an unlikely saviour.

Just proving it could get worse for Millwall, Derek Geary powered an unstoppable volley past Stack six minutes from time for the Blades to bag all three points.

Devoid of confidence, the Lions had little to offer in reply, and even the normally inspirational Ifill - who scored a left foot screamer in the 2-1 midweek defeat at Crewe - was significantly under par.

He was not alone in that respect.

New signing Scott Dobie was withdrawn after a disappointing first half and, after the match, injured player boss Dennis Wise explained his decision: “The forwards are there to score goals, and they are not doing that."

After a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night (a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup third round) the Lions take on struggling Brighton in a match that will be highly charged with the return to the Den of former boss Mark McGhee and ex-Millwall striker Steve Claridge.