More frustration

By Jr
February 13 2005

Gillingham 0 Millwall 0 12-1-05

After a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to QPR the previous week, the last thing Millwall fans wanted was more of the same away at struggling Gillingham.

However, that’s exactly how it panned out.

Putting the latest goal-less draw in perspective involves trawling through past statistics that show that the latest result is Millwall’s best at the Priestfield since a 1-1 draw in December 1998.

After that date, the Lions have crashed to defeat on five consecutive occasions.

So despite the gloom and doom around the Den, any point garnered at Gillingham can be deemed a success of sorts.

But the prevailing wind around the Cold Blow Lane End and the other home stands carries with it dreams of promotion and, after taking just one point from the last three home games, a victory was needed on the Lions’ travels.

Poor weather conditions helped put pay to Millwall’s attempt to keep up with the other play-off contenders, as player boss Dennis Wise later admitted.

Wise said: “The conditions and the weather didn't make for a good game and it wasn't fantastic.

"But I was very pleased with the players and we could have nicked it.

"I was pleased with the back four and the way we played in the second half, and the lads are disappointed that we haven't won the game.

"I have been trying to get in three players over the last four or five weeks, but I have been told that we can't have them.

"If you are looking to get promotion or into the top six, you have to have a go.

"The fans are clearly frustrated and I didn't think their booing was fair, but you have to get on with it."

Wise’s mood and promotion ambition has not been improved by the lack of available finance at the Den.

There had been speculation that Wise had been about to sign his former Chelsea team-mate Graeme Le Saux but, regardless of the truth of that particular story, the unavoidable fact is funds have not been made available.

However, there is a left back at the club now that Tony Craig has returned from his loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers.

Wise has in the past suggested he would prefer to recruit proven Premiership players, whenever possible, and given the performance of the youngsters at Wolves in the FA Cup in January there does seem to be sense in his mix-and-match policy when it comes to selecting established professionals alongside rookies.

Wise has been quoted as saying: “The new chairman has said that I’m not allowed to bring in any new players.”

But the new chairman, Jeff Burnige, is not due to take over Theo Paphitis’ role at the club until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, there have been suggestions in the media that former England international legend Paul Gascoigne will be offered a coaching role at the club.

With Stoke City visiting the Den on Saturday (kick off 3pm), Millwall need to start concentrating on matters on the pitch once more, after some unsettling times of late.