Moses Kaddu was at The Den to see Neil Harris’ Millwall beat struggling Doncaster and move level on points with sides in the League One play-off positions.
- Possession does not win games
Doncaster came into tonight’s game sitting 22nd in the table and Millwall 10th. It was therefore expected that Millwall would dominate possession while Doncaster would look to punish the home side through counter attacks and set pieces. Instead, Doncaster lined up in a 3-5-2 formation and Millwall in a 4-4-2. The Lions sat off, and while Doncaster enjoyed most of the ball throughout the whole game, Millwall were content to force the visitors into errors that enabled them to establish a 2-0 lead early on.
Doncaster might have enjoyed the bulk of possession, but it did not win them the game.
- All-for-one atmosphere could be key to Millwall’s promotion hopes
As the Doncaster keeper got into a push-and-shove with a Millwall ball boy, the crowd in unison stood and roared their support for the local lad before referee Charles Breakspear intervened.
The incident summed up the kind of stadium The Den is; fan, ball boy, even a chef – everybody is part of the organisation. The chef told Rising East: “I have another job, but I come here because Millwall has been good to me.”
This is a well-respected club, football wise, but it also gains admiration for the passion of the fans. This should help push Millwall further than they expect, even if the players whisper or avoid direct comment that they’re aiming for promotion.
The loyal fans scream like they expect to be at Wembley come the end of the season, pushing their team on. The fans in the Cold Blow Lane Stand did not go missing during the full 90 minutes.
If Millwall can manage to keep that atmosphere from top to bottom of the club, it can only aid their promotion push.
- Steve Morison will be vital for promotion
Tuesday’s win was hard-fought and if The Lions want to go up through straight promotion or playoffs, its inevitable there’ll be another 15 or more of these types of games in the season. When a team doesn’t necessarily play well or have possession for 90 minutes of a game, only a few chances might come your way and you’re expected to make the most out of them. Steve Morison exhibited how well he’ll need to play throughout the season. Just nine minutes into the game, and two chances in, Morison converted both and helped Millwall take all three points.
He may have only just scored three in his last 16 appearances, but performances like this could help to overcome many teams at The Den.
- Doncaster still have hope
After dominating most of the game in possession, Doncaster didn’t look like a team ready to pack their bags and find a home in League Two. Doncaster actually kept the ball really well and managed to create a few half chances.
If they could get their strikers like Nathan Tyson scoring, they could beat the drop. I think it’s only a matter of time before they start getting wins, and manager Darren Ferguson will fancy his chances of staying up once he manages to get his strikers to start scoring, and is able to get his defence organised enough to not give the opposition cheap chances.
- There’s nothing like being there
The cold air that carries the smell of burger, chips and pies on a Tuesday cannot be transmitted through your TV screen. Nor the passion of the fans. These are some of the many things that are a part of the experience of being at a live game.
Millwall did not disappoint as their fans vented their anger at former striker Danny N’Guessan being substituted. Hearing the roar and seeing the relief in their faces as three points were confirmed after the final whistle showed how much the supporters cared.
Football is more than just about the result or seeing a good goal, it is about meeting people who share the same interest, exchanging views on the new manager, or even just learning the chants to tease the opposition.
Live football in the Football League is well and truly alive and kicking, and at a time when top Premier League clubs are overpricing tickets, local clubs are easily accessible to give you that unrivalled experience of ‘being there’.