It’s now only one win in the last seven games for Millwall, as they were held to two successive draws at The Den in their previous home games.
Despite credible draws against Birmingham City and Bristol City, their game against Birmingham was marred by an alleged abusive comment.
Initially heard by Birmingham Manager Pep Clotet in the first half, he reported it to the officials, as part of the protocol for managers, who then spoke to Gary Rowett, with a message stating that ‘Racism is not welcome anywhere, it’s not ok’, displayed on the big screen at The Den.
On this, Rowett stated, “Pep’s heard an abusive comment and reported it to the officials, which is what we are told to do. I haven’t heard the comment, so I don’t know what has been allegedly said. My stance on it is really simple, if there has been an abusive comment, I don’t think there is any place, in any football stadium, or anywhere for that matter to condone that type of behaviour”. He then added, “We had it here recently that an allegation was made, and when things get said because it’s Millwall the slur automatically gets on us, and if it is proven to be said then certain action I’m sure will be taken.”
On the game itself, Jon Dadi Bodvasson went closest for the hosts in the second half, drawing out a superb save from Lee Camp, who also kept out a fierce Jayson Molumby drive moments before. Birmingham had a goal disallowed for a foul by Harlee Dean on Millwall’s Jake Cooper before Kristian Pedersen volleyed in, only for the away fans’ celebrations to be short lived.
Rowett On His Forwards
Rowett lamented the missing piece in the final third, “we’ve done everything we can to win the game, bringing (Tom) Bradshaw and (Matt) Smith on. We had all of our attacking players on, Mahlon Romeo was almost playing as a right winger, Murray Wallace was almost playing as a left winger, so we threw caution to the wind with half an hour to go, and we started to get in down the sides with Jed Wallace and Romeo linking up really well, but we just could not find the final ball tonight.”
Mason Bennett was also handed his first start for Millwall after joining on loan from Derby, with the manager impressed by his impact. “I thought ‘Mase’ for the first 30 minutes was bright, showed in one or two areas like he did at the weekend (against Wigan). It was difficult for him coming in from the start, but we haven’t been scoring enough goals recently, so it was a gamble. I thought Jon Dadi (Bodvasson) down the middle deserved a chance and I thought Mason Bennett deserved a chance out on the left, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be for us tonight.”
Misfiring Millwall
Rowett is right, Millwall have only scored three goals in their last seven games, which doesn’t make for good reading for The Lions. In fact, they’re currently the third lowest scorers in the league with 41 goals, but they do boast one of the best defences in the league which shows where their issues have been this season. With Bennett being given minutes against Birmingham, the Millwall faithful will be hoping Bennett can be an asset for Millwall in their final 10 games of the season as they attempt to mount a late charge for the playoffs.
