Millwall (H) League One, 6 Feb 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

We welcome Neil Harris and his Millwall Lions to fortress Bescot in the hope that we can see a repeat of the recent away fixture on Boxing Day, which saw us bring three points home from the "New" Den courtesy of a Milan Lalkovic goal. That game was Millwall's third League One defeat on the trot but they've staged a comeback since then and are now in the play-off group, and it's worth noting that only two days after losing to us they visited Southend and trounced them 0-4 !! Fairly freescoring (only 3 less than ourselves), their leading trio of marksmen Gregory, Morison and O'Brien have 28 goals between them (10, 9 and 9). Recent League One form:

28 Dec Southend United (A) Won 0-4
2 Jan Barnsley (A) Lost 2-1
9 Jan Oldham Athletic (A) Won 1-2
17 Jan Port Vale (H) Won 3-1
23 Jan Chesterfield (A) Won 1-2
30 Jan Crewe Alexandra (H) Drew 1-1

They have also been involved in the Regional Final of the JP Trophy (remember that? :wink: ) with two games against Oxford United, losing 2-1 on aggregate. Significantly in the second leg played this week they had Mark Beevers sent off, so I would imagine he won't be available for selection for this game.

With Etheridge unlikely to figure MacGillivray is set to deputise, and the goal conceded at Doncaster can't be down to any failing on his part. In the absence of any other short term injuries the rest of the team virtually picks itself, the only caveat being whether Sean O'Driscoll feels the need to adopt different tactics for Millwall to those employed at the Keepmoat. Wait and see!!

Prediction....Many (many) years ago I witnessed Walsall demolish Millwall 7-0 or 7-1, and that would be fine, but in reality a scoreline of 2-0 isn't out of the question. Don't care who scores, but I'd love to see a repeat of that corner routine so beautifully executed by Romaine Sawyers. :D

[coop63]

I'm split on this one - on one hand I still feel we are overdue giving someone a right good battering and a good old 4-1 is in my mind :shock:

On the other hand we seem to be making a habit of allowing teams to come at us with Sawyers playing uncomfortably deep - last few games bear this out.. So my cautious side says a 2-2 battle.. :?

All that said, you can't falt the boys ability to grind out results (Donny being typical where we probably should have been 2-0 down at half time and they had a stonewall penalty shout turned down!!)

Decision time.... Bugger it - it's gonna be a goal fest innit? 4-1 it is then! :mrgreen:

5661 with 677 from Sarf of da river...

[scott_powell]

I can see us losing this one. 2-0 Millwall

[CooperTheSaddler]

Pretty confident about this one (God only knows why!). Can see the Saddlers shooting out of the starting gates, 3-0 winners, Bradshaw hat-trick.

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

Quietly confident.

3-1 Saddlers.

Milan, Morris & Bradshaw.

Hopefully we get to see Bryn Morris in action at some point.

[Mazza01]

It seems at the moment we keep running into teams just as their form is picking up!

So a real tough game ahead as Millwall will fancy their chances, for me this game could go either way so 2-1 or 1-2 take your pick either way I see it being a close affair.

UTS!

[JonnyOwen]

Think we'll edge this one.

[kshammer]

Always nice to welcome the boisterous, earthy wit of those rapscallians from Millwall.

3-1 us. Sawyers (2) and Bradshaw.

[Magic Man Fan]

Not sure why everyone is so confident, we're an away team specialist with half decent home form.

This won't be easy, and our record isn't great against them. 1-1. Forde, although if we get in front early I fancy us to scrape a win.

[Barren Flak]

I think there could be goals in this one.

Their defence is going to be of the make do and mend variety, and we don't have our come and catch it goalkeeper to deal with their direct, A la, oooofffff, style.

2-2 Paul Downing to channel his (very) inner Chris Nicholl with all four goals

[BathSaddler]

Not sure why everyone is so confident, we're an away team specialist with half decent home form.

This won't be easy, and our record isn't great against them. 1-1. Forde, although if we get in front early I fancy us to scrape a win.

Agreed MMF. We have taken 6 less points at home than away so far from the same number of games played, having not won either of our last two at Fortress Bescot. In addition, Millwall are a decent Play Off chasing side just down from the Championship, so 1-1 for me too. It would still represent a good return from the two matches with them IMO. Sawyers is due a goal so he'll get the equaliser in front of 4,883, including 650 from Bermondsey.

[chunkster]

as people have said. we just don't seem to put in a good performance at home. i know we as fans can sometimes have a negative effect on performances. but we need the team to come out all guns blazing right from the start. this will rouse the crown thereby lifting the team etc etc. but if we come out playing crab tippy tappy football the crowd start getting restless and that transfers to the players etc etc. so it all depends on the way we approach the game. i am going for a 2-1 win bradshaw and sawyers. in front of 5200. :)

[Walsallone]

Hardly the day for good football so I think we will find it difficult today....the weather will certainly help Millwall's more direct style...add in the referee...Mr Kettle so anything could happen! I will go 2-2

[chestersaddler]

.add in the referee...Mr Kettle so anything could happen!

I was boiling when I read that he was today's ref.

[SaddlerCrewe]

.add in the referee...Mr Kettle so anything could happen!

I was boiling when I read that he was today's ref.

Don't blow a fuse

[Ancient Moaner]

Regret that this has 1-1 written all over it, we always hope for better at the Bezza but it could be our achillies heel when it comes to the final push! Will SOD go for an attacking option and include his most influential attackers, or sit 'em on the bench again?

[SuperDon]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

[Ancient Moaner]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

WHAT!!! If I rush down the motorway, I could get there just in time to put on the gloves, at 68 I still have the agility of a cat, (still play in goal for 5 a side) got to be a better option surely? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[BathSaddler]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

Good luck to the lad, but what on earth has happened to MacGillivray?

[Ancient Moaner]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

Good luck to the lad, but what on earth has happened to MacGillivray?

Perhaps he has been snapped up by a Chinese billionaire for his new footy team, after hearing the score 8-2 which translates into Chinese as 'super great goalie'? :lol: :lol:

[SuperDon]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

Good luck to the lad, but what on earth has happened to MacGillivray?

Injured in training apparently.

[BathSaddler]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

Good luck to the lad, but what on earth has happened to MacGillivray?

Injured in training apparently.

Thought as much, cheers SuperDon :)

I'll take the point I predicted even more now!!

UTS

[gerryhatrick]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

Good luck to the lad, but what on earth has happened to MacGillivray?

Injured in training apparently.

Thought as much, cheers SuperDon :)

I'll take the point I predicted even more now!!

UTS

Dock half-a-crown from his pay, Jeff. That'll teach him not to hurt himself.

[Ancient Moaner]

Liam Roberts starts :shock:

Good luck to the lad, but what on earth has happened to MacGillivray?

Injured in training apparently.

Thought as much, cheers SuperDon :)

I'll take the point I predicted even more now!!

UTS

Dock half-a-crown from his pay, Jeff. That'll teach him not to hurt himself.

Not much change from his ten shillings pay packet then, poor lad. :D

[Ancient Moaner]

Why have we loaned this lad Morris (Bryn)? Has he a big arse which means he warms a mean bench? Wasting valuable funds? Note Lalk on the bench again, obviously doesn't feature in SODS's plans....what a waste of talent. Jury very much out on SOD at the moment.

[BathSaddler]

Romeo, Romeo booked for a foul on Rico on 14 minutes.

[BathSaddler]

Burton in front...

[BathSaddler]

Why have we loaned this lad Morris (Bryn)? Has he a big arse which means he warms a mean bench? Wasting valuable funds? Note Lalk on the bench again, obviously doesn't feature in SODS's plans....what a waste of talent. Jury very much out on SOD at the moment.

You can't really argue with the results overall so far, AM. Whilst I take your point about Lalkovic, at least the days of Jordan Cook making regular appearances appear to be over.

[sallian]

think we'll lose ....

Lalkovic and Morris still not playing and Rico Henry still being played out of position

0-1 or 1-2

[sallian]

I just jumped up saying "Yes Walsall winning, Lalkovic!"

Then realised that was an old link to the game at Millwall

But it proves Lalkovic should be on the pitch and not the bench