Millwall - The Lions Return

[Max]

King takes the helm

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Millwall fans have been left astonished and puzzled this summer morning as Kenny Jackett stepped down as Millwall manager, stating it was time for a 'fresh start and new strategy' for the clubs management. Kenny Jackett's career as a player only lasted till the age of 28, where an injury forced him into retirement. He played out his entire career at Watford, where he continued to delve into the management side of things there, his first season being the 1996-1997 season. Kenny went onto manage Swansea from 2004-2007, leading them to several trophies and also promotion. From there on he left for Millwall, where he resided at for 6 years - Kenny's time at The Den was a successful time for him, and the club. Once again Kenny masterminded promotion for the East London side.

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Kenny has left and taken charge of fellow Championship side Wolves, as seen above.

So, now everyone will be wondering - who is next? Millwall have taken no time to appoint unproven manager Max King as the new boss at The Den. Max brings no professional footballing experience or managerial experience, which will make this appointment seemingly somewhat ridiculous you may say? Max seemed a tad nervous at the press conference, however settled in as it got further in -

BBC News - 'Max you inherit a Millwall side which haven't been setting alight the Championship in recent seasons and are amongst those who are seen as possible relegation candidates, how do you intend to turn things around here with low funds and a small squad?'

Max King - 'It isn't a easy job here - but it's not an impossible one. There's some clear talent here with the likes of Trotter, Keogh, Hulse, Beevers and many others, it is certainly a challenge which I feel I can be successful at. Will that success be immediate? Who knows.'

The players certainly seem in two minds over this call by the board, as some of them quoted on twitter - Worth noting Max King's first announcement was to re-allow Millwall players to use the social networking, known as Twitter, after it was banned back in last January after player Alan Dunne was fined by the FA.

@ltrotter - cant believe old kens gone whats going on!!
@andyk - new boss for me, might be good for us though?
@abdou - change is good!! roll on new season boys

When asked on any new transfer targets, Lions boss King remained coy on any talk, however a loan move for United keeper Ben Amos has been rumoured as highly likely, also young Wigan striker Dicko also has been linked, along with out of favour Forest maestro Majewski.

 

[Max]

King chops and changes

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In what has already been a busy and somewhat troublesome week for the East London side, new boss Max King has shown intent and desire for success by adding a few names to his backroom staff and also playing staff, whilst removing some of the previous company.

King has already brought in his own right hand man as assistant manager in the form of Terry Harris from Dag & Red, with Joe Gallen, previously hired from Kenny Jackett's rein as boss, left without a job. Terry brings much experience to the club, with a 5 year spell with Dagneham his most noticeable aspect of his coaching career, where that side won promotion into the football league and also into the nPower League 2 play-offs, in 2010. In other news, Alan Hill has been hired as Director of football, along with Welshman Iwan Roberts in the coaching staff, followed by other names.

On the playing staff side of things, King has done well thus far. Bringing in steady 22 year old keeper Ben Amos on a season-long loan, which has been welcomed by Millwall support, much has the arrival of explosive Senegalese youngster Nouha Dicko from Wigan, also on a season-long loan. Millwall are waiting on the news of Radoslav Majewski as to whether he will be joining them on loan, however King has labelled it as a '50-50' deal, furthermore stating 'the lad has said he's interested but it's all down to the negotiations between us and Forest, nothing is for free as we all know.'

Out goings have seen Shaun Batt looking set to move on, with reportedly having the choice of Walsall or Carlisle as his destinations for the coming season on a free transfer. Alan Dunne has moved to Luton on a free transfer after a long spell at Millwall.

The Lions start the campaign officially with a trip to Barnet in the Capital One Cup, however their league season begins with a tough trip away to local rivals Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports.

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In other news, Millwall have announced plans to expand and upgrade the youth facilities of the club, rumoured to be costing the club around £1million pounds. Max King stated he was 'delighted' that the club were looking towards bringing youth through the academy and that it could 'vastly improve the club'.

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[Max]

'Don't panic'

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Millwall gaffer Max King has warned fans not to panic after it seems a move for Notts' Forest midfielder Majewski has all but fizzled out. Both clubs were unable to agree a monthly loan fee for the Polish international, with Radoslaw 'disappointed he was unable to make the move'.

It seems as if King will make the move the Spanish midfielder Jordi Gomez on loan for the season, from Premier League side Wigan, however King admitted it would be 'unlikely' that move would be completed before the Barnet game.

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Jordi had a very successful spell with Swansea last time he played in the Championship, however times at Wigan have been much harder for the Spaniard.

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Millwall aren't expected to name a full strength side against Barnet, with the game against Palace only 4 days later.

 

[Max]

Lions get the season underway


Barnet 0-3 Millwall (Marquis 2, Hulse)

A confident performance from King's men gets them onto winning ways. A brace from John Marquis and another by experienced frontman Rob Hulse was enough to secure a routine win against a sub standard Barnet side. Millwall will play Swansea in the second round, at the Liberty Stadium.

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BBC News - 'Your side looked pretty confident in they're play out there today, Max. Do you think your ready for the season ahead?'

Max King - 'I think we need to get another midfielder in as we're a little low for cover there, but of course I have confidence that the boys can go to Palace on Saturday and put in a good performance and hopefully get something from the game. It won't be easy and Palace will be up there this season but we know that and we're prepared.'

Crystal Palace 0-0 Millwall (MoM - Danny Shittu)

A battling Millwall side scrapped a point at Selhurst Park in what was certainly a good game of football, even though there was a clear lack of goals. Palace dominated mostly, however Millwall had the best chance of the game, when James Henry failed to convert a penalty for The Lions after Owen Garvan brought down Dicko in the area. Palace thought they had won it in the last minute when Aaron Wilbraham nodded in a Zaha cross, however much to Palace's anger was ruled out for offside. Replay's show that it was a clear offside.



Lowry ruled out for 3-4 months - King 'gutted'

Max King faces a massive blow for his as star left back Matt Lowry has been ruled out for 3-4 months with a torn calf muscle, after the Australian was applauded by both sets of supporters as he was stretchered off at Selhurst Park in the second half.
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SkySportsNews - 'As we all sadly saw today Matt was stretchered off today Max, just how bad does it look?'

Max King - 'It looks like he'll miss out for a good part of the season as things stand. We're all devastated for the lad, he's put 110% in at pre-season and he did again today. He's a fantastic player and great to work with and we'll greatly miss him.'

SkySportsNews - 'Will you look for a possible short term replacement?'

Max King - 'It's unlikely as things stand, no.'

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[Max]

Lions suffer further setback in midfield dilemma

Millwall have been shot down once again after Jordi Gomez opted for a switch to Mallorca on a season long loan, stating it was a more 'wise career move' for him. The Spaniard was a youth product of the Espanyol academy, yet never broke into the set-up there, however this may seem as an opportunity for the silky midfield man to get his career back on track. Millwall have been linked with a loan deal for Hull's Tom Cairney, and also rumours from Scotland suggest Inverness's Andrew Shinnie is also on King's radar, after the highly rated 23 year old put in a transfer request earlier this week. Crystal Palace and Hearts are also in the race for his signature, however no bid has been made.



(6-4) Millwall vs Bolton (13-8)

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Millwall are slight favourites in the clash against Bolton, according to SkyBet. Millwall look set to be without key men Liam Trotter and James Henry after they failed late fitness tests, however they are on the bench. Dany N'Guessan comes in for Henry, and Josh Wright in for Trotter. Adam Smith is still unfit and remains on the bench, whilst Malone comes in for the injured Lowry.

Bolton look set to name an unchanged side from the one that beat Peterbrough 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium last weekend.


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[Max]

Millwall 3-3 Bolton
(Henry, Malone, Osbourne)

This could well be one of the most entertaining games that Millwall fans have seen in quite some time as both sides threw caution to the wind and went at it in this Championship clash! A fair result in what proved to be an equal game - a injury time equaliser from Millwall player Karleigh Osbourne secured a vital point for The Lions and sent The Den wild.


BBC News - 'Max your side showed great character to come back twice from going behind, especially after you had taken the lead. What was said at half time?'

Max King - 'They knew what had to be done and they got the job done and that's all that matters. Hopefully now we can push on and get the first win, a positive is that we're unbeaten still but negative is obviously that we haven't got a win going yet, but I'm sure it will come - Peterbrough in 4 days time is the perfect opportunity.'


TeamTalk - 'Can you confirm the signing on Andrew Shinnie?'

Max King - 'Yes, Andrew will be at training first thing tomorrow morning I understand. We agreed a fee with Inverness and talks with the lad were more than simple, he was extremely interested in Millwall and working with us.'

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Shinnie, pictured above, is highly thought of in the Scotland set-up. The midfielder banged in 7 goals in 19 games for inverness last season, after joining on a free transfer after being released by Rangers, where Andrew came through the academy. It is thought Millwall have paid around the 400,000 pound mark for the 23 year old, on a 4 year deal.​

 

[Jxsh]

Nice to see you back posing mate!