Pompey_Dan in the Lion's Den

[Pompey_Dan]

MARCH UPDATE

Walsall v Millwall
View attachment 48458
«Harris (8.8)
–2nd​

Millwall's performance today was a masterclass in counter attacking football, they enjoyed less possession and attempted less shots than their opponents but still came away from the Bescot Stadium 3-0 winners.
Millwall's first was scored by Lions top scorer Neil Harris, after only 4 minutes Harris turned his marker in the Walsall area and beat 'keeper Clayton Ince at his near post. Harris' movement and speed of thought was exemplary throughout the game and he got a second goal on 60 minutes. The Walsall defence had failed to pick up Harris' late run into the box but Anton Jongsma had spotted it and played the ball straight to his feet. Harris was clear through on goal and made no mistake with his shot as he thumped the ball past Ince. It was 3-0 in the 88th minute as Millwall winger Chris Hackett lofted a high ball forward and Steve Morison controlled it on his chest before striking a half volley past the advancing keeper.​

Millwall v Charlton
View attachment 48459
«Morison (8.8)
–2nd​

Just eight miles seperate Millwall from today's opponents Charlton Athletic, but in League One Charlton are 9 places and 29 points below Millwall and after 11 minutes it looked like the gap would widen. Millwall's top scorer turned provider as Neil Harris played Steve Morison in on goal and he opened the scoring. On 51 minutes Addick's striker Deon Burton was pushed over by Tony Craig and won a penalty. Burton got up and dusted himself off to score from the spot and level the scores. Millwall restored their lead in the 59th minute as David Martin made a run from his own half before cutting the ball back. Millwall had five players in the Charlton area but it was Steve Morison who picked up Martin's pass and he slammed the ball low past the goalkeeper. But with six minutes remaining Charlton pulled level again as Liam Trotter failed to clear a corner any further than Deon Burton and he wasted no time in returning the ball past David Forde in the Millwall goal.
Meanwhile top of the table Leeds United lost to Southampton, this left them and Millwall tied at the top of the table on 78 points and due to face one another in their next league fixture.​

Leeds v Millwall
View attachment 48460
«Forde (8.9)
–2nd​

First versus second, tied on points and seperated only by goal difference, this was a fixture that promised much. Based on today performance Leeds are shoe-in's for the League One title this season, they were the far stronger of the two teams and dominated for large spells of the game. American Mike Grella played a nice one-two with Neil Kilkenny before slipping past his marker and scoring will a well executed finish in the 17th minute. Jermaine Beckford settled the nerves of all Leeds fans in the 85th minute as he benefited from a mix up in the Millwall defence to score their second goal.​

Millwall v Stockport
View attachment 48461
«Morison (9.3)
–2nd​

Following last week's poor showing and defeat to Leeds United the Millwall fans today demanded a performance worthy of their promotion ambitions, and that's exactly what they got. The Lions got off to a flyer with Neil Harris scoring the first goal after just 3 minutes, but it was Steve Morison who stole the show today with a classy hat-trick. He got his first just before half-time getting on the end of a Neil Harris free-kick to power a header home past the Stockport 'keeper. For his second goal Morison showed fantastic skill and composure to bring Nadjim Abdou's wild pass under control before firing in, and he completed his hat-trick in injury time as he ran unchecked onto Abdou's through ball and scored from close range. One more league win will ensure Millwall a play-off spot although they will be disappointed not to finish in the automatic promotion places at the end of the season.​

MARCH REVIEW​

View attachment 48462
click on league table to enlarge​

View attachment 48463
click on league fixtures to enlarge​

View attachment 48464
Top goal scorer: Neil Harris (18)​

View attachment 48465
Most assists: David Martin (13)​

View attachment 48466
Player of the month: Steve Morison (7.84)​

 

[Pompey_Dan]

MARCH GOALS ROUND UP

Here are all the Millwall goals from March as the season nears it's conclusion (best watched in 720p HD)​

YouTube- March Goals (Millwall).wmv​

Music: A-Punk - by Vampire Weekend​

 

[Ben]

Brilliant mate, hope you get promoted, good luck

 

[Deleted member 79730]

great story mate, doing well, millwall are very fun, i usually beat them though

 

[Nixon]

Again some good goals . Neil Narris looks an amazing player at that level, it's just a pity he can't run! And you look to have wrapped up automatic promotion barring a late season collapse... I'll look forward to seeing Championship football next season.

 

[jswigan]

Hope you get promoted mate

I've got a Millwall story aswell

Will follow

 

[Pompey_Dan]

Hope you get promoted mate

I've got a Millwall story aswell

Will follow

Nice one mate, gl

Harris and Morison are a great partnership and have goals in them, whilst David Martin on the left wing is a real dynamo. Get a creative midfielder and you're away!

Like rnixon said Harris can't run but if the opposition give him space he'll hurt them!

 

[Pompey_Dan]

APRIL UPDATE

Millwall v Brentford
View attachment 49320
«Morison (9.0)
–2nd​

Millwall hit the woodwork no fewer than three times against Brentford, but still did enough to win the game. It was Brentford who scored first thanks to a mistake by Lions ‘keeper David Forde after 26 minutes. Forde came out to collect a high ball but failed to shout and collided with centreback Ritchie De Laet. Striker Charlie McDonald was quickest to react, he pounced on the loose ball and tucked it away into an empty net. Millwall then equalised six minutes later when Gilles Barnes sent over a superb looping cross that stood up at the far post and Steve Morison scored with an easy header. On 71 minutes, Bee’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a double save from Nadjim Abdou but couldn’t prevent Steve Morison scoring the winner from the rebound.

Colchester v Millwall
View attachment 49321
«Smith (7.7)
–2nd​

With the score 0-0 and neither side taking the upper hand Millwall had midfielder Adam Bolder sent off. In the 52nd minute Bolder picked up his second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Anthony Wordsworth. With their opponents a man down the U’s took the lead after 59 minutes through Thomas Butler’s goal, they then doubled this lead in the 82nd minute courtesy of Kayode Odejayi’s header from David Fox’s corner.
With Colchester coasting to victory and Millwall playing with ten men nobody expected what was to happen next, on 85 minutes Anton Jongsma found Steve Morison in the area and he claimed his twentieth goal of the season. Then, four minutes later, Millwall were level when full-back Jack Smith’s diagonal pass reached substitute Ashley Grimes on the edge of the 18 yard box and he curled the ball around the ‘keeper.

Millwall v Gillingham
View attachment 49322
«Harris (9.2)
–2nd​

Neil Harris, Steve Morison and David Martin all came close to opening the scoring for Millwall but instead it was Gillingham who drew first blood. Simeon Jackson gave the Gill’s the lead with a 38th minute strike after Paul Robinson made a mistake attempting to clear a cross. On 50 minutes Steve Morison and Neil Harris combined to equalise for Millwall and then, after 54 minutes, loanee Gilles Barnes gave them the lead their football deserved.
Neil Harris scored with a wicked free-kick in the 62nd minute to make the score 3-1, but Gillingham’s Andy Barcham reduced the deficit back down to one goal nine minutes later. The game was poised on a knife edge until the 85th minute, Gill’s ‘keeper Alan Julian fumbled a catch, recovered and then dropped it again for Steve Morison to profit.

Yeovil v Millwall
View attachment 49323
«Morison (8.8)
—1st​

A win against Yeovil propelled Millwall back to the top of League One this afternoon, with just four games remaining. Whilst Leeds could only draw against Carlisle, a man of the match performance from Steve Morison ensured that the Lions took full advantage of their title rivals slip up. Morison’s second goal was the pick of his brace, scored after a run from the halfway line.

Huddersfield v Millwall
View attachment 49324
«Morison (8.8)
–1st​

An exciting match that could quite easily have gone either way, as it was Huddersfield took the points with a last minute winner. Huddersfield led the match from the 8th minute courtesy of a Jordan Rhodes goal, but Millwall’s Steve Morison equalised just before half-time. Morison then gave Millwall the lead on 57 minutes with a fine header from David Martin’s free kick, but just four minutes after Huddersfield had levelled through Lee Novak. The game looked set to end in a draw until the final minute when Eccleston broke clear on the right of Millwall’s defence and sent in a looping cross. Rhodes beat Nadjim Abdou to the ball and headed over the line from two yards out, clinching the win for Huddersfield.
Leeds draw away to Gillingham wasn’t enough to displace Millwall at the top of League One.

Millwall v Leyton Orient
View attachment 49325
«Martin (7.7)
–1st​

A win would secure promotion for the Lions and at times nerves got the better of the players, they did enough, however, to take the points and ensure Championship football returns to the New Den. David Martin was the hero of the hour when he cut in from the left and skinned fullback Stephen Purches before firing past O’s ‘keeper Jamie Jones.
Not only did Millwall secure their place in next season’s Championship fixture list, they also moved a step closer to going up as League One Champions. Leeds’ loss against the MK Dons, their fifth consecutive game without a win, has left them trailing behind Millwall by four points. If the Lions beat either Tranmere (away) or Swindon (home) in their final two games of the season they will seal the title.



APRIL REVIEW

View attachment 49326
click on league table to enlarge​

View attachment 49327
click on league fixtures to enlarge​

View attachment 49328
Top goal scorer: Steve Morison (25)​

View attachment 49329
Most assists: David Martin (16)​

View attachment 49328
Player of the month: Steve Morison (7.98)​

 

[Pompey_Dan]

APRIL GOALS ROUND UP​

Better late than never, here's the Millwall goals from April
(for best quality watch in 720p HD)​

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiCRfdJVyas"]YouTube- April Goals (Millwall)[/ame]​

Music: Seven Nation Army - by The White Stripes​

MAY UPDATE

Tranmere v Millwall
View attachment 50587
«De Laet (8.6)
–1st​

This was to be the victory that sealed the title for mighty Millwall, it was not a classic match (a few nerves were evident) but an assured Lions display was enough to overcome a second rate Tranmere side destined for League Two. The first goal didn’t arrive until the 70th minute, Ritchie rose high and powered in a header from David Martin’s corner. The win was wrapped up on 82 minutes when Neil Harris sent Ashley Grimes through on goal and he blasted the ball past Joe Collister for his second goal in substitute appearances.
After the game Millwall fans broke onto the pitch in celebration, swamping the players and manager grabbing at anything that could constitute a souvenir of the moment. Many players lost items of kit whilst Lions boss Dan Lake complained “some cheeky ******* was away on his toes with my wallet!”

Millwall v Swindon
View attachment 50586
«Harris (8.8)
–1st​

Swindon Town could do little to dampen the party spirit at the New Den today, two early goals from Neil Harris was enough to give the newly crowned League One Champions another win. After the game the Millwall team were presented with the League One trophy and the New Den erupted in celebration!

SEASON REVIEW

Media prediction: 5th
Final league placing: 1st​

View attachment 50595
click on league table to enlarge​

View attachment 50596
click on team stats to enlarge​

To be promoted as Champions exceed everyone’s expectations, Millwall collected 100 points (4 more than last year’s Champions Leicester), scoring 85 goals whilst only conceding 36.


View attachment 50597
Player of the season: Ritchie De Laet
Defender Ritchie joined Millwall on loan from Manchester United early in the season, and went on to start in all but two of the Lions’ matches. His performances were so good, and his partnership with Darren Ward so strong, that he kept club captain Paul Robinson out of the side.
Ritchie scored four goals, made three assists and was named man of the match on six occasions. As part of a defensive unit that conceded only 36 league goals De Laet averaged over four tackles per game whilst proved to be more than comfortable on the ball, having a 75% successful pass rate.


Best eleven:

ATTACK STATS:

Lake set Millwall out to attack from the whistle and they often overran their opponents in the early stages of a game. This is reflected in the stats, with 55% of Millwall’s goals being scored in the first half of games.

David Martin finished with the most assists (17) and his dead ball skills came in useful as 14% of Lions goals came directly from corners.


View attachment 50598
Top scorer: Steve Morison
Steve Morison ended the season as the team’s top scorer with 25 goals, but club legend (and all time top scorer) Neil Harris wasn’t far behind on 22. Between them Harris and Morison scored 52% of Millwall’s goals this term. Steve Morison scored most of his 25 goals from inside the 18 yard box, only two came from long shots whilst he scored four with his head.

DEFENCE STATS:

The Millwall defence was miserly this season conceding only 36 league goals, the fewest in the division and less than last year's Champions Leicester. Millwall need to work on their concentration in the closing stages of games, as this is when they conceded most of their goals. If they do not address this weakness it will be fully exploited by Championship opposition next season.

 

[jswigan]

well done for getting promoted, best of luck for the new season(H)

 

[Pompey_Dan]

The video round up of Aprils goals is now available!

See post #69 above "May Update"

Coming soon... 2010/11 pre-season update!

 

[*Daniel*]

just read through it awsome story (H)
good luck in the championship

 

[Pompey_Dan]

PRE-SEASON UPDATE

Squad Assessment
We exceeded all expectations by getting promoted as League One champions last season, but we are not kidding ourselves and expect life to be a lot tougher in the Championship this season.
In defence Ritchie De Laet has returned to his parent club Manchester United and this is an area that needs to be strengthened if we don’t want to ship a lot of goals. In goal there are question marks over David Forde’s ability to step up and be the scourge of Championship strikers.
Central midfield looks strong if inexperienced at this level and new additions in this area aren’t a priority. We do lack some creativity in the middle, however, so we will need to rely on the wingers to feed the front men and we could do with some healthy competition for places out wide.
Up front Steve Morison and Neil Harris scored 46 goals between them last season, but Harris is now 34 and for him to repeat this feat may be asking a bit much. We will definitely need to recruit players to the forward line and will be looking for a striker with a bit of pace and another target-man.
But money is tight at Millwall and the club can only afford to hand me a transfer budget of £110k, so I’ll need to wheel and deal as well as rely on loan deals.

Board expectations
The chairman expects us to avoid relegation and I think this is reasonable, the media predict that will finish 21st but we will be aiming our sights slightly higher.


TRANSFER NEWS:

View attachment 52025​

View attachment 52026​

As well as the signings of Boateng and De Laet, we have added another six players.


View attachment 52028
Vito Mannone (full season loan from Arsenal)
22 year old goalkeeper Vito has made two appearances for the Arsenal first team already but Arsene Wenger was keen to loan him out to gain more experience.


View attachment 52029
Leigh Griffiths (£350k from Dundee)
Millwall beat Watford to the signature of Leigh who scored an impressive 49 goals in 85 senior appearances in Scotland. Leigh is still only 19 years old and could go on to be the natural heir to club legend Neil Harris.


View attachment 52031
Aaron Doran (six month loan from Blackburn)
Not necessarily our first choice but pacey Aaron should still provide Chris Hackett with competition for that right wing berth.


View attachment 52030
David Gray (free transfer)
Right-back has been a bit of a problem position for Millwall with four different players tried in that position last season. Despite having a good 2009/10 on loan to Carlisle David was released by Manchester United at the end of the season and was snapped up on a free transfer.


View attachment 52032
Steven Thompson (£26k from Burnley)
Gary Alexander was unable to push Steve Morison for the target-man role and he was allowed to move on in pre-season. Big and strong no nonsense striker Steve Thompson has been brought in to offer the management options upfront.


View attachment 52033
Shane Lowry (free transfer)
Released by Aston Villa at the end of last season and spotted by assistant manager Mark Chamberlain at a trial day, Shane can play at left-back and centre-half and provides the final piece of the defensive jigsaw.

OUT Ali Fuseini (£130k to Blackpool), Lewis Grabban (£85k to Scunthorpe), Gary Alexander (undisclosed to Barnet), Jack Smith (£55k to Bradford), Pat O’Connor, Ikenna Ofoche and John Sullivan (all released)


2010/11 PRE-SEASON MATCHES

Won 2-0 v Portsmouth
Morison (1), Harris (90+1)
«Martin (8.6)​

Drew 0-0 v Birmingham City
«De Laet (7.5)​

Lost 2-3 v Sunderland
Griffiths (19), Morison (55)
«Griffiths (7.3)​

Won 3-0 v Wrexham
Griffiths (19, 40, 71pen)
«Griffiths (9.5)​

PRE-SEASON REVIEW

A great pre-season with the only disappointment being the defeat against Premier League opposition Sunderland. We lead 2-0 against the Black Cats but conceded two late goals, both of which came from long distance strikes.
The defence appeared well organised with Paul Robinson returning to the side and the new signings settling in comfortably. Up front Leigh Griffiths looks like he could be a real steal at £400k and everyone connected with the club hopes that the team can take this early form into the first round of League games.
Millwall’s opening games are against Derby County (home), Sheffield United (away) and Southampton (home).



OTHER NEWS:

View attachment 52027​

Millwall reveal 3 new kits for the 2010/11 season, they are manufactured by Nike and bear the new team sponsor Criminal Clothing.

 

[Pompey_Dan]

Look out for the famous football quote hidden in each monthly update, can you remember who said it first?!

AUGUST UPDATE

Millwall v Derby County
View attachment 52068
«Griffiths (8.8)
—5th​

The waiting is over, the 2010/11 season is underway and Millwall are at home to Nigel Clough’s Derby County. The Millwall fans will have been impressed by new signing Leigh Griffiths as he scored a brace on his debut. His first goal came after 5 minutes when he rounded the Derby ‘keeper Stephen Bywater, he added another on 12 minutes after being played in by Steve Morison.

Torquay v Millwall
View attachment 52070
«Boateng (8.9)
%Carling Cup, 1st round​

With Torquay struggling in League Two there were few surprises in this Carling Cup tie. Millwall were four goals up by halftime, the pick of the bunchh was George Boateng’s 41st minute strike that beat the ‘keeper hands down and bounced in off the post.
Torquay did rally in the second half and managed to get two goals to add some respectability to the scoreline. The best of Torquay’s goals was James Young-Husband’s delicate chip over David Forde in the 58th minute.

Sheffield United v Millwall
View attachment 52072
«Morison (9.0)
—3rd​

Millwall’s first away game of the new season pitted them against Sheffield United, losing finalists in last year’s play-off final.
The Lions took an early lead scoring after three minutes, Leigh Griffiths played a clever one-two with Steve Morison on the edge of the Sheffield area before side footing the ball past the Blades ‘keeper. On 35 minutes Darren Ward gave away a cheap penalty tripping Darius Henderson in the area, Ched Evans stepped up to take the spot-kick and level the scores.
Millwill suffered a setback in the 56th minute, Nadjim Abdou went in hard on Seamus Coleman and received his second booking of the game. With their opponents down to ten men, most expected Sheffield United to take control of the game but it was Millwall who retook the lead. Steve Morison spotted Aaron Doran’s run from deep and the right winger cut inside to beat Jamie Ashdown at his near post. Doran then added a third on 87 minutes as he managed to get inside his marker and beat the Ashdown from close range.

Millwall v Southampton
View attachment 52073
«Martin (8.9)
—2nd​

Last season Millwall failed to beat Southampton in two attempts but today they completely dominated their opponents. The opening goal was one to remember as Leigh Griffiths, starting in his own half, rampaged down the right flank before crossing for Steve Morison to volley home. David Martin made it 2-0 with a well placed finish, before taking the free kick from which Darren Ward got the third on 35 minutes. Leigh Griffiths added a fourth goal minutes before halftime, rifling the ball into the net from the edge of the 18 yard box.
Southampton put in a better performance in the second half of the match, they prevented Millwall from scoring again but couldn’t find the back of the net themselves.

QPR v Millwall
View attachment 52075
«De Laet (7.7)
—1st​

Queens Park Rangers saw more of the ball than their London counterparts in this game but some woeful finishing saw them go down to a Neil Harris penalty. On 42 minutes, QPR’s Jakub Wawrzyniak was adjudged to have felled Harris in the area, although the striker did appear to go down rather easily. Harris was soon up on his feet and scored with a well taken penalty.

Bristol City v Millwall
View attachment 52076
«Morison (6.7)
%Carling Cup, 2nd round​

A day to forget for the travelling Millwall fans as they succumbed to a Bristol City side on fire. The Lions found themselves trailing to a tremendous Jamie McAllister free kick in the 5th minute. It’s doubtful that McAllister meant to score as his cross/shot beat everybody in the area including David Forde in the Millwall goal. Five minutes later Steve Morison got his team back in contention as he applied the finish to David Gray’s pin-point cross. But then the Robin’s pulled away, as Millwall attempted to defend higher up the pitch first Danny Haynes, and then David Clarkson, hit them on the break. In the second half Clarkson added two more goals to claim a hat-trick as Millwall’s game plan unravelled completely.
After the game the emotion got a bit too much for Lions boss Dan Lake as he said: “I am not disappointed, just... disappointed!”

Millwall v Barnsley
View attachment 52077
«Harris (9.4)
–1st​

In a drab first half the home side came closest to scoring when defender Darren Ward headed against the bar from a corner. At halftime Nadjim Abdou replaced Anton Jongsma in the Millwall midfield and minutes later the substitute had given his team the lead. This goal seemed to give the Millwall players renewed belief and they went on a goal rampage.
On 58 minutes Adam Smith fouled Alan Dunne in the box and Neil Harris put away the resultant penalty. Harris then added another as he bent a 30 yard freekick around the Barnsley wall and into the roof of the net. In the 65th minute Steve Morison got on the scoresheet after a tidy throughball from Chris Hackett put him one-on-one with the ‘keeper. On 70 minutes the rout was complete, Alan Dunne burst into the Barnsley area and Adam Smith collided with him clumsily. Dead ball specialist Neil Harris was on hand to score his third goal of the game from the spot.


AUGUST REVIEW

View attachment 52078
Click on league table to enlarge​

View attachment 52079
Click on squad to enlarge​

View attachment 52080
Top goalscorer: Leigh Griffiths ( 6)​

View attachment 52081
Most assists: Steve Morison (4)​

View attachment 52080
Player of the month: Leigh Griffiths (8.22)​

Coming soon August/September '10 Goals Round Up!​

 

[SamScfc]

This is definatley up there for the best story on this site! :wub:

 

[Nixon]

Leigh Griffiths is a great player, I've even used him in the Premiership when he gets older because his pace and finishing is so good.

Brilliant start to the Champonship, are you aiming for promotion or is it just a good run of form you're on?

And the quote was one of many gaffes from Keegan if I'm not mistaken??

 

[Nick.]

this is an epic story but what skin are you using???

 

[lukef]

Must take alot of time and effort to have a layout like that

 

[Pompey_Dan]

Leigh Griffiths is a great player, I've even used him in the Premiership when he gets older because his pace and finishing is so good.

Brilliant start to the Champonship, are you aiming for promotion or is it just a good run of form you're on?

And the quote was one of many gaffes from Keegan if I'm not mistaken??

I wasn't expecting the start that we had to be honest, just waiting for the bubble to burst! My aim this season is to finish 20th and avoid relegation, reckon I need another 35 points!

It was indeed a quote from King Kev!

this is an epic story but what skin are you using???

Cheers Nick, today I am mostly using the viterous2 skin! http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/f71/release-vitreous2-skin-for-fm2010-t22654.html

Must take alot of time and effort to have a layout like that

It does take a while mate, hence slow updates. But I'm really enjoying writing it and taking a bit of pride in the appearance, I hope you are enjoying reading it too.

This is definatley up there for the best story on this site! :wub:

Thanks Sam, appreciate that mate. I will be looking in on your stockport story later today, it's an cracking read and great effort. :wub:

 

[rugrat123]

decent pre season