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| Lions
hang on to ace Cusack |
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By
Brian Stater
GEORGE
GRAHAM has slapped a 'hands off' notice on Millwall giant Dave Cusack.
The
Millwall manager has insisted that centre-half Cusack must stay at The
Den, following speculation that Southend will name him as their new
player-boss.
Graham
told me, "If Southend or anyone else want Dave they will have to
sent us a very fat cheque. He is under contract, and unless I get a very
big offer he will stay with us."
Twenty-eight-year-old
Cusack denies all knowledge of Southend's alleged interest, which has
been fuelled by rumours that World Cup hero Bobby Moore will leave the
fourth division outfit.
Cusack,
who was signed by Graham from Southend and still lives in the area, has
twice demanded a move and is currently on the transfer list at The Den.
He
has attracted interest from Doncaster and Plymouth, but seems resigned
to staying at The Den in the short term. He said, "My main priority
at the moment is performing as well as I can for Millwall." |
Cusack
still has 12 months of his Contract to run, and I understand an offer of
over £40,000 would be required before Graham would part with him.
Cusack
is a key member of the side while Lindsay Smith is injured and though
Cusack may make way for Smith when he is fit, Graham has long insisted
that he wants to maintain a strong squad.
Meanwhile,
Graham takes his side to Reading tonight for the opening leg of their
Milk, Cup first round tie. He is likely to field the same side that beat
Swansea 2-0 on Saturday and said, "They will be a tough side to
beat on their home ground. But I think we can get a result there and I'm
looking forward to bringing them back to The Den."
Most
of the club's injured men will be in reserve team action at home to
Watford today.
Full-back
Keith Stevens is close to shrugging off his knee injury and Smith and
goalkeepers Peter Wells also play. Midfield men Anton Otulakowski and
Les Briley finish their two match bans this week, and will be available
for Saturday's Third Division trip to Cambridge.
Steve
Lowndes is still not fully fit. |
Cusack: Tipped for the Southend Job
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| Sansome
Sizzler |
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Reading
1, Millwall 1
A
superb display from goalkeeper Paul Sansome and a half-time rollicking
from manager George Graham kept Millwall's Milk Cup hopes alive at
Reading on Wednesday.
The
Lions looked likely to be on the end of mauling as Reading ran riot
early in this first leg tie.
In
a one sided first half, Reading rained in 10 attempts on the Millwall
goal. But apart from being beaten by a 13th minute header from Ken
Price, Sansome remained defiant and Graham was quick to pay tribute,
saying, "That was the best game I've seen Paul play."
After
an interval outburst from Graham, the Lions fought back to start level
in the return leg at the Den on Tuesday.
More
positive
"I
had a go at them at half-time," admitted Graham. "Much of what
I said is unrepeatable, but I soon sorted out the problems.”
“I
was very disappointed with our attitude in the first half. We
surrendered territory far too easily and it was almost as if we were
apologising for being out there. But we were much more positive in the
second period."
With
captain Steve Lovell behind many of their moves, Millwall showed far
more ideas going forward and leveled through Dean Neal in the 65th
minute. |
The Equaliser: Dean Neal
Millwall had Dave
Cusack and Bill Roffey booked for wild challenges in the closing
minutes.
Millwall: Sansome,
Nutton, Roffey, McLeary, Martin, Cusack, Lovell, Bremner, Neal,
Chatterton, Kinsella. Sub: Lowndes |
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Switched-off
lout
By
Graham Baker (The Mirror)
Reading
1 -1 Millwall
Reading
officials last night had to combat a new weapon in the armoury of
football hooligans...a microphone.
The
problem arose when the mike ended up in the hands of a terrace lout. He
twice shouted a string of foul and abusive words before the mike was
taken from him.
The
incident could easily have inflamed a tense situation in this Milk Cup
first-round tie. Millwall fans were baiting Steve Richardson, Reading's
coloured right back. |
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The
story the National Press Missed
Soccer
Fans Fight Terror
A
soccer fan was seriously injured when he was hit over the head with a
brick and kicked in the face.
The
incident happened during trouble after Millwall's game at Elm Park,
Reading, last Wednesday.
Police
have only just been told about the incident and are appealing for
witnesses. The victim, Patrick O'Reilly, of Portman Buildings, Pomeroy
Street, New Cross, was taken away by relatives after the attack, and
later admitted to King's College Hospital, Camberwell.
Mr
O'Reilly (35), suffered a broken jaw, and a broken cheek bone but has
now been released. He left the Elm Park ground at 9.10 p.m. after the
match and was with members of his family and friends when the attack
happened.
lan
Parsons (21) of Reading, suffered a fractured skull when a brick was
thrown through his car windscreen. A Millwall fan is also reported to
have been attacked by youths who were wielding baseball bats. This
attack also happened near the ground and the victim needed 18 stitches
to his wounds.
South
London Press |
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From
the Evening Standard
Millwall
goalkeeper Paul Sansome kept his side's Milk Cup hopes alive with a
splendid first half show.
Sansome
defied Reading with several brilliant saves, although he could do
nothing to prevent Ken Pice’s 13th minute goal, Reading were kept out
for next 30 minutes.
Winger
Dave Crown should have put Reading further ahead three minutes before
the break but
again Sansome came to the rescue.
Millwall
fought their way into the game after the interval and Reading cracked
after 13 minutes, Dean Neal driving the ball against goalkeeper Alan
Judge, and then racing in to roll home the rebound. |
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