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Millwall
manager George Graham has five injury worries before tomorrow’s Den
clash with neighbours Charlton.
Midfield
man Nick Chatter ton has groin trouble, as has forward Kevin Bremen, and
defenders, Lindsay Smith, Mickey Button and Keith Stevens all have leg
injuries.
The
injury Chatter ton forced Graham to bring in Les Briley and Anton
Otulakowski for Tuesday's 2-1 win at Wimbledon. Meanwhile Graham has had
enquiries from Doncaster and Plymouth for transfer-listed defender Dave
Cusack.
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| Soccer
round-up by Maurice Woolf |
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DAVE
CUSACK, who is battling to keep his place in the Millwall team, could he
on the move. The defender, who interested Brighton a few weeks ago, and
they could he back now that the Ken Armstrong deal is dead, is being
watched by a few clubs, including Doncaster and Plymouth. It would he
ironic if Cusack replaced Lindsay Smith at the West Country club.
However,
Cusack won't be allowed to leave the Den unless the fee is right.
Manager George Graham has a sound defence with everyone fighting for
their places.
At
the moment Micky Nutton isn’t fit and Keith Stevens, Kevin Bremner and
Nicky Chatterton are suffering from knocks from last Saturday's match,
but they will probably be available for the home derby with Charlton at
the Den on Saturday.
Graham
is stepping up his search for a striker, but the fees he has been quoted
are astronomical. He won't be rushed into a panic buy, especially as
this could. be the vital move to get the team into the promotion race.
While
held that position last season, but was |
given
a free. Steve Lovell look over against Aston Villa in the friendly and
could be offered the job.
David
Martin and Lindsay Smith are favourites to have the centre-back and
sweeper positions on last Saturday's showing and Bill Roffey fitted in
nicely at the back.
The
defence this year looks more than adequate. but the forwards will have
to up their rate of scoring. It's essential that the away record
improved - it couldn't be worse than last season's which, to put it
mildly, was disgraceful.
The
club are in the Associate members club this year because they have been
told that the final is definitely at Wembley. I’ll believe that when
it happens. It was supposed to do so last season, but flopped somewhere
out in the sticks.
The
Lions will be playing for pride on Saturday. Prices for the friendly are
the same as last week £3 and £2 and £1 for Oap’s and children. |
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by
Ian Malin
Millwall
5 Charlton 1
CHARLTON
manager Lennie Lawrence bitterly criticised his side's dismal display
in Saturday's friendly at the Den.
Millwall
swept aside Charlton in the second half and an outsider could never have
guessed that, Lawrence's. outfit was the second division side.
Lawrence
stormed, "I told the players that they had embarrassed' the club.
“We
were shocking. The only good thing to have come out of the match was
that it spells out a big warning for us for the season."
For
Millwall the win was the second against a higher grade club in a
week and boss George Graham was satisfied with an impressive performance
Graham said, "Funnily enough I was happier with
our win at Wimbledon, because you have to |
play
well to win there. Our defence didn't look good in the first half and I
gave them a rollicking at half time."
Millwall
opened the scoring after only 55 seconds when Kevin Bremner swept home a
Dean Neal cross. But Derek Hales was looking in his old form in
Charlton's attack and after going close with a shot that Paul Sansome
failed to hold he hit an equaliser from close range.
Once
Alan McLeary beat Charlton's off-side trap to score a 36th minute
second, Millwall were in control. A dubious penalty decision gave Steve
Lovell a third in the second half and Steve Lowndes and Nick Chatterton
scored two in the two minutes.
Millwall:
Sansome, Lovell, Martin, Cusack, Roffey, Mcleary, Lowndes, Kinsella,
Chatterton, Bremner, Neal
Charlton:
Johns, Gritt, Westley, Berry, Friar, Madden, Aizlewood, Flanagan, Hales,
Robinson
Goals:
Millwall: Bremner, Mcleary, Lovell, Lowndes and Chatterton. Charlton:
Hales |
| Above:
Chatterton battles with Robinson for the ball, Below:
Mcleary scores Millwall's second |
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LES
Briley, who was signed from Aldershot where he was skipper, has been
named Millwall's club and team captain.
But
midfielder Les will miss the first two matches because of suspension.
Steve Lovell is his deputy as skipper.
Anton
Otulakowski is also absent for the two matches. at home to Swansea. and
in the Milk Cup first leg, at Reading.
Manager
George Graham said: "I'm still looking for a striker, because
that's the only place for which there isn't any competition. There are
challengers in every other position for a first team spot.”
"We're
working hard and looking forward to the start of the season. The match,
with Luton on Friday night, at the Don. KO 7.30pm is another test for
us. it's the fourth friendly and we've played teams from higher
divisions in each one.
Luton
are a classy side and it should be another entertaining game for the
fans."
Alan Ball, now, the
Pompey manager. watched Millwall thrash Charlton 5-1 on Saturday and the
former England and Arsenal skipper must have been impressed by Dave
Cusack.
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The
Lions will have to watch their disciplinary record this season - many of
their bookings were due to excessive
fussiness
by referees who were prejudiced by Millwall's reputation, in my opinion
- because they were fined £250 and a £500 suspended fine for their
record season. If they have another series bookings this campaign they
forfeit £500.
Graham
didn't go overboard about the victory over Charlton. He said: "I
told my players at half time that they weren't doing enough.
They
stepped up their effort in the second half. But I don't set too much
store about wins. We play every match to win."
His
counterpart at Charlton Lennie Lawrence wasn’t very happy after
Charlton’s debacle at the Den. Lawrence "I told the team not to
talk to me for three days. They embarrassed the club. We didn't play
with any passion But it did one thing for the directors and myself It
illuminated the danger signs. Were just not good enough with the present
squad, especially as Carl Harris, Darren Anderson, Peter Mountford and
Steve Dowman will be out for about six weeks. But injuries are no
excuse, Millwall had players missing too”
Scorers:
Millwall: Bremner, McLeary, Lovell, (pen), Lowndes, Chatterton Charlton:
Hales |
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| Above:
Steve Lowndes not keeping his eyes on the ball |
Above:
Steve Lovell slots home from the spot for 3-1 |
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by
Brian Stater
Millwall
have forced the bookies to sit up and take notice. Following impressive
pre-season wins against Charlton and Wimbledon the odds against the
Lions lifting the Third Division championship have tumbled from 25-1 to
16-1.
And with Millwall
slipping smoothly into gear manager George Graham confirmed. "My
aim is to make sure we get promotion. He added, "I don't take any
notice of what the |
bookmakers
say - they're only amateurs. But any game that Millwall play this year
they will play to win.”
Meanwhile
forward Dean Neal was back in training yesterday after taking a knock in
the match with Charlton. But Micky Nutton, Keith Stevens and Lindsay are
still some way from full fitness.
Millwall
take a side to Fisher tonight, with goalkeeper, with midfield man Anton
Otulakowski certain to play. |
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Lawrence
was still smarting from the hammering at The Den and he said, "My
walk from the dug-out to the changing rooms was a humiliating
experience. The team had let me and the fans down badly."
He
added, "That was a warning for us. Ideally we need lots of fresh,
faces, but the board have kept the club afloat by paying off huge debts
from the old regime. We can't expect them to come up with more
money."
And
Lawrence, who plans major changes for tomorrow night's clash with
Gillingham at The Valley, told me, "The Millwall defeat was the
worst moment for me since we went down 7-1 at Brighton last season.” |
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| Fisher 2
Millwall 3
Millwall youngster Pat
Gordon scored a second half sizzler in Tuesday's friendly at Salter
Road. He ran through the entire Fisher defence before slotting home in
the 74th Minute.
Fisher had taken a
first half lead with goals from Ronnie Murdock and ever green Ossie
Bayram, while Jeff Sault missed a penalty.
But Millwall's John
Neal scored with a 25 yard rocket and Teddy Sheringham hit the winner
following Gordon's leveller. |
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