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| Counted
Out: Lions fears over Smith and Nutton |
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by
Brian Stater
Millwall
manager George Graham has ruled out two key men for the start of the
Third Division campaign.
Both
are struggling to shrug off leg injuries, and Graham said, "I doubt
very much if they will be ready in time. They will certainly be lacking
match practice, and nobody will come in to the side until they're
ready.”
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Ironically,
Smith is the man Graham signed in a £17,500 midsummer deal with
Plymouth, after months of protracted negotiations.
Graham
has another centre half pairing available in transfer-listed duo Dave
Cusack and Dave Martin, and they are almost Certain to fill the berths
in tonight's glamour friendly with First Division Luton at The Den.
Meanwhile Tony
Kinsella trained yesterday |
for
the first time this week after injuring a foot in Saturday's 5-1
hammering of Charlton, and defender Keith Stevens is also approaching
full fitness.
The
Luton clash will see the return to South London of former Palace star
Vince Hilaire and manager David Pleat is planning to field a
full-strength line up. Graham said, "Luton are a very fine
side, and this will be a great test for us." |
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| King-Pin
Kinsella: New look Tony boosts Millwall |
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| Millwall
1
Luton 2 by Brian Stater
TONY
KINSELLA has come in from the cold to hot up Millwall's bid for Third
Division honours. Kinsella has given notice that Millwall will have an
abundance of midfield artistry.
The
22 year-old, who admits he was rescued from the wilderness when manager
George Graham brought him back to Millwall after three barren
years, gave a sizzling display in Friday's friendly.
The
Lions were handed time and room to play by First Division Luton, and
Kinsella capitalised by conjuring some moments of magic.
The
slightly-built youngster, who left The Den in a big-money move to
America in 1981, has a matured into a more complete, player, showing a
vision that could prove priceless in unlocking Third Division defences. |
Den
in a big-money move to America in 1981, has a matured into a more
complete, player, showing a vision that could prove priceless in
unlocking Third Division defences.
In
the opening minutes he curled in a clever lob that allowed Kevin Bremner
to turn and cross for Steve Lovell to head narrowly wide, and later set
up the move which saw substitute Teddy Sheringham hit a post
Kinsella,
who gave Luton full back Mitchell a torrid time, also sent a snap-shot
inches over the bar midway, through the second half.
In
Kinsella and Anton Otulakowski, the Lions must -have two of the most
outstanding left sided men in their division.
In
Friday's action Bremner forced home an 84th minute goal, to wipe out the
lead Luton had seized three minutes earlier, when Ricky Hall pounced on
a defensive error. |
| Action
Man: Millwall's Steve Lovell goes past Ricky Hill |
Luton
stole victory in the dying minute when David Moss lashed home, following
another mistake.
Millwall:
Sansome, Stevens, Roffey, Mcleary. Martin, Cusack, Lovell, Bremner, Neal
(Sheringham), Charlton, Kinsella
Attendance:
1.558. Referee: D Vickers (Ilford). |
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| Kinsella
takes up the challenge |
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| Millwall
Last Season
Div III 9th
FA Cup: Round 2
Milk Cup: Round
2 |
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| Transfers
Out: None
Transfers In:
Tony Kinsella (from Ipswich), Les Briley (from Aldershot),
Lindsay Smith (from
Plymouth), Bill Roffey (from Orient) |
Chairman: Alan Thorne
Manager:
George Graham
Assistant: Theo Foley
Captain:
Les Briley |
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| Tony
Kinsella is back at Millwall-facing probably the most challenging season
of his career, writes Michael Hart.
"He at the
cross-roads this season," said manager George Graham. "He's
got to accept the challenge of third Division football and give his
career some fresh impetus."
Kinsella showed
outstanding promises as a youngster at Millwall and was capped by Eire
at Under-21 level. He had a fruitless spell with Tampa Bay Rowdies
and then tested his potential in the first division with Ipswich.
But having played only
a handful of games, Ipswich decided to release him on a free in the
close season.
"I’m delighted
he's come to Millwall because he good in pre-season training " said
Graham.
"He’s got a
good attitude but must improve his goal-scoring record."
The signing of
Kinsella and Aldershot’s Les Briley gives Millwall impressive strength
in depth in midfield. Graham also has Nicky Chatterton, Anton
Otulakowski, Steve Lowndes, Steve Lovell and Alan Mcleary challenging
for midfield roles.
Kinsella could start
the season at full-back-a position he has played previously for Millwall
-because Paul Robinson broke a leg in a pre-season friendly match
against Colchester.
Graham's other
early-season worry concerns Briley and Otulakowski, both of whom are
suspended for the opening matches. But once they are available, Graham
will have an abundance of midfield talent.
"I wish I had the
same choice with strikers" he said "I’m still trying to sign
a quality goalscorer."
A bonus for his
diligence came when he signed centre half Lindsay Smith, a key figure in
Plymouth's FA Cup run last season, for £17,000.
"Were gradually
beginning to get the squad right." he said.
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| by
Brian Stater
MILLWALL are awaiting
a specialist's report on star striker Dean Neal. The 23-year-old
forward, who top-scored for the Lions last season, has a trapped nerve
in his neck.
The painful injury hit
Neal during Friday's friendly with Luton, and Den chief George Graham
was yesterday anxiously waiting for the medical verdict.
Meanwhile, Steve
Lowndes is racing to shrug off a foot injury in time for Saturday's
opening Third Division clash at home to Swansea. |
Lowndes
was hurt in a training-ground tackle with Anton Otulakowski late last
week, after spending much of last season on the sidelines with a
dislocated toe.
Otulakowski and new
captain Les Briley will miss the first two matches through suspension.
Meanwhile Graham has
praised the midfield performance of Tony Kinsella in the 2-1 defeat by
Luton. He said, "Tony did very well and has a lot of ability
adapted He hasn't quite to our style of play yet, but he's learning very
fast." |
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| Millwall
are our only real hope |
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| by
Maurice Woolf
MILLWALL were tipped
for the top last season but were let down by their disastrous away
results. This time they should go all the way and finish in the honours.
Manager George Graham has bought wisely but admits he still needs
another front player.
Graham said-
"Since I've been at the Den we've improved and we can do so again.
so we must he in with a chance time as we finished ninth last
season."
"We're optimistic
and we challengers in every position except for strikers. But I’ll
have to wait to get the player want."
"I'm not going to
buy just for the sake of buying. We have to get a player equally as good
if not better than the ones we have. And that could take a little
time."
George, whom I've
known ever since his days at Arsenal isn't one isn’t one given to
undue optimism, so I think I'll have a small wager on their promotion
chances.
Graham bought Les
Briley, whom he made captain. from Aldershot, Lindsay Smith from
Plymouth, Tony Kinsella from Ipswich and Bill Roffey from Orient. He let
Andy Massey, David Stride and Dean White go.
Millwall already have
a crop of injuries, with |
Paul
Robinson out for at least six months with a broken leg.
Briley and Otulakowski
are two of the best midfield players in the third division, with
Kinsella, Nicky Chatterton, Steve Lowndes, Alan Mcleary and Steve Lovell
challenging for places.
Guarantee
At the back, in
addition to Smith, David Martin, Dave Cusack, and Micky Nutton, when fit
form a formidable defence, with Keith Stevens and Bill Roffey also
available. Keeper Paul Sansome came on a bundle- to use the Old Kent
Road vernacular- and Peter Wells will be challenging him for that
position. Roffey is solid at left back.
Dean Neal and Kevin
Bremner haven't any challengers upfront, but Millwall could use
Chatterton, Lowndes and Kinsella as attackers. The squad is almost right
and if Graham signs a striker quickly they could lead the promotion race
from start to finish.
One guarantee I will
give is that every match, whether in the Associate Members’ cup, the
Milk cup, the FA cup, or a league game, will be played to win - or
Graham will have someone's head for it.
My prediction:
Promotion with a side that will not only stay up but be good enough to
well the following season in division two. |
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| Deano
is my tip! Lions will roar again |
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| By
Vince Hilaire
DEAN NEAL, my old
school-mate from our East End days, is the player who can lead Millwall
in to the Second Division next season.
And I've been so
impressed by Millwall in pre-season that I'm putting a hefty bet on them
winning promotion.
Before I got my break
with Crystal Palace, Dean, myself and Clive Allen played in the same
Sunday football league. Clive has gone on to command million pound
transfer fees, play for England and now get a move to Spurs.
But when we were kids
in the East End, we expected Deano to be the England player - not Clive
Allen!
My new club Luton met
Millwall in a friendly at The Den last week and we managed a slim 2-1
win. But Millwall's promise was there to see with Dean and busy Kevin
Bremner up front. They are solid in all departments. I spoke to the
manager, George Graham, after the match and he seems very satisfied with
Millwall's pre-season form.
I don't blame him
especially after giving Charlton a 5-1 hiding. In my first season as a
professional at Palace, I played in the same line-up as George and I was
later to see his coaching talents when he came back to look after the
youth team.
George always had a
touch of class and style as a player with Palace and Arsenal. That's
what he's trying to bring - with some success - in the Third Division
with Millwall.
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In
the same way as Luton, Millwall are not a glamour club, but they have a
reputation for being very well organised. On the field, George has found
the perfect blend and he has the strongest midfield in the division.
That was a shrewd move when he brought Tony Kinsella back.
I reckon Tony will be
a revelation this season. The signs were there for all to see in the
Luton game. Then there's the other new signing, Les Briley from
Aldershot. I remember Les during his Wimbledon days as a busy player who
is positive in the tackle and always prepared to support the attack.
Up front with Dean
Neal, who's still only 23, is Kevin Bremner. Without a doubt, Kevin is
the hardest working striker I know.
Another former Palace
player, Steve Lovell, is invaluable. With clubs who operate on a smaller
squad, it's vital to have utility men. Steve can play anywhere and I
think one of George Graham's most important jobs is to persuade Dave
Martin to come off the transfer list.
Dave is a great
all-rounder. With him and Steve Lovell in the squad, George will have
competition for places which is always a healthy sign.
MANAGER: George Graham
NEW SIGNINGS: Lindsay
Smith (Plymouth) £17,500; Tony Kinsella (Ipswich) free; Les Briley
(Aldershot) £20,000 + player-exchange; Bill Roffey (Orient) free
LAST SEASON: 9th.
Vince Hilaire was
talking to Brian Alexander |
| Neal:
The man who can boost Millwall |
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