That was like watching the grass grow and paint drying while Waiting for Godot at the same time. Millwall versus Norwich City on Tuesday, February 2 has to be the most boring game I can remember since we lost 0-1 at home to a last-minute Terry Gibson goal against the original Wimbledon in, I think, 1988.
For the third time in a row, we have been stifled by a committed opposition employing an unremitting press that we found more or less impossible to bypass. And fair play to Gary Rowett and his coaching team [more of them later] – they did a job on us in roughly the same way Boro did on Saturday. Barnsley confronted us likewise the week before that but they did at least employ some flair – something which nobody could accuse either Boro or Millwall of offering.
I’m not normally one to watch highlights over and over again but I must confess I had to look at the two best chances of the match a few times each. Not ours, Millwall’s. I’m not too sure how Kenneth Zohore managed to nut that pinpoint cross from Scott Malone over the bar but he did – thankfully for us. A rare question mark against Ben Gibson for giving the Dane the freedom of Tim Krul’s back stick.
And as for the last kick of the game from Jed Wallace we were spared the ultimate indignity of conceding a point. Sure he was around 35 metres out but if Wallace had been a little more composed when Kieran Dowell *played him in*…..
Just as Gary said yesterday, I’m not too down when all things are considered and as other folks have suggested elsewhere I’d take a third 0-0 in a row at the Liberty tomorrow. I’d guess most of us would.
For what it’s worth I reckon Ollie Skipp summed things up rather well when he said:
“As a team, just to be more ruthless and take those opportunities is what we needed. You’re not always going to have 1,000 chances in a game so make sure that you’re testing the keeper at all times.
“Especially in the last 15 minutes, perhaps they started coming into the game and had some penalty shouts, but it’s always nice to get a clean sheet, but we go into every game wanting to win and that was our attitude going into the game tonight.
“We’re disappointed but will look forward to the next game and be ready for that.”
That’s a good call on the penalty shouts Ollie. Keith Stroud would have awarded both of them. Rowett was gracious enough to admit afterwards that neither incident was clear-cut and fair play to him for that.
Oh, I said earlier that I’d get back to Rowett and his coaching team and there’s no time like the present.
Forcing my debit card out of my wallet with a crowbar I watched on iFollow. I have no idea if there was commentary available or not but knowing it would not be Chris Goreham and an ex-player of ours I didn’t seek out how to turn it on.
Now I have heard some strong language in my time. It’s part of life in the police service, a 50-strong printworks when you can hear the effing and blinding over the machinery and certainly the kitchen in a well-known Broadland Hotel where I worked a couple of summer seasons.
That was so bad that we once had to turf out a disgruntled customer who came into said kitchen to spontaneously complain and remind us that we shouldn’t say anything to each other that we wouldn’t have said in front of our respective mothers.
I often used to hear the *notorious* Murphy brothers [good guys, Paddy and Barry] in full flow at Blofield Rec, so I know bad language instigated by passion when I hear it, believe me.
But the barrage from Rowett and his crew was truly something else. I didn’t detect anything untoward in any unwarrantedly abusive sense but by the Good Lord they were loud.
Eff this, eff that and eff the effin’ other wasn’t in it.
And I’m sad to say I found that the most entertaining part of the game.
Glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed the continuous swearing – I think they were trying to make up for lack of fans!
As for most boring, tedious as it was, I still rate a 0-0 against Newcastle at Carra under Hughton as the least memorable game I’ve ever seen (and I was at the Wimbledon game too), I walked away from the ground and could not bring to mind a single thing that happened in the game. I’ll have nightmares about that last kick at the empty goal on Tuesday for years.
Hi Bruce
I must have been at the Newcastle game you mention but I’ve got no memory of it either – mind you I don’t choose to remember too many matches played under Hughton if I’m totally honest!
Cheers
Hi Martin,
I think again you are right on all counts. Only football can serve up ‘entertainment’ like what we had to endure on Tuesday night and get away with it, If I had spent my ‘hard earned’ on anything else I would be asking for a refund!! 😂
I can’t help thinking that Jordan Hugill would have come into his own in this game and perhaps against ‘Boro’ offering some physicality up front and occupying their defence. Could then have gone 3 at the back with JH and TP the top would have given Millwall a different problem.
Also, by the same token, do you think Pukki is missing the presence of a fully fit Shieperdude?
The only positive from the Millwall game is we didn’t lose and looking at the long game that’s not a bad trait, as long as we average 2 points a game we’ll be promoted…..we’re still on course for that!!
Cheers
John
Morning John
The concept of entertainment is a strange one in this case. Without being snidey I reckon many Millwall fans will have been happy enough with their team’s performance to have got some entertainment value out of it. To me it remains the worst tenner I’ve ever spent and that includes several visits to dentists for check-ups.
It was a bit like one of our rare draws in the Premier League last season wherein we were happy to get a point
The Stieperdude question is an interesting one and my answer would be: ask Teemu! Marco is such an awkward player in many ways but his movement used to grant Pukki a little more space to run on to slip throughs.
The #10 does seem a bit of a problem for us just now as it looks like perm any one from three as in the Mayor, Vrancic and a not up to speed Dowell.
Cheers
Marty, a couple of weeks ago, in my reply to one of your pieces, I stated that as an old git I had to admit that the ‘modern’ professional game is better than in the days of my youth, I should have included the words ‘can be’. Better stadiums, better pitches, better boots and ball, better training and, more athletic players able to use better skills. But all of that comes to nought if one team is determined to stop their opponents rather than trying to win. Now this is where my memory gets selective, but in the dim and distant past I can’t remember too many games in which both teams didn’t have a determined attempt to win. Every team had attacking wingers and at least two central forwards, who seldom came back to defend. Maybe there should be a rule change, minus points when a team fails to score. Such a shame that a game with so much potential can at times be so boring. Maybe no points for a game, just goals scored, a bit tongue in cheek but it’s a shame to see negativity on a regular basis.
Hi Cutty
Yes I think that’s all too valid unfortunately.
Like it or not we’re seen as a bit of a scalp thinly hidden under a cloak of parachute payment envy I would say. My response to that is simple: get promoted then relegated and you can have some parachute money as well.
I was going to say that we never saw Jimmy Greaves defend, but I remember when Alan Mullery broke his leg against West Ham in the late 1960s he ended up at right back for the last half an hour and didn’t do a bad job as Spurs held on for a narrow win.
Oh for another Chris Sutton who to my mind was a pretty fine CB as well as a striker.
Thanks pal
Pleased you enjoyed the game on Tuesday, thankfully I resisted temptation opting for other tasks to pass the time.
In homage to CF there’s only one eff’ in Farke and I reckon Danny Boy will be quietly satisfied with Tuesday’s 0-0 we used to lose those games, a decent point. We were rubbish but drew, it’s what really good teams do.
One of the criteria to manage Millwall will be an NVQ in malediction unlike the Burnley job if you want a laugh. https://youtu.be/ig1_49-uXHM
Win, lose or draw Friday’s game of footy will be very different.
Hi Colin
I’d not seen that clip before – loved it – and it kind of reminded me of when David Brent met Al Murray in character as the Pub Landlord. If they ever did meet of course.
An NVQ in malediction, now I wonder where I could get one of those from?
Thanks for the grin.
If you find out book for two!
Best I approach Lewisham Tech then!
Hello Martin, suffice to say your report is far more entertaining than the sum total of our last three games.
I recall the aforementioned Newcastle game. I believe it’s the one where snodgrass plopped yet another corner onto the head of the first man and the crowd went Berserk.
I have never met or even heard of the mrphy brothers but I doubt their language would have rivalled mine for profanity had dowells first memorable contribution to a city game cost us a point.
Hi Chris
Paddy Murphy was the manager of top Anglian Combination side Blofield United [often assisted by brother Barry] and I did their programme for them for a couple of seasons when I lived in the village, going to watch them sometimes when City were away.
Don’t mention corners – ours haven’t really improved over the years 🙁
It has to be better tomorrow. Doesn’t it?
Cheers
😊 it has to be an awful lot better mate. I’m hoping for a stronger selection from farke, incorporating the likes of Sorensen, McLean, Hernandez and possibly Mumba. Lightweight doesn’t begin to describe us lately.
I’ll be watching from behind the sofa,
Sofa?
If they’d made the kick-off any later I’d be asleep on mine!
Funnily enough, I used to watch Blofield as well (alternating with City) as I grew up in the neighbouring village of Brundall. It brought back some memories when you mentioned the Murphy’s and I certainly once got told to “eff off” by Paddy (for playing on the pitch on a non match day) but he was alright. I still have some programmes somewhere too.
And yes, I was close to the corner flag at the Newcastle game when Snodgrass also spat out “eff off”, this time to the Snakepit (and I mean properly “spat”). Horrible night to remember, but there was another chronic 0-0 draw v the Mags during the previous season. Both merge into one, along with all the other anti-football that the Hughton reign subjected us to.
Wimbledon was New Years Day 1990 by the way. I remember that too, and yes it was grim. The fairy story did little for me then – they were an ugly team to play.
Hi Jason
Thanks for putting me right on the Wimbledon date – I wasn’t sure.
Being in the UB I don’t get to hear as much of the players’ language as some other folks but from what I’ve been told what you say about Snodgrass is par for the course. He wasn’t popular here and didn’t seem to care.
Yes, *Paddy*s* pitch was a no-go zone. He didn’t actually own it of course [and neither did the club] but you’d never have thought so 🙂
My programmes would have been about 1990-92 ish – immediately after the ones with the red cover anyway.
I hope both the Shoulder and the Yare are still going strong – had some great laughs in both 1990-98.
Thanks a lot
Sorry, have to disagree. I thought Millwall (like Middlesbro) completely outthought us tactically and we couldn’t cope (again) with the energy they displayed. They should have won the game quite comfortably, with or without dubious penalties, and once again we barely had a chance of note.
I thought it was a good watch, if only to see how far we still have to go to get anywhere near a squad which has any chance at all of surviving in the EPL, in which even the worst teams have much better physicality and far more skill than Millwall. Clearly, this team would fail miserably again unless it rediscovers it’s mojo.
Cantwell had probably his worst game for us; Giannoulis seemed miles off the pace; Pukki needed far too much time to control the ball; Placheta seems to find alleys to run down so that his final ball is impossible and I’m not sure Vrancic was even on the pitch. Tactically for the third game running, we were a complete mess. This was against Millwall.
We won’t play like that against Swansea because they will let us play a bit more, as the top teams in the EPL do. Whether we are a better football team than them is debatable; given that they have a one goal start as Hourihane always scores against us, we will need to score two to win. That’s quite hard to see happening, but you never know.
I still think we’ll go up, whatever happens tomorrow. I also think we’ll come straight back down again.
Hi Stephen
I can certainly agree with some of the points you mention, particularly about Placheta but I think he’s had enough of a beasting lately so I chose to lay off the lad.
Certainly our tactics left plenty to be desired too.
I also agree that MIllwall *could* have won the match but I think *should* have won it is going just a little bit too far for me. The pitch didn’t help us, it really didn’t.
Your final paragraph is only too sadly spot on.
Thanks – great comment.
Much to agree with here! No mention of Dowell? He puts me in mind of Roberts, Marshall, Watkins and husband. I had similar feelings about those players early in their careers.
Didn’t you omit Marcus Edwards from the list?
Oh hang on – we never actually got to see him play 🙂
Hi Martin
For my sins I went on the Pinkun and the online Connor remarks and there were a few comments about the Ifollow remarks made by the locals and most said it was much worse than the Cardiff in-house commentary.
Having travelled and worked in many places and been to the good the bad and the ugly stadiums 🏟 plus a few very dangerous ones I will say the only one in the UK 🇬🇧 I actually was terrified of going for a second visit was the old den in the 70’s but with this new place it might once crowds are allowed back be a friendlier place🤬🤬🤬.
A point away is always a good point especially after that last minute gaff by Dowell.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and keep Healthy 🙏
The Old Den was quite a place.
I still recall going there in the club mini bus at the age of 14/15 supporting St Albans City v Enfield in an F A Amateur Cup semi-final in about 1970, (The Den being chosen as a neutral venue would you believe, those were the days). The experience remains with me and Millwall weren’t even playing!
Until then Broughinge Road Boreham Wood’s old ground was the scariest place I’d been.
I went back to Millwall a few times as an adult but never to the new ground, wouldn’t bother now.
Selhurst Park still the worst place to visit to watch footy.
Selhurst Park is the worst I’ve ever been to as well – uncontested award winner by an extra long country mile.
Enfield won that match. I know because a friend I worked with in Somalia in 1974 told me about playing in the amateur cup final at Wembley. Many times. Hopefully this is our “bad patch” for this season and we will rediscover our mojo tonight (it’s Friday for me ). OTBC.
Hi Alex
I never went to the old Den and haven’t been to the new one either. My dad was a PLA dock copper in the 1950s-70s and while he never generally told me where to go or what to do he was adamant about Cold Blow Lane and that I should never go there.
We don’t always listen to the old man but in this case I did. He showed me some photos taken by a Met photographer he knew of events before, during and after a couple of Millwall games and they were enough to persuade me to stay well, well away.
As you say, a point is a point.
Cheers mate
Like many others I was frustrated by our performance v Millwall .Perhaps more frustrated by the action or lack of it on our bench.
Farke may be a good coach but he needs to give some thought to effective use of subs in my 0pinion.
We knew what Millwall’s tactics would be -“let them play in their own half for as long as they like. If they come over the half way line hit them hard and often and with luck(* and yet another weak ref )we’ll nullify their passing game and maybe nick one on the break, At some point therefore if not from the start Hernandez, Sorensen,and Idah should have been involved to match muscle with mid field muscle and I think Onel was the only one to get the nod for more than a few minutes
My questions to Mr Farke are:
1 When was the last time one of our subs made a difference to the game! (arguably)Josh Martin away at Barnsley in the league?
2 how badly does Pukki have to play to get subbed? His lethargy and lack of sharpness will make him believe anything is acceptable.
3I’m sure you realise subs can be made before the 70th minute (It also gives the oncoming player a chance to get into the game..)
4 Triple substitutions with less than 5 mins to go are rarely productive
5,We have pace on the flanks yet it is rarely used . It has to be in this league and even more so in the prem .
6 The occasional long ball over the defence to a speedy winger or full back has to be a major weapon -its no good having a winger with blistering pace playing possession football especially in their own half.
7 Off the point, but why cannot one of our speedy wide men cross a ball.?The only two players who can are Quintilla (not pacy) or Vrancic (ditto).Theothers (Placheta Hernandez,Aarons) should be made to watch clips of Robert Snodgrass every day.
But then I look at our league position and think “what do I know”
(I know that in 6weeks we will struggle to be in the top 6 if some of these issues are noy addressed. Some of our adversaries are gearing up in a serious way!
One paced possession football is a recipe for boredom and manna from heaven to the opposition
Varied paced passing game plus movement and sudden attacking breaks is heaven!
Hi MftS
I’d have to be a qualified coach [which I’m not] to answer all of your numbered points but I’ll have a go at responding to a couple of them.
#1 Martin and Mumba against Swansea. Yes, late, but they contributed in quite a spectacular fashion.
#3 Agreed. Especially as we now have a full and talented bench.
#5 There has to be somebody in the middle to benefit from, say, the runs of PP and Onel and often there isn’t.
#7 Nobody should be forced to watch clips of Snodgrass.
I agree about the oppo gearing up while we appear to be treading water.
An original comment I enjoyed reading- thank you.
Hi Manfromthesouth you are spot on! 100%. Martin you said I was harsh after the Middlesbrough game but did Farke learn from it? I repeat what I said then – we knew how they would play the game so what did we change NOTHING!! Again this was a poor performance on and OFF the field. I am not calling for heads to roll but maybe someone should point out that there is more than one way to play a game and if it is not working change it preferably before the 75th minute. I even predicted to the minute when Idah would come on.
Hi Cyprus
I’ll certainly agree with you that very little appears to have been learned between Boro and Millwall – and you’re not wrong that the performance level was poor on the night but in mitigation Millwall played their part too and not everybody will go there and get all three points.
Daniel Farke might come across as laid back but something seems to have gone up a gear. I can’t link it remotely on MFW but Dave Freezer’s Pink Un report on yesterday’s press conference is interesting indeed if you haven’t seen it already.
Cheers
I’ve never been so happy to miss a kick off, thought the Millwall match started at 8pm
There nowt like saving a tenner for those of us with a tighter disposition…….
As for grounds, Oldham takes some beating
Hi Cannock
Never been to Oldham which is strange cos I used to work away in Manchester regularly for years – I’ve done Liverpool, Preston, Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, City old & new and OT but never Oldham.
I guess I didn’t miss much!
Thanks