Match Day Thread Millwall v Swansea City

Millwall v Swansea City

Competition - Sky Bet Championship
Date - 30 June 2020
Venue - The New Den
Kick off - 17.00

Following their hugely disappointing 0-1 home defeat at the hands of bottom club Luton Town, next up for (beleaguered ?) Steve Cooper’s Swansea squad is a visit to London to play Millwall.

On Saturday, Luton climbed off the bottom of the Championship with a deserved victory at The Liberty Stadium, boosting their own survival hopes and damaging the Welsh club's hopes of reaching the play-offs.

The visitors edged a lethargic first half with Harry Cornick closest to scoring as he blazed over from a promising position.

Swansea were off the pace throughout and struggled to trouble their opponents, who took the lead when James Collins headed in.

The Swans then had substitute Jordon Garrick sent off for raising his hand to an opponent's face amid a melee involving both sets of players.

That compounded a miserable afternoon for Steve Cooper's men, who drop to 10th in the Championship table and now find themselves four points adrift of the play-off places.

Head coach Steve Cooper was withering in his criticism of Swansea City's "attitude" - warning his side it could cost them a place in the Championship play-offs.

“We've only got ourselves to blame, that's for sure. Poor result, poor performance," he said.

“We didn't see that coming, not just last week but the build-up coming into the game.”

“I didn't like our attitude."

“There was a real opportunity to win the game and kick on into what will be a hectic period. To not do that is really disappointing, but we've only got ourselves to blame."

On the same day, as the Swans were capitulating against The Hatters, Millwall also lost ground in the battle for Championship play-off places as they were held to a goalless draw in a largely lacklustre encounter at relegation-threatened Barnsley.

The Lions went closest to breaking the deadlock when midfielder Shane Ferguson struck the crossbar with a curling free-kick, with keeper Jack Walton beaten.

But Barnsley lifted their game after the interval and skipper Alex Mowatt brought a flying save from Bartosz Bialkowski with a 20-yard drive.

Jacob Brown shot straight the Polish keeper when well-placed and when Millwall failed to deal with Mowatt's ball into the box in added time, Bialkowski was there again to deny Mads Andersen.

The draw left Millwall 11th in the Championship, five points outside the top six, and one point and one place behind the Swans.

Turning to Tuesday evening, a match that is being televised live on Sky, both teams will be desperate to get their aspirations of a play off place back on track. However, I see further disappointment for both as I expect a 1–1 draw as the probable outcome - not really good enough for either side.

 

After my last prediction, there is no bloody way that I am going to attempt to predict this one.
Great write up though Taff.

 

I will predict a win for us nay because I am biased but I have no confidence in clueless to manage the players who are better than last Saturday to a win. He is continually showing naivety and that won’t change.

 

This has 2-2 written all over it. Not sure why but these are crazy times!

 

One - nil to them.

 

2-1 Millwall

 

Due to us being so unpredictable and given that it’s behind closed doors, and games don’t have the intimidation about them, I’m hoping Saturday was a blip so going for a Swans win 2-1.

 

After our usual help to the bottom teams mayb a little bouncebackability as a reward ?
3- 3

 

3 - 1 Millwall.

 

Kyle Naughton, George Byers and Yan Dhanda are handed starting roles as Swansea City head coach Steve Cooper makes three changes for this evening’s clash with Millwall.

The Swans boss had indicated he would make alterations following the disappointing defeat against Luton at the weekend, with Connor Roberts, Jay Fulton and Aldo Kalulu dropping out of the side at The Den.

For Naughton and Byers, they make their first starts since recovering from ankle injuries, with the full-back having scored a memorable goal in the Swans victory here last term.

Freddie Woodman continues between the sticks, with Naughton being joined in the back four by Ben Cabango, Ben Wilmot and Jake Bidwell.

Byers links up with captain Matt Grimes in a deep-lying midfield pairing, while Dhanda is alongside Conor Gallagher and Andre Ayew in a trio ahead of them.

Rhian Brewster leads the line once more for the visitors.

On the bench there is no place for Joe Rodon after the defender picked up an ankle injury in training, while Jordon Garrick serves the first match of a three-game suspension following his red card against Luton.

Millwall: Bartosz Bialkowski, Mahlon Romeo, Shaun Hutchinson, Jake Cooper, Murray Wallace; Jed Wallace, Shaun Williamson, Ryan Wood, Shane Ferguson; Tom Bradshaw, Mason Bennett.

Substitutes: Luke Steele, Alex Pearce, Ryan Leonard, Billy Mitchell, Jayson Molumby, Jiri Skalak, Ben Thompson, Matt Smith, Connor Mahoney.

Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango, Ben Wilmot, Jake Bidwell; George Byers, Matt Grimes (captain); Andre Ayew, Conor Gallagher, Yan Dhanda; Rhian Brewster.

Substitutes: Erwin Mulder, Marc Guehi, Connor Roberts, Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge, Jay Fulton, Aldo Kalulu, Bersant Celina, Liam Cullen.

Referee: James Linington

 

Same ref as:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8205360.stm

 

Is this on TV anywhere ?
VIPBox are threatening that they have a link which makes me think it's on TV somewhere


EDIT - It's on Sky

 

I agree with you and will go for a win today, 2-1 0r 1-0. is my double prediction, though a draw is highly likely.....................

 

1 down

 

Oh dear in trouble again poor defensive play again, what a soft goal to concede...........................

 

Staying put, staying put, staying put .....

 

Just get back in from work, we looked nice and tidy, then they carved us open so easily.

 

Bullied off the ball in midfield, Bidwell nowhere to be seen, Wilmott went to cover and a great cross ....

 

Very poor goal to concede but yet again easily bullied off the ball. Brewster should have scored just now but too weak. Their keeper is nervous so could be an advantage.

 

Shame really as we'd made a bright start.