Millwall (H) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Still after their first three points in 2021, Huddersfield welcome out of form Millwall to the John Smith’s Stadium. Is the game to kick off the year? Omer from That Millwall Podcast updates us on Gary Rowett’s men in our latest match preview.
It was the circumstances of the defeat at Watford, not the result that divided the fanbase at the weekend. At the start of the season, no-one expected Huddersfield to get three points at Vicarage Road but given Watford didn’t really turn up and the unfortunate mistake from Ryan Schofield to help hand The Hornets three points, it equally frustrated fans and sent others to point to the injury record as the reason.
It was an under-hit backpass from Álex Vallejo to Ryan Schofield but the ‘keeper should do better with coming off his line. This isn’t to point blame at the young goalie, he’s going to make mistakes and it’s crucial to his development and his shot-stopping was consistent in the match. Still, mistakes are regular from Carlos’ team this season as they get to grips with a new style of play and players filling in due to injury so although you can understand it, it doesn’t mean it’s irritating.
The good news is Town can bounce back quickly with a midweek match against Millwall. The Lions travel to Huddersfield in poor form, they are in the bottom three in the form table in the last ten games and they’ve only won one of their last eight away games. So, on paper, you’d think this is the perfect match for The Terriers to get up and running this year. That’s us jinxing the match for everyone then.
After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, Millwall sit 16th in the table and with Gary Rowett under pressure, can Huddersfield take advantage? To give us an update, Omer from That Millwall Podcast, previews match opponents Millwall for us.
Omer from That Millwall Podcast says “If Rowett doesn’t strengthen over the next couple of weeks with players which suit his style of play, then it could be only time that delays him leaving the club.” Photo source: Millwall
What did you make of Huddersfield in the previous match between these two teams?
Perhaps we were caught on an off day, having been the last of three games without Rowett in the dugout at the time due to COVID, but Huddersfield looked much improved that day. Could perhaps see the effects of your new manager with a different style of play compared to last season.
Is Gary Rowett still popular among Millwall fans given the club’s performances this season? What are your thoughts on the manager?
It’s a real split fan base at the moment, with only one win in fifteen games the pressure is to be expected now. We’re at a crossroads it feels like, either back the manager or perhaps roll the dice and get another manager in with their own ideas.
I personally feel if Rowett doesn’t strengthen over the next couple of weeks with players which suit his style of play, then it could be only time that delays him leaving the club.
We’re halfway through the season now, how would you rate your first half of the campaign?
An anticlimactic start, a lot of hope after last seasons charge up the table, but I feel this is a big reason in our failures this time around. Teams pay us a lot more respect going into games, and our fan base expected a side to be built on last campaigns top ten finish. We need something to change our run of form hopefully sooner rather than later.
Millwall are in the bottom three in the form table in the last ten games and they’ve only won one of their last eight away games. Photo source: Millwall
What are your hopes for the rest of the season, do you think you can improve?
Survival, to put it bluntly. We need to turn some of our many draws into wins and get into midtable obscurity.
Are you expecting any business in the January transfer window to address the squad?
I feel we need two/three new additions, a new option in midfield to change how we play going forward with the ball, a central defender to rival the three available at the moment, plus a different option up top to score some goals! Not much to ask for…
Are you expecting something different from the game against Huddersfield this time?
Having lost the way we did on Saturday away to Forest, I expect a bounce back from that, to at least be more competitive against Huddersfield. I’m sure we’ll see a handful of changes and perhaps a different formation selected by Rowett, which might bring the spark we need.
Jed Wallace is often their talisman but has struggled at times this season according to Omer. Photo source: Millwall
Jed Wallace is regularly discussed as your main threat. Has that been the case this season or is there anyone else we need to look out?
We rely heavily on the output of Jed Wallace, and with that we’ve seen a real dip in his form of late, often resulting in him getting subbed off late in games after making no real effect, and looking fatigued throughout. The challenge is to have other players step up and be counted, however with our form as mentioned above, no one is making that difference at the moment.
What are Millwall’s key weaknesses this season, is there anything Huddersfield can capitalise on?
Lack of goals, we’re usually quite secure at the back, however saying that Huddersfield did run riot against us back in October. If we were to play Alex Pearce at central defence I’d imagine your forward line would be looking to expose his lack of pace, that would be something I’d attempt to do if I were Huddersfield.
Have your expectations for Huddersfield Town changed for this season based on the previous game?
I’ve not watched much of Huddersfield over the last couple seasons, however, I felt we could see a difference in the last game as compared to the previous season under the Cowley’s. You’ve got players with lots of energy which look keen to impact the game in the forward areas, something us Millwall fans could only wish for at the moment.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
Least confident for a match I’ve been in a long while, which with football means we could turn up and play you off the park. I don’t see that happening and will take a 1-1 draw, Jake Cooper with the goal from a set play for us.
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Millwall? Let us know in the comments!
