NEWSATDEN looks at all of Millwall’s 23 opponents ahead of the 2017-18 Championship season.
Next up, Lucas Ball casts an eye over League One champions Sheffield United.
Nickname: The Blades
Manager: Chris Wilder
Stadium: Bramall Lane (32,702)
Club website: www.sufc.co.uk
Nearest train station: Sheffield
Postcode: S2 4SU
Title odds (Sky Bet): 28/1
Last meeting: League One – Sheffield United 2-0 Millwall (March 28, 2017; Bramall Lane)
Last season:
Position: 1st in Sky Bet League One
Goals for: 92
Goals against: 47
Top league goal scorer: Billy Sharp (30)
2017-18 transfers:
Ins: Richard Stearman (£961k); John Lundstram (£476k); Nathan Thomas (£298k); Enda Stevens (free); Ched Evans (undisclosed); George Baldock (undisclosed); Jamal Blackman (loan)
Outs: Graham Kelly (free); Stefan Scougall (free); Marc McNulty (free); Chris Hussey (loan); Ben Whiteman (loan); Louis Reed (loan); George Long (loan); James Wilson (loan)
Last season’s League One winners return to the Championship for the first time since they were relegated in the 2010-11 season after they finished in 22nd place. The likes of Billy Sharp fired the Blades to glory as they reached the 100-point mark in 2016-17, finishing 27 points ahead of Miillwall.
Blades boss Chris Wilder has rivalled the Lions for Southend’s Ryan Leonard most of the summer, but both clubs have been frustrated in their chase for the player and Sheffield United moved for midfield cover by signing John Lundstram from Oxford United. The former Us captain can be a creative force as well as being a decent holding option for the Bramall Lane outfit.
Wilder has opted for more experienced players generally this window, adding to his squad depth. Richard Stearman and Ched Evans arrived from Fulham and Chesterfield, respectively, and have plenty of nous at either end of the pitch.
Wilder got his number-one goalkeeper target when he secured a one-year loan deal for Jamal Blackman from Chelsea. Nathan Thomas and Enda Stevens could also be shrewd recruits from the lower divisions.
Millwall vs. Sheffield United (Saturday December 2, 2017)
Sheffield United vs. Millwall (Saturday April 14, 2018)
In their last meeting, goals from Jack O’Connell and Kieron Freeman saw the Blades beat the Lions 2-0.
Graphic: @JoshCreative