JIMMY ABDOU was the latest player sent out in front of the media to attempt to explain Millwall’s poor home form – and the latest player to fail to give an adequate reason for it.
Millwall lost 2-0 to Scunthorpe at The Den on Tuesday night, their seventh defeat at home in the league this season and tenth in all competitions.
It’s probably unreasonable to expect Abdou to explain in five minutes what has been a problem for more than five seasons, and he struggled to put his finger on why Millwall can win three successive away games and then lose so meekly when they return to The Den.
They have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions at home since November and there was something predictable about how events unfolded against the Iron, now on a four-game winning streak under caretaker bosses Nick Daws and Andy Dawson.
Gary McSheffrey scored early in the first half and Jim O’Brien in injury time and in between Millwall never really looked like they were going to get anything from the game.
The Lions face Peterborough this weekend when they will have another chance to get just a second win at the Den in 2016.
“We lost again at home and of course we’re disappointed,” Abdou said. “But we just have to work again and try to come back Saturday and win that game.
“Like I’ve said before we have to make sure we score first and it can be a different game. (Scunthorpe) scored first and we had to chase the game again.
“I don’t know if we deserved to win but I think we had enough chances to at least draw.
“The way they play they had more players in midfield so they probably get more of the second balls than us.
“I think we probably didn’t adapt well to that. Sometimes it’s difficult but we have to react now and try to do better.
“I think the manager is going to see that and try to fix that for the next game.”
Abdou damaged his collarbone in the 5-3 defeat to Peterborough in October, an injury that kept him out of competitive action for almost three months. But he says that won’t play on his mind as Millwall look to protect their place in the top six.
“I’ve forgotten about that game,” Abdou stressed. “But hopefully I’ll be ready for this one,
“They’re a good team and they showed early in the season how good they are.
“It’s going to be tough, playing at home again we need to a reaction after (Tuesday).”