Welcome to the fourth edition of the News At Den Fans Panel. Every other week we will be talking to three of the five members, all lifelong Lions fans, to gauge their views on Millwall, football, sport and the world at large. Returning to air their opinions are business analyst Joe, 34, pensions administrator Harry, 23, and former marketing executive James, also 23.
–
Joe
- Almost four years in charge, plenty of ups and downs under Gary Rowett. How will you remember the former Millwall boss?
The mark of a job well done is leaving something in a better position than what you found it in, and I think it’s fair to say Gary Rowett has certainly done that. We’ve gone from being a club looking over our shoulders at those in the relegation spots to being a playoff contender every season even while on a limited budget.
Prior to Rowett’s appointment I always felt survival should be the primary objective for the season but last year, with the evolution of the team in his tenure, I felt we could and should push towards the play-off places for the first time.
Although at times the style of football could be quite rigid, I always felt he had a very pragmatic approach and a lot of the players performed to a sum greater than their parts.
Regardless of how you felt towards the end, Gary Rowett without a doubt moved us forward as a football club.
- Now the big one – who do you want as the next manager?
With the current group of players we have and in terms of getting the most out them and moving us forward in the style of football we play, I think Michael Beale would be a good tactical and cultural fit.
In the past he has favoured a 4321 which could cater to the clamour for George Saville being in the team.
Effectively, you could have a combative midfield 3 of either Casper De Norre, Saville, Campbell/Mitchell, with two number 10s which could comprise Zian Flemming and a move to a more central position for Romain Esse behind Tom Bradshaw/Kevin Nisbet.
His full backs also like to progress high up the pitch giving the team width, which would allow Norton-Cuffy and Joe Bryan to have more freedom on the flanks, creating a front 5 when in possession.
He was in charge when we played QPR at home last season, they beat us comprehensively on the night. I thought they were one of the best coached and well organised team I had seen in a long time. It also important to remember he only lost eight games out of 43 at Rangers, some of which came in Europe.
I know the way he left QPR left a bitter taste, however, you can’t argue with his pedigree having high profile roles at Chelsea, Liverpool, Sao Paolo, and Aston Villa. His experience in youth football is also a huge plus point in what he can bring to the table – this could see real progress in the development of our younger players such a Romain Esse and Aidomo Emakhu.
One perceived bad job doesn’t make you a bad manager and after his stint at Rangers, I feel like he has a point to prove and why not prove that point at Millwall?
- Nathan Jones has emerged as one of the frontrunners this week. He seems to really split opinions among fans. What do you make of his mixed body of work at Luton, Southampton and Stoke?
Nathan Jones did an exceptional job as Luton manager under challenging circumstances taking them from league 2 to the playoff places in the Championship, albeit in two spells with the club. His Luton side were one of the very few teams I’ve seen physically compete and, at times, outbattle Millwall when we met
However, his spells at Stoke and Southampton left a lot to be desired.
Towards the end of his Southampton reign, he became a national banter figure where every poor Southampton performance and the corresponding post-match interview he gave was widely ridiculed, prompting a Southampton fan to bring a giant P45 to his final match in charge.
That being said, he didn’t do himself any favours in this time. If Brendan Rodgers has been labelled as being like David Brent from The Office for his press conferences, then Nathan Jones is certainly Gareth Keenan. He’d often go off on strange tangents, once stating, when referencing his Luton team ‘There weren’t many better than me in Europe for aggression, clean sheets, defending inside your box and xG’ and ‘There are certain people in the village and players in the building that we have to work with.’
Yeah, me neither…
Though, in terms of his playing style and his coaching ability he does represent the most low risk option for Millwall. We have seen a greater body of work and know what his good sides can produce. However, I’m not sure his personality will mesh well with our fanbase, and I could see this becoming very toxic, very quickly.
- It’s 17 points from 14 games and 18th in the Championship table for Millwall. I get the impression from players and caretaker boss Adam Barrett that they believe they could and should have more points on the board based on performances this season. Do you agree?
I agree we should have more points on the board, however, if we’re basing where we are purely on the teams’ performances so far this season, then disagree. Apart from the Bristol City game – where I thought a draw was probably a fairer result than a 1-0 defeat – there haven’t been many times this season I’ve come away feeling hard done by due to the result.
The home form has been poor so far this season which historically is the foundation of everything good we do in a season. Our performance levels must dramatically improve if we are to move up the table.
By contrast, the away performances – ignoring the Norwich game – have been really positive.
- Away from Millwall for a second, it seems like every week Jude Bellingham is doing something totally sensational for either club or country. It’s a long way away but when he retires, where do you think he will rank among the greats?
How we all laughed when Birmingham retired the number 22 shirt when he left for Dortmund…
On current form, Jude Bellingham is on course to be the best player of his generation. He really can do it all.
Every week he seems to get better and better, and I think people are starting to run out of superlatives for him. It amazes me how comfortable he is in being the focal point and leader of arguably the biggest team in the world with such ease at the age of 20. He plays with real passion and personality for both club and country, it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with him.
Prediction for today: Russell Martin teams have historically always frustrated Millwall, so I am going for: Millwall 0-1 Southampton
–
Harry
- It seems like every man and his dog has been linked to the job of becoming Millwall’s next manager. Who do you want?
I liked the sound of Kevin Muscat but that doesn’t look like it will happen. John Eustace as well. However my top one now is the England under 20s coach Joe Edwards.
He seems to have a different approach that will bring new fresh exciting ideas. It’s a gamble but I feel having being in the England set up, he will know how to breed success.
- Out of everyone linked to the job, is there anyone you definitely don’t want in charge?
There’s loads of managers I’d happily not see manage our club. Neil Warnock, Steve Bruce, John Terry and Frank Lampard to name a few.
Warnock and Bruce are past it in my opinion and I just don’t think Terry and Lampard would work down The Den and probably would want too much control over it all in terms of transfers and staff.
- What was the best thing about Gary Rowett’s reign and the worst thing about Gary Rowett’s reign?
I wasn’t Rowett out at any point, I felt this season we were poor at times and I think the heavy defeats at home lead to the club and Gary agreeing that they need to part ways. He goes with my respect and thanks for turning Millwall into a good Championship team.
With success come the downfall. Rowett made us such a competitive championship team that the standard have now been raised where everyone expects us to be up there at the end of the season. Those that know the championship well will know it’s never that easy. The slow start to this season and the final day last season saw us drop our standards and has led to the the departure of Rowett.
- Zian Flemming seems to be finding some really decent form in recent weeks. What have you made of him?
Zian is our best player. The problem with being our best player is that when he’s not on his game everyone notices and Millwall don’t tend to play well. A bit like Jed [Wallace] when he played for us.
He’s our talisman, our go-to man, when Flemming gets going he’s one of the best midfielders in the league. He started slow last season and look how we got on. I expect him to drive us up the table.
- Have you had a chance to watch the David Beckham documentary yet and if so what have you made of it? What’s the best sports documentary you’ve ever seen?
I’ve not watched it yet as I haven’t had time but I will get round to it. The Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance was different gravy.
Prediction for today: Very optimistic as it’s my dad’s birthday Saturday. I’m going: Millwall 3-1 Southampton
James
- Let’s cut straight to it – who do you want as the next permanent manager of Millwall?
Michael Beale
- How important is style of play to you? How much do you want the new manager to play attractive, attacking football?
I want the new manager to play more attacking football, not park the bus when we are 1-0 up in matches.
- George Saville made his first start in nine games against Watford last Saturday. Are you surprised by his sudden disappearance and why do you think he has seen so little football of late?
The squad has been quite competitive this season with Casper De Norre coming in to play in the midfield therefore competition for places has been very competitive.
- Who are your top 3 Millwall players of the season so far?
Casper De Norre, Joe Bryan, Zian Flemming.
- Table-toppers Leicester City are 15 points clear of third-placed Leeds while Ipswich, in second, have a nine point gap over Leeds with a game in hand (heading into Leeds’ game at Leicester last night). Is automatic promotion already done and dusted or will there be some twists and turns?
Leicester City will go up automatically however second place will be very close between several teams. A lot can change from now until the end of the season.
Prediction for today: Millwall 2-1 Southampton
–
Charlie, George and James all wrongly predicted Millwall to beat Swansea City 1-0 last time out – the Lions lost 3-0 – so there’s been no major changes in the Prediction Table.
You get three points for guessing the right scoreline, one point if you only correct the right result (ie win, lose or draw) and zero points if you get the wrong result. There are no bonus points for correcting the right goalscorer.