GARY Rowett explained his decision to start with Callum Styles and Jamie Shackleton against West Brom after keeping a near-identical lineup for the previous three matches.
The Millwall boss had stuck by the idea of not changing a winning formula by naming the same team and bench to face Rotherham United, Middlesbrough and Bristol City.
He made two changes against Watford on Tuesday night, albeit that one was enforced after Murray Wallace picked up a groin injury at Ashton Gate. He did the same again at The Den on Saturday, bringing in Styles and Shackleton for Mason Bennett and George Saville.
Tyler Burey ended up missing out on a place in the lineup despite his impressive recent performances, but was given enough time to change the game off the bench by scoring a late winner
“We had to make some changes today,” he explained after the game.
“I thought Benno would struggle to go again. Sav was ill last night, he was sick. He typified the squad when he rang me this morning and said: ‘I’m desperate to play, just let me get out there’. I just felt it was too big a call after Wednesday and I decided to keep him away.
“The players that came in did really, really well. I very nearly started Tyler. I felt if it was a similar type of game to Watford early on and a little bit scrappy, I just didn’t feel that was really Tyler’s type of game.
“What he is very, very good at is when the game starts to get a little bit more open and defending players start to get a little bit tired – to have Benik Afobe, Tyler Burey, Mason Bennett and George Honeyman to bring on – those type of attacking players start testing them in the 80th minute, 85th minute. Sometimes that is what wins you the game as much as the first period.
“Cressy showed a lot of character coming on after a tough period [out of the side]. He has worked really hard and he’s got his rewards because he played really, really well. He gave us a little bit of composure on the ball.”
Photo: Millwall FC