Team News
Marlon King is set to make his debut which will probably be from the bench. This game will come too soon for Nikola Zigic but there are no new withdrawals so Chris Hughton will have plenty of options. Defender Pablo Ibanez and midfielders Wade Elliott and Guirane N’Daw could all make debuts. who has now received international clearance.
New arrivals Liam Feeney and Jay Simpson will be added to the Millwall squad for the trip. Forward Dany N’Guessan needs a fitness test on a hamstring injury as does midfielder Liam Trotter. French midfielder Therry Racon and striker Shaun Batt will also miss out.
Last Meeting
Our last meeting was in January in the FA Cup third round. Blues came back from South East London with a slightly flattering 4-1 win thanks to two goals by Matt Derbyshire.
You have to go back ten years for the last league meeting at St Andrews. Blues won 4-0 in August 2001 with 2 goals from Bryan Hughes.
Recent Form
Blues have won only one of their league fixtures although only one of those games was at home. They currently sit in 18th but have a game in hand on most of the sides above them.
Millwall sit 11th with six points from their five games although they have yet to win away. They have also qualified for the 3rd round of the Carling Cup.
Outlook
So it’s back to league action after the international break although yet again we have to wait until Sunday to play. As a result we could well find ourselves in the bottom three at kick-off. So a win on Sunday is much needed to really kick start our season especially as it is followed by a difficult trip to Southampton. With all due respect to Millwall they are a mid-table side that we need to be beating if we are to mount a promotion challenge. I also expect that home points will be vital as we have struggled away from home in recent years. Like everyone else I am excited by the Europa Cup game against Braga on Thursday but we can’t let it be a distraction from the league.
This week on the forum we have been debating who should be in the starting eleven and it’s been so refreshing to have so many options. In the space of just a few weeks we have gone from having a bench full of kids to a situation where some first teamers may not even make it into the squad. Yes we lost Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome on deadline day but they weren’t featuring anyway so the blow has been softened. I was particularly pleased with the signing of Wade Elliot and am looking forward to see what N’Daw has to offer in midfield. I would guard against putting too many new players in at once but I expect we’ll see at least three new faces on Sunday. Despite giving a master class in how not to deal with long shots Boaz Myhill will probably retain his place. If one player really needs a good performance under his belt it’s him.
So the Premiership players have left, the new squad had formed and we find ourselves at the bottom of the table. The recovery starts here.
C’mon you Blue Boys.
My prediction Blues 2 Millwall 1.
Best of luck to The Blues & Chris Hughton. As you say, the season starts here after the weeks of turmoil and uncertainty over the squad. Once the team beds into to the Hoots ‘total football’ methodology it will be very hard to beat. Under Hoots it was a joy to see the back four at Newcastle start playing the ball on the deck and keeping possession under pressure – a quiet strategy not always appreciated by all supporters. You might be struggling to make the play-offs this season with all the off-field distractions and worries you have had, but keep the faith he will get you back up again with a brand of genuine team football that doesn’t need expensive signings. A good, astute, hardworking manager – and a great loss to NUFC.
Thanks, Spotlight Kid – at last with CH we’re seeing proper football at last.