Four takeaways from Millwall’s 1-0 defeat to Reading – blanks have all ended in defeats and changes could be on cards for Burnley

Millwall saw their hopes of recording six straight home Championship wins dashed on Saturday as Naby Sarr’s goal took Reading to the top of the table.

Here are Richard Cawley’s four takeaways from the match.

BLANKETY BLANK

All four of Millwall’s defeats this season have seen them fail to score and they definitely struggled to create chances on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Joe Lumley’s performances have been questioned at both Middlesbrough and since he joined Reading this summer but he had a pretty comfortable afternoon in SE16.

You expected the Lions to put real pressure on the Royals backline but they only had one effort on target, Tom Bradshaw’s third-minute header which Lumley held at his near post as the hosts came out of the traps with real intent. Sadly is wasn’t to last.

Danny McNamara’s deflected cross came back off the woodwork in the second period but this was an ineffectual attacking display.

Millwall only won three corners and it was only in the closing stages that they began to apply a bit more pressure.

In saying that, Reading had the best chances and Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long both failed to convert when put through on goal to give Reading a more commanding victory.

WHAT CHANGES COULD WE SEE AT BURNLEY?

There were plenty of Millwall fans hoping that Andreas Voglsammer and Zian Flemming would start against the Royals but instead they only got the final 33 minutes – a triple change with Tyler Burey also introduced to the action.

You’ve got to fancy that Voglsammer could get his first start at Burnley on Tuesday night with Benik Afobe struggling to impact matches. Last season’s top scorer has blanked in the opening six games and never really looked like ending that barren run, appealing hopefully for a penalty when Naby Sarr slid across to block his second-half shot.

We always knew the Lions would miss the dynamism and energy of Jed Wallace – coupled with the explosive pace of the sidelined Mason Bennett – and unfortunately bringing in a ready-made replacement would have been beyond their budget. Burey has the ability to run at defences but is still learning his trade.

SARR ENJOYS THE DEN

Naby Sarr didn’t have happy memories of playing at Millwall after being bullied at the back post when Matt Smith scored a stoppage time winner in the South London derby against Charlton a few years ago. But he took just 14 minutes to mark his Reading debut with a goal.

For a side of the aerial prowess of Rowett’s team, it was disappointing to see them lose not one but two challenges in the box. Tom Ince’s free-kick was helped on by Sam Hutchinson and then Sarr beat Murray Wallace at the back post to head past Bartosz Bialkowski.

Millwall have conceded nine goals in six matches, one more than at the same stage of the 2021-22 season, with their only clean sheet coming against a poor Stoke City on the opening day.

TEST OF CHARACTER

Millwall have largely tended to find a reaction after a disappointing result and it would be absolutely no surprise if they did exactly that against a Burnley side who were 5-1 victors at Wigan yesterday.

If you park the EFL Cup defeat to Cambridge, the Lions have gone nine away matches without a win – drawing five of those.

What should give a bit of encouragement is that Vincent Kompany’s Clarets have yet to win on their own patch – sharing a point apiece with Luton, Hull and Blackpool.

Millwall had the second most draws in the 2021-22 season (15) and the most in the 2020-21 season (17).

If anyone wins a bet based off that, I can send over my bank account and sort code for my commission fee.