Four takeaways from Millwall’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United – Rowett could set new record and Ballard back with a bang
Millwall kept their Championship play-off prospects alive as Jake Cooper’s 61st-minute header ensured they took maximum points off Sheffield United in SE16.
Here are Richard Cawley’s takeaways from the match.
WIN AT READING CAN BE A ROWETT RECORD
One of the key stats to come out of the weekend’s match was that the Lions had won four in a row in the Championship for the first time since March 2018, when they went so close to reaching the play-offs by chaining together a 17-game unbeaten run.
But if they can make it five at Reading this weekend it will be a first for manager Gary Rowett, whose best winning run stands at four.
He last achieved that in the 2017-18 season – actually doing it twice in that campaign as his Derby County side went on to lose to Fulham in the play-off semi-final.
Rowett also had four league victories on the spin at both Birmingham City and Burton Albion.
His average points return as Millwall manager is 1.47 per game. Saturday was his 48th win in 124 games, with 39 draws and 37 losses.
JED CLOSING IN ON DOUBLE DIGITS
It was Jed Wallace’s free-kick which Jake Cooper powered past Wes Foderingham at the weekend with the Lions’ number seven back to his influential best.
Wallace has assisted in two of his last three matches, as well as scoring the opening goal in last week’s 2-1 win at Derby County, and needs just two more to move into double figures for the second time in four Championship campaigns.
The website transfermarkt’s stats show that his best season for assists was 12 in the 2019-20 season and Jed still has 13 matches to add to his current haul.
It’s been absolutely no coincidence that Millwall’s upturn in form has mirrored Wallace producing some excellent displays. When he goes in the summer, which looks an almost certainty, it will be tough to replace his quality on Millwall’s budget.
STRONG DEFENCE A BIG BOOST AT HOME
Only Fulham (37), Blackburn (36), Middlesbrough (35) and QPR (33) have taken more points at home than Millwall (32) in the Championship this season.
And the Lions are third for fewest goals conceded on their own patch, only letting in 13 in 17 matches. It’s worth adding that the clubs above them – West Brom (eight) and Sheffield United (11) have played two fixtures fewer.
Bart Bialkowski has kept four clean sheets in his last seven matches, with 43 shutouts in 130 games for the Lions.
The Poland goalkeeper did not have a whole lot of saves to make at the weekend – thanks to some top notch defending in front of him – but did dive bravely at the feet of Morgan Gibbs-White as well as tipping over Jack Robinson’s effort, which actually could have been a misdirected cross.
BIG DAN’S BACK
Shaun Hutchinson’s injury saw Dan Ballard make his first appearance for Millwall in three months after a spell on the sidelines following knee surgery.
And the Arsenal loanee slotted seamlessly back into the Lions defence.
Despite only playing the last 26 minutes he won six aerial duels – the joint-highest in the contest along with United’s Robinson – as well as claiming the most interceptions (three). The 22-year-old was only behind Jake Cooper (six) with his four clearances.
