MillwallSport

The lowdown on Millwall 2 Watford 3 – Woodwork pain as defeat underlines importance of adding in attack

Alex Grace

Millwall started their 2024-25 Championship season on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline against Watford at The Den on Saturday lunchtime.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Millwall: Jensen, Leonard (McNamara 84), Hutchinson, Cooper, Bryan, Saville, De Norre, Esse (Emakhu 62), Honeyman (Langfstaff 62), Watmore, Bradshaw (Nisbet 84). Subs not used: Roberts, Harding, Leahy, Smith, Massey

Watford: Bachmann, Ngakia (Sema 74), Sierralta, Porteous, Pollock, Chakvetadze (Ince 90), Sissoko, Bayo (Rajovic 74), Dele-Bashiru, Kayembe, Andrews. Subs not used: Bond, Louza, Vata, Morris, Baah, Larouchi.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

Watford edged Millwall 3-2 in a dramatic Championship opener at The Den. Edo Kayembe’s 23rd-minute corner sailed directly into the net, giving Watford the lead. Millwall hit the woodwork twice, with George Honeyman and George Saville denied.
Giorgi Chakvetadze’s stunning 30-yard free-kick doubled Watford’s advantage early in the second half. Duncan Watmore pulled one back for Millwall, then levelled in the 88th minute with a low strike. But Watford struck back immediately, with Mileta Rajovic heading in the winner a minute later to seal the victory.TACTICAL APPROACH

Millwall set up as we expected in a 4-2-3-1 formation, putting plenty of emphasis on set-pieces. However at times they were overrun in midfield. The main problem for the Lions was trying to find that final ball and just some general creativity. Millwall head coach Neil Harris took risks after Watford went 2-0 up, bringing on the extra pace of Aidomo Emakhu and the physicality of Macaulay Langstaff.

STAR MAN
Duncan Watmore took both of his finishes well. But, Watford’s Giorgi Chakvetadze ran the game and topped off his fine performance with that stunning free-kick.

BEST MOMENT
The poignant moment ahead of kick-off as both teams and sets of fans came together to remember former Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who passed away in the summer at the age of just 26. It was a moment that football came together and united.

MOAN OF THE MATCH
The width of the goalposts are the biggest moan for Lions fans as they were twice denied by the woodwork on what would turn out to be a very frustrating afternoon. The lack of a final ball when they got into good positions was another massive gripe on the day.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

Millwall’s lack of creativity was a big problem throughout pre-season. A lot of pressure was being put on Romain Esse to spark Millwall into life, he struggled at first to get into the game. This further enforces what Lions head coach Neil Harris has been saying in the last few weeks. Millwall badly need some incomings at the top end of the pitch.

As much as Esse is a superb young talent and prospect, he can’t be relied on to be the main source of Millwall’s creativity all season. The club have got players that can score goals, in Bradshaw and Langstaff, but they need to be supplied.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“I have watched it back but, I haven’t seen it from an angle that would conclude if it’s offside or not. There has not been a lot of noise in the changing room about it being offside.
“I dont think we settled very well at the start, we looked very emotional in our decision making, I understand that, it was tough for all of us today, I thought first half hour we didn’t play particularly well, went behind to a goal that doesn’t belong in U12s football, let alone first-team football at The Den. We should have scored when we hit the post but, if we don’t score it should be a penalty.
“Second half we was excellent. Their second goal was a sucker punch because they hadn’t got into our final third until that moment. Getting back to 2-2, we were bold and we were brave. We were excellent with our forward movement, we used the ball well and scored two really good goals.
“I’m really disappointed with my group for the manner of the third goal, it’s really poor by us.”
PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS

2 thoughts on “The lowdown on Millwall 2 Watford 3 – Woodwork pain as defeat underlines importance of adding in attack”

  • Peter Crow
    10 August 2024 at 20:12
    Permalink

    Whoever wrote this must have been at a very different game to me and to the other supporters around me – we were terrible absolutely terrible.
    Comments are being made that we need to strengthen up front – as if that is something new….our forward line has carried no threat for several seasons. There is more to being the CF in a decent championship side than just running around – like Bradshaw? He does not and cannot win anyball punted aerially and aimlessly forward – he is useless and not a target man.
    We used to be tight at the back – now we are not. The Goalkeepers personal performance was also terrible – and cost us the game. Harris you need to buck up and BUY some decent strikers – or maybe play yourself! We looked terrible from start to finish

    Reply
  • Peter Crow
    10 August 2024 at 23:33
    Permalink

    Whoever wrote this must have been at a very different game to me and to the other supporters around me – we were terrible absolutely terrible.
    Comments are being made that we need to strengthen up front – as if that is something new….our forward line has carried no threat for several seasons. There is more to being the CF in a decent championship side than just running around – like Bradshaw? He does not and cannot win anyball punted aerially and aimlessly forward – he is useless and not a target man.
    We used to be tight at the back – now we are not. The Goalkeepers personal performance was also terrible – and cost us the game. Harris you need to buck up and BUY some decent strikers – or maybe play yourself! We looked terrible from start to finish

    Reply

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