Millwall 2 - Swansea 0 (Back to Report Lists)
Better late than never, this report is actually being written on Good Friday and the reason for such tardiness? None whatsoever. I am just a lazy fat bastard, and no mistake.
The game against the sheep shaggers from Swansea was ridiculously one sided. Even before Tate got his marching orders on 25mins, we were clearly a cut above these supposedly play off chasing Welshmen and it still rankles to think that we have been short changed this season. Oor Wullie would’ve got us to the play off’s comfortably, if he had been in charge from the off.
But still…. we are where we are and the game itself was immensely enjoyable. It was good to see a Millwall team enjoying their football, playing for each other and making the opposition look like park players.
Although I cannot fathom out why oor wullie is still persevering with Dunne, at least this time he did nothing to jeopardise the result. But he gave it his best shot. As a footballer, Dunne is about as genuine as a fanny on a tranny and he should bow out gracefully and make way for someone who has some semblance of an idea as to what playing professional football is all about.
We still have to put up with Pidgers in goal as well and he still makes me feel as nervous as a midget nun on a penguin shoot, but with Senda, Robbo, Shaw and even Craig in front of him, there was little to be nervous about.
The midfield, despite Dunne’s involvement, looked good with two wingers in the shape of Hackett and loan star Smith and the excellent Dave Brammer feeding them.
Bomber and Baby boy combining again as the spearhead in attack, all boded well for the oncoming fixture.
Unfortunately, the game was barely a minute old when Baby boy took a nasty knock and to our horror, had to be stretchered off, replaced by fans favourite, Pubertz.
Not exactly the start we were hoping for but the wise learn many things from their enemies and it was soon apparent that this bunch of welsh cloggers had as much guile and refinement as a hippo on roller blades.
We dominated them, keeping possession, playing football the way it should be played, on the floor. It was clear that the Swans were getting agitated and they soon were resorting to kicking anything that moved. Referee Lewis was keen to keep the game flowing but he was given no choice with Tate, who persistently tried to kick lumps out of the vastly impressive Ryan Smith, who, I hate to say it, will never be anymore than a loan player for Millwall; lets face it, when do we ever get a break and sign an above average player? He’ll be playing in the Premier league next season, you wait and see…..
Tate was being run ragged by Smith and he didn’t take too kindly to the ritual humiliation that was being dished out to him. So he did what you would expect from a pig ignorant cretin and on 20 minutes he paid the price for another rash challenge on the beguiling Smith and got his marching orders forthwith.
To tell you the truth, Millwall were already totally in control and the fact that the Swans were reduced to 10 men really had no bearing on the final outcome. There was no way we were ever going to lose this game, such was our total dominance.
Danny Senda came perilously close to scoring when he hit a ferocious shot from a poor clearance that went just the wrong side of the post.
Chances were coming thick and fast with Harris causing all sorts of problems in the heart of the attack with Smith providing a lot of the ammunition, it was only a matter of time before something gave way and sure enough on the half hour mark, Smith once again beat the over worked Swansea left flank and sent over a teasing cross that actually hit the cross bar and fell kindly to superpube who knocked the ball back across the face of the goal to the Harris look-a-like, Robbo who gleefully rifled home the opener. 1-0!
Thoroughly deserved, it has taken Robbo over two years to score a goal at the Den, but that is no reason for all and sundry to proclaim the goal scorer as Bomber.
Bomber had his fair share of chances though and it was only the excellent goalkeeping of erstwhile Millwall ‘keeper Willie Gueret that kept the score line respectable.
The half time whistle blew and the home fans were more than happy with the first half performance.
Another good turn out of MISA reps were in attendance alongside MrsB and me. NickB, Nez, Essex Exile, Dartford, HPS, MFCTom, Elmo Putney, Mustard Sammy, Lion SE9, Dalboy to name a few and with Janie and CBL1988 sending their text mentions through and bumping into Elephantman and Simba (post match) it really was a proper MISA match and no mistaking.
The second half was soon under way and the Lord help us, oor wullie, after ten minutes or so of all out Millwall pressure, decided to tinker with the team, probably because the fat scouser Trundle was brought into the game by the Swansea coach. But surely not? Oor Wullie was getting Elliott stripped off and ready! Now as much as I understand the maxim that wise men need no advice, I have to counter with the fact that fools don’t take it. Elliott is NOT a Millwall player. He has no interest in Millwall and is only using us as a possible stepping-stone to further his career. He should not be given the time of day at the Den. He is of no use whatsoever. Please take note Mr Donachie!
So a straight swap for the inept Dunne with the inepter (is that a word?) Elliott….but no, dear reader, it was not Dunne who was removed from the field of play but the bewildered Hackett who was astonished to see his number being waved. Incredulous decision. But a single fact can spoil a good argument and oor wullie will, no doubt, point to the end result and ask exactly what did he do wrong?
To be honest, Millwall, as a team, carried on regardless and Pubey was revelling in his appointment as Baby boy’s replacement. He had a couple of really good chances to open his account, one, a header from a Danny Senda cross, should have made it 2-0 and when he was put through by Brammer he made a bit of a dog’s breakfast of it and perhaps he should have passed to either Bomber or Smith who were both in much better positions to slot home. But you can’t fault the big man’s capacity for trying.
The breakthrough finally arrived around the 70-minute mark as the impressive Tony Craig put through the effervescent Harris and as Bomber bore down on goal the desperate boot of a Swan’s defender unceremoniously upended him.
The ref wasted no time in pointing to the spot and the Welshmen offered no argument at all.
Bomber dutifully placed the ball on the spot and walloped it into the bottom right hand corner. Poor Willie stood no chance. 2-0 and effectively, game over.
Bomber nearly added a third soon after when some neat combination football from a dead ball involving Pubey, Brammer and Bomber saw the latter just miss from close in with a deft header.
It was Bomber, yet again who nearly scored at the death when he latched onto yet another cross from the superb Smith but failed to beat Big Willie who did miraculously well to get down low and save.
At times, Millwall kept the ball for an inordinate amount of time and the number of ‘olés’ greeting every pass seemed to go on forever.
We were, quite simply, far too good for Swansea and the welsh dragon had been firmly put in its place by the English Lions.
A very good afternoons entertainment and very satisfying indeed.
I still cant help thinking that we are actually one of the better teams in this division and apart from the odd bizarre result we should be preparing for a six pointer on Saturday with Nottingham Forest.
Oh well, not to worry, we can still take some delight out of beating Forest and derailing their promotion ambitions.
I vow to do the match report no later than Sunday evening and I must apologise up front with reference to Doncaster away. Me and MrsB are otherwise engaged on Monday and will not be at the game.
But I may still concoct a report of some description though…..so don’t forget, any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well….. ;-)
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