Ahead of the weekend’s trip to the Den, we chat to the folks at That Millwall Podcast to get all the lowdown on Sunderland’s next opponents.
F1878: Millwall are having a solid season thus far after an initial shaky start, with six wins, five draws and four defeats. Four of those wins coming back to back. How do you see the campaign going for the Lions and what are your expectations come May?
TMP: It’s been a great turnaround. We went from 2 wins in 10 games to 3 in 10 days We’ve gotten healthier and there seams to be a lot more of an understanding upstairs now which was an issue early in the season of adjusting to the amount of turnover we had player and board-room wise. The expectation was stay up and assess but now who knows we look really good.
F1879: Head coach Neil Harris has been in the dugout since February 2024. What is his relationship like with supporters?
TMP: Harris’ relationship with the fans believe it or not can be split. While he’s arguably the greatest Millwall figure outside of the late John Berylson there are some who think he isn’t tactically there or the right guy to lead the club into the modern era which we are now doing with becoming a producer of players looking at talent and potential re-sale. It’s been hard for Harris to adjust form manager to now head coach and have younger players with a clear boardroom direction but his relationship will always be that he is Mr Millwall.
F1879: Harris reportedly deploy a low to mid block and is quite defensive in his style of play, albeit it now seems to be bearing some fruit. Is his team very much in the mould of what you might expect from a Milllwall team – from tactical perspective – or is he adding anything different to proceedings?
TMP: It’s an attitude deployment first and foremost. Harris expects discipline shape and work rate. You won’t get into a Harris side without having those 3 attributes. After that it’s then execution. That’s why we’re so good defensively we just want it more. Harris knows how to get players going and the players are responding. Once we have that set we’re a very good attacking side we get forward in numbers and some of the play has been extremely good to watch.
F1879: The stats show that defensively the Lions have conceded only two more goals than the Black Cats after 15 games. Yet, going forward, goals going the other way have been – at least by comparison – a little more difficult to secure. Is the secret so far been the resolve at the back?
TMP: Same as above. Discipline. Shape. Effort. Ryan Leonard and Japhet Tanganga are two of arguably the best defenders in the league. Japhet is another league defender and they’re just so sound at the back everyone knows their roles and that’s also key with the midfielders. Savile and Casper lead the entire EFL in interceptions this season speaking volumes to our shape and discipline.
F1879: What formation/tactics do you think Harris will use against Sunderland? Will there be any tweaks?
TMP: Usually a 4-2-3-1 but I sense he’s itching to get back to a 442 which we saw at Stoke away in the 1-1 draw before the break. I don’t expect many changes.
F1879: Who do you think will be in Millwall’s starting XI?
TMP: 4-2-3-1, Jensen – Leonard, Cooper, Tanganga, Bryan – Savile, Casper – Esse, Honeyman, Azeez – Coburn.
F1879: Who have been the standout players so far this season for Millwall and which ones should Sunderland be most concerned about?
TMP: Romaine Esse. He leads the league in successful dribbles and just so unpredictable with the ball at his feet. He gets himself into fantastic areas and draws a lot of fouls. He’s so young and playing well for both Millwall and England. We won’t see him hear for long with Premier League clubs circling. Also Japhet Tanganga is just a Rolls Royce of a defender.
F1879: Which Sunderland player do you think Millwall fans will be most concerned about going into match?
TMP: Jobe is someone you have to watch he likes to drift into pockets also Cirkin is sneaky good at driving forward and also a great defender.
F1879: Which Millwall player do you think Sunderland should be most worried about?
TMP: Romaine Esse all for the reasons labelled. Just a joy to watch and a dangerous player with the ball at his feet.
F1879: Where do you predict Sunderland and Millwall will finish in the league?
TMP: At this rate both teams look very hard to beat. Play-offs, why not aye.
F1879: What is your score prediction for the clash against the Black Cats?
TMP: If this was at the SoL I’d say a Sunderland win but at the Den unbeaten in 7 is hard for anyone. Coming off LFG beating Leeds and Burnley without conceding and Sunderland suffering some draws I think Millwall win 2-0.
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