Gradual Progress Under Edwards – The View On Millwall
- Millwall take on Leicester City at King Power Stadium on Wednesday night (7:45pm GMT kick-off)
- Kiro Evans, journalist at Southwark News, gives his lowdown on the Lions under Joe Edwards
- The south London club currently sit 20th in the Sky Bet Championship
Since taking the job early in November, his first managerial role in senior football, the Lions have won once, though there is some encouragement to be taken from that resounding away success at Sheffield Wednesday.
The south London side will be under no illusions about the size of the task that they will face when visiting King Power Stadium on Wednesday night, however.
“Unfortunately, things haven’t clicked throughout the season,” Evans reflected. “There have been a few great moments - the win over Sheffield Wednesday in Joe Edwards’ first game in charge and a 3-0 win over Rotherham United earlier in the season – but overall, it just hasn’t come together.
“The last time Millwall won back-to-back games was back in March. The form over the calendar year hasn’t inspired too much confidence. There was a collapse towards the end of last season and this season it has been a real struggle for the most part, which is strange because there’s a lot of talent there. The method now is to try and find some form consistently.
“If Leicester get the first goal, it could be a long evening. Millwall just have to make sure they stay tight and go from there. The last time Millwall went away to a good side was Ipswich last weekend and they were 2-0 down after 12 minutes.
“But the fanbase for the most part are realistic. They realise that things are going to take time to change. The results have not gone their way and a bigger problem is that the teams beneath them are winning games. They are close to the bottom three and some are getting anxious. They need some results.”
Edwards arrived following Gary Rowett’s four-year tenure at The Den and while he has significant coaching pedigree, the players must continue to adapt to his methods and ways of thinking. Time may not be on his side with Millwall sitting 20th in the division and just two points above the relegation zone.
The reporter added: “He has really impressed with his knowledge and skills and he’s a very good talker. His background is largely in youth football and he then became a first team coach under Frank Lampard at Chelsea and Everton. He was also part of Thomas Tuchel’s coaching team when Chelsea won the Champions League.
“He’s got loads of experience but this is the first time he’s managed a senior side and it’s a whole new experience for him. Apart from that win over Sheffield Wednesday, it’s been a bit of a baptism of fire so far.
“There’s lots of talk about style but I think the changes have been incremental. They have been smaller than people imagine. Millwall are playing more from the back now, taking more time on the ball. The two defenders, normally Wes Harding and Jake Cooper, are quite comfortable on the ball and they now look for shorter balls into the midfield.
“The longer balls forward have largely been slimmed down. Otherwise, it’s not a major shift. There’s still an emphasis on getting it wide and putting balls into the box, being dangerous and playing front-foot football. It’s not passing it endlessly.”
Threats could come from all areas of the pitch, with several of Millwall’s key players being repositioned to suit the style of play.
“There’s going to be a challenge for Leicester, Millwall do have some dangerous players,” the journalist said. “The man really in form at the moment is midfielder Ryan Leonard. He’s been playing right-back but is so versatile he can play anywhere. Going forward, they have a new threat from right-back. He’s able to cut inside, go wide and has been their most effective player recently.
“Keep an eye out for Brooke Norton-Cuffy, the Arsenal loanee. He’s very dangerous at right wing. He used to be a right-back and has lots of energy, charisma and athleticism which could cause some issues.
“Kevin Nisbet is a very good finisher but only has four goals this season. Zian Flemming was one of the stars of last season and on his day can be very dangerous but hasn’t had enough of those days this season.”