 |
 |
| Home | 1987/88 | Previous | Next |
| Division Two: Millwall v Sheff Utd Away |
| Lions' away-day blues |
|
SHELL-shocked Millwall are determined to end their away-day-blues at Sheffield United's expense tomorrow afternoon. The Lions, still smarting from their 4-0 hammering at Manchester City in midweek, have picked up only one point out of 12 on their travels this season. We had more strikes on goal than City, but the difference was that they made theirs count and we didn't." Tony Cascarino, Teddy Sheringham and George Lawrence certainly look capable of unsettling most Second Division defences once they have had time to develop more of an understanding upfront. "We have got to start tucking our chances away, especially away from home," conceded manager John Docherty after Wednesday's shattering defeat. "If we can improve our form away from home we have got to be in with a great chance, because I can't see many people beating us at the Den," stressed Cascarino. Millwall's £220,000 summer buy from Gillingham has only scored one in eight League and Cup appearances for the Lions, but he explained: "If I am going to score regularly I really need a good supply of crosses and that hasn't happened yet. "Its something that we have been working on in training, and hopefully now that Kevin O'Callaghan is fit again it will start to pay off." Steve Wood, sidelined for the last two games with a hamstring injury, looks like being called up against Sheffield, as Docherty tries to cut-out the defensive hesitancy which cost them so dearly at Maine Road. If Wood does make it, it will be the first time that the Millwall manager has been able to name all four new recruits in the same team. |
|
| WATCH US GO |
|
MILLWALL flashed a warning to the rest of the Second Division as they cruised to their first away win of the season. Insiders at the Den are quietly confident that John Docherty's new look squad have the strength in depth to end the club's frustrating 100 year wait for First Division football. And David Byrne reflected mood of optimism when he said 'I have got a message for the rest of the of Second Division - watch out for Millwall this season. "We have had a bad image in the past but that has gone now, things are changing. It is going to take the new lads time to settle in but I think the squad we've got has the potential to reach the top. "We may have lost badly at Manchester City in mid-week, but we got off to a poor start and it was always going to be a struggle from then on. "We have bounced back well though and I felt we controlled United for much of the game." Manager Docherty was rather more cautious about his side's chances, but he admitted, "We have got a strong squad and they are more capable than last year. |
|
"If I got a couple of injuries last season I wasn't able to field a strong team, but that isn't the case now. "It is the first time that I have been able to name all four summer signings in the same and we got the right result, I am pleased - but not satisfied." The Blades sleepy defence allowed Danis Salman's 23rd minute through ball to reach Byrne, who cooly flicked it over the advancing Sheffield keeper. Richard Cadette snatched an undeserved 69th minute equaliser after a goalmouth scramble, but that goal only had the effect of spurring stylish Millwall forward again. And it was no surprise when Kevin O'Callaghan drilled home their late winner after a superb inter-change between Tony Cascarino and Terry Hurlock. RATINGS: Home **, Salmon ***, N. Coleman ***, Hurlock ***, Walker **, Wood *** ,Byrne ****, Briley **, Lawrence ****, Cascarino ***, O'Callaghan *** Referee: N.Midgely (Bolton). Match rating: 2 |
|
|
|
· David Byrne - full of confidence |
|
Millwall sound a warning |
| Sheffield Utd 1 Millwall 2 |
|
UNITED 'S Jeff Eckhardt was boosted when his father won the club's £1,000 prize draw - but precious little else went right for the big defender. He lingered enough to put David Byrne onside and on target for Millwall's opening goal. And when Eckhardt and his fellow defenders pushed up for an attempted late winner, Millwall's £85,000 singing Kevin O'Callaghan pushed in for a last-gasp decider. A scrambled equaliser by £130,000 buy Richard Cadette in the 69th minute looked to have put Sheffield back with a chance of victory! Afterwards Millwall marksman Byrne said: "A great result. Our new singings are knitting together and we've the potential to get up there". |
| Byrne hands out warning |
|
by ALAN BIGGS GOALSCORER David Byrne warned that Millwall could be in the First Division next season after their 2-1 victory over Sheffield United. The London club have spent around £600,000 on new talent and Byrne insisted: "We have got the potential to go all the way this season." His 24th-minute opener set up Millwall 's first away win of the season, with Kevin O'Callaghan snatching the winner after Richard Cadette had equalised. Millwall manager John Docherty believes he has finally seen off the injury jinx and aid: "You saw the result. We have got a strong squad now." |
| Sheffield Utd 1 Millwall 2 |
|
By JOHN TREVOR KEVIN O 'Callaghan grabbed a dramatic late winner from Hurlock's through ball - but it was amazing Millwall hadn't sealed it long before, because United were awful. Cadette must wonder why they signed him for £130.000 in the summer. He gets no service. His equaliser was a point blank toe poke. Beagrie forced a spectacular save from Horne but from the corner, an almighty scramble developed in the Millwall goalmouth and Cadette got the touch. Millwall had taken the lead when United's defence froze and the keeper was late coming off the line as Hurlock's through ball floated in. And then Byrne spotted his chance with a simple flick over the stranded Andy Leaning sending the ball dribbling home. |
| Home | 1987/88 | Previous | Next |
The Millwall History Files The Millwall Story since the early 1980's
[Home] [Contents]
[Links] [Search] |