Millwall will be looking for their first away win of the season tomorrow as they travel to Edgeley Park, no doubt surrounded by about a thousand police officers collecting their pay whilst doing absolutely nothing.
The last time these sides met at EP, they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with one of the best atmospheres of the season from the Cheadle End.
County came from 2 goals down to grind out a 2-2 draw that, in truth, could have been turned into 3 points for the Hatters as Matty McNeil and then a deflected Oli Johnson strike sealed the draw. An incorrect offside decision prevented County from claiming the win with a last minute disallowed strike from Johnson.
County are, of course, coming into the game off the back of that morale-boosting 1-0 televised victory at Prenton Park over struggling Tranmere.
Vital Quotes:
Gary Ablett: ‘It will be another tough game against Millwall.
But we have the ability to work hard and the quality to go and play.’
‘Tommo (Peter Thompson) worked his socks off against Tranmere and I thought he was outstanding.’
‘He doesn’t get the credit he deserves a lot of the time.’
‘He just needs to score a goal for his confidence. Once that comes we’ll have a very good player on our hands.’
‘It’s always going to be hard the way we play with Greg Tansey and Carl Baker sat in behind him, but he battles away with very little support.’
‘He could probably do with a lot more help than he gets, but we’ll get there with him.’
County Team News:
On-loan Reading striker Nick Bignall has returned to his parent club to for at least two weeks to receive treatment on a hamstring strain. Northern Irish striker Peter Thompson will be up front again.
Bignall is targeting the Norwich tie on 13th November for his return.
Matty Mainwaring is edging closer to fitness as he starts light training next week, on the road to recovery from his nasty broken leg.
Player to watch: Peter Thompson
As I said in the team news, Thompson will continue up front tomorrow. Probably on his own. Meaning he won’t score. Again. And the fans will get on his back. Again.
HE NEEDS A PARTNERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Millwall Team News:
Millwall captain Paul Robinson could return after six weeks out with an ankle injury.
But Darren Ward, Zak Whitbread, Pat O’Connor, Danny Senda and Ali Fuseini remain on the sidelines.
Player to watch: Neil Harris
Harris, a prolific striker anyway (and leading Millwall scorer of all time), has just ended a public feud with Swindon defender Kevin Amankwaah, in which Amankwaah, during the match between the sides, is alleged to have negatively commented on Harris’ brave cancer battle. Amankwaak then claimed that Harris had racially insulted him. ALLEGEDLY.
Harris will be fired up to put it all behind him and grab a few more goals tomorrow.
Match Odds
County – 7/10
Draw – 12/5
Millwall – 16/5
Match Prediction:
0-0. 4500 in attendance. Police officers, that is.
Next Fixtures:
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Coca-Cola Football League One
Brentford v Stockport, 15:00
