SCOUT REPORT: MILLWALL
City are five points clear at the top of Championship and will be looking to consolidate their lead when the Lions of Millwall visit on Saturday (kick-off 3.00pm).
No longer than a month ago Millwall were the division's form team, with an unbeaten run stretching to thirteen games that saw them in the heart of the Play-Off mix. They have dropped off slightly in recent weeks withKenny Jackett's side now seventh, but that, of course, is still well in touch with the front-running pack.
Their most recent result is probably one of the more disappointing they have had so far this season. Last Saturday saw them go down 2-1 at home to a Barnsley side that had only won two games on the road previous to that fixture. Millwall’s goal that day once again came from the impressive Chris Wood. Cardiff fans may be glad to hear that his parent club West Bromwich Albion have recalled him and he will not feature this Saturday. He will be a big loss to the London side after scoring eleven goals in nineteen games during his time on loan at the Den.
Millwall have had some mixed form on the road this season. They have had some impressive wins such as their 4-1 win at the City ground against Nottingham Forest, but at the other end of the spectrum they have lost 3-0 at Ipswich Town. The Lions have scored as many goals as they have conceded away from home, with nineteen going in at either end.
Key Players: could feature after being out of the squad all season with a groin injury.Jon Marquis who have toe and knee injuries respectively. Striker Chris Taylor. Keogh has got five goals and is also has the joint highest number assists of any of the Millwall squad with six. However, he will likely miss the Cardiff fixture along with Andrew Keogh. He has got seven goals in the league and normally would be partnered by former City loanee Darius Henderson the Lions’ squad has still got plenty of game winners. Second top scorer behind Wood is striker Chris Wood,Despite the exit of
The other player on six assists is midfielderJames Henry. Henry has represented both Scottish and English international age groups. He is a versatile midfielder who can play both central and right wing roles. He has also netted three times to add to his assists.Jimmy Abdoureturns to the squad this week after being away on compassionate leave.
Previous Meetings:The past records between the two sides are very close, with the total games between the two sides resulting in Millwall only having a better tally by one solitary win. The Lions have won twenty fixtures, City have won won nineteen and there have been twenty-two games ending all square.
Millwall have not beaten Cardiff since the 2004/5 season and Cardiff will be looking for their first double over the Bermondsey outfit since the 1982/83 campaign. Out of the last ten fixtures between the teams there have been seven draws.
Last Meeting: Millwall 0–2 Cardiff City (18/09/2012)
Malky Mackay orchestrated City’s first win at Millwall since 1982 when the Welsh side visited the capital earlier this year.
Cardiff had looked like they had taken the lead in the first half only forPeter Whittingham’sfree kick to be disallowed for an apparent infringement byAron Gunnarssonin the build up. After fifty-three minutes Whittingham did give the travelling Bluebirds the lead though after his emphatic, curled twenty yard strike found the back of the net. Only two minutes laterCraig Noone, the provider for the first goal scored one himself, Tommy Smith playing the ball to Noone who fired home pastMaik Taylor. City held onto the 2-0 lead and recorded an impressive win.
Millwall Line-up: Forde, Shittu, Goodman, Racon.Subs not used:Taylor, Dunne, Lowry, Osbourne, Malone, Wright (Taylor), Trotter, Henry (Batt), Abdou, Henderson (Wood), Keogh.
Cardiff City Line-up:Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Connolly, Taylor, Whittingham, Noone (Kim), Gunnarsson, Mutch, Smith, Maynard (Helguson). Subs not used: Lewis, Nugent, Cowie, Velikonja, Mason.
