With Alex Neil in the dugout for tomorrow's game, we spoke to the lads from That Millwall Podcast to discuss how our former manager has done so far, along with a few ex-players, and who we should be keeping an eye on...
Let's address the elephant in the room - what are your thoughts on current manager and our old friend, Alex Neil?
He came in to a tricky job, replacing club legend Neil Harris under very strange circumstances, and our form was starting to become a real concern. He’s done a sterling job so far, the football is a work in progress but he’s getting us results and players are improving. He’s done a fantastic job with the younger players as well. Most importantly he seems to just get us as fans. He’s a bit of a miserable fucker but that’s a match made in heaven for Millwall, right?
Currently 11th, on 51 points. WBA are currently 6th on 57, are you still holding out any hope for play-offs?
Until it’s mathamatically impossible, the dream is still very much alive. If you have a scroll through Millwall twitter or walking through the concourses, absolutely no one is talking about a play off-push though which I think speaks volumes really. Personally I can’t see it happening, but stranger things have happened in football. If you can’t dream then what’s the point?
Aaron Connolly has been at Millwall since January, scoring once in 10 league appearances. How's he been?
He's been a bit of a suprise. Not a signing that anyone was excited about, but he’s having an impact on the pitch and you can see there’s a player in there. We’ve been playing him off the wing which seems to suit him more than up top. Importantly, he just looks happy and settled in himself. Millwall has always been a great landing spot for players that have lost their way and need a home. Hopefully we can be that for Aaron as well because he’s technically a very good player.
What are your thoughts on two more former SAFC men, George Honeyman and Duncan Watmore?
You could never fault either of them for attitude and application. Honeyman in particular runs through brick walls for the shirt. Unfortunately both struggle for consistency and technically probably aren’t at the level required for a top half Championship team. I believe they're both out of contract at the end of the season and I'd be very suprised if both are kept on.
Mihailo Ivanovic is your top scorer with six, what kind of player is he?
He’s affectionately referred to as 'the big fucking Serbian'. Which maybe says it all? He gets stuck in, and doesn’t stop running which is a prerequisite to play for Millwall. Technically he’s actually a really good player as well, your typical “good feet for a big man” type player. Also capable of a worldy. If you get a spare five minutes take a look at the boy's goals catalogue!
Other than him, who are some of your best players?
Japhet Tanganga is a Premier League quality defender and if he’s on his game, you’re in for a tough afternoon. Casper De Norre is one of those unsung hero’s in midfield that puts in solid performances every single week and he’s in particularly good form at the moment. Femi Azeez and Aidomo Emakhu on the wings can both be dangerius as well, both lightning quick and love to take on the full back. If they fancy it, we tend to come away with three points.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most?
Normally I’d say Patrick Roberts, he always seems to have a great game against us, but it’s also difficult to look past Jobe and Isidor isn’t it? Both clearly top players. But from what I’ve seen, arguably your most important player is Mundle. You just look so much more dangerous and balanced when he’s playing. So I’m going to say he’s the one that concerns me most.
Bearing in mind last time Alex Neil came to the SoL he beat us 5-1 with Stoke, what's your score prediction for Saturday? Goalscorers?
We don’t seem to do well up at your place… but I can’t go against the boys. I’m going to go 2-1 to Millwall. Two shots on target and 20% possession. Proper old school Millwall to get us right back in the play-off hunt. Goalscorers: Ivanovic and Cooper.
Finally, where do you reckon we'll both finish?
Millwall probably 10-12th. If we’re being honest we’re not at the level to catch the teams above us in my opinion. From where we were at Christmas this would be a cracking finish. For Sunderland, 4th. Again I just don’t think you have the squad to catch the three above you. No shame in that whatsoever with the financial clout they all have. I don’t think anyone expected you to be as good as you have been before the season started! If I’m also being honest I’m not sure you go up in the play-offs either. But it’s always a lottery...
