Millwall: Five factors behind why the Lions are unlikely to aim for promotion to the Premier League, with a place in the Championship play-offs already assured | Soccer News

Millwall are eyeing promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Championship play-off spots have already been secured and automatic promotion still within reach.

A win or draw against Leicester on Friday night, broadcast live on Sky Sports, would take them into second place and put renewed pressure on promotion rivals Ipswich, who currently have one game in hand over the Lions on goal difference. But on paper, the Tractor Boys face an even trickier problem.

So how did Millwall, with below-middle budgets and below-middle wages, reach this lofty position? Here are five factors that lift them up…

Friday, April 24th 7:30pm

Kickoff at 8pm

neil knows

Any assessment of Millwall’s progress must start with their manager. There is financial backing from chairman James Berilson, and director of football Steve Gallen has led a successful recruitment campaign in recent days. But Neil has put it all together and created a team that can’t be ignored.

His experience was key in the business end of this season. Success in three play-off campaigns (Scotland, League One and Championship) has allowed him to manage the mentality of players who have little idea what it takes to take the next step.

“I never encourage my players to read or listen to other people’s opinions. We just focus on what’s in front of us. We don’t get carried away with anything,” he says of keeping his team grounded. But their success doesn’t come as a surprise to him.

“I understand how important it is to the club, how important it is to the fans, certainly to me and to the players. But when you work every day, every minute, to get somewhere, you can’t sit there as if you’ve won the lottery, because it’s not luck, and it’s a tough graft every day for every single person at the club.”

Neil also encouraged his players to enjoy the opportunities they have created. “Embrace it, really enjoy it and don’t miss it.”

Neil’s on-field technical, tactical and situational know-how was vital for Millwall, a club that has finished in the top half of the Championship without making the play-offs six times in the past eight seasons.

Strong bond with Captain Cooper

Millwall finished bottom of the Championship play-offs 24 years ago. Mark McGee, who took them there, said this week that his unforgettable memories were not just of the quality of the team in 2001/02, but of the spirit they shared and the friendship between them that continues to this day.

The current Millwall crop has a similar bond. “They fight for each other, they look out for each other, they support each other,” says Neil.

Captain Jake Cooper sets the tone. Although he has been playing the longest, he is still the first player to come to the practice field every day. Ten years on from his time at Millwall, the towering centre-back is leading his team-mates to new heights.

There were also jokes about his mullet hairstyle, which midfielder Massimo Luongo said this month was typical of the relaxed atmosphere in the camp. This team has some talented players, but united behind Cooper they are worth more than the sum of their parts.

nasty defense

Cooper has also performed very well on the pitch, ranking second in the Championship for aerial duels won and fifth for clearances. Not only does he pose a huge attacking threat from set-pieces, he also commands a backline with one of the best defensive records in the division.

With Caleb Taylor his regular partner at centre-back and Zak Sturge and Tristan Klama performing well at full-back, Millwall have the most clean sheets in the league (17).

They are well protected by the relentless running of midfielder Casper de Norre, and that combination is the foundation on which they will build their promotion challenge.

Away day record breaker

Those defensive numbers were even more impressive on the road, conceding just 23 goals in 22 games.

The lazy cliché is to say “Millwall: a hard place to go”. But things proved even tougher for the opposition once Millwall came to town.

When their away results are ranked, they come out on top with a club-record 11 wins over Den.

Away games suit their strengths: solid defence, set-piece threat and counter-attacking options. Back-to-back games at Ipswich and Middlesbrough either side of the March international break saw Millwall take four points from their promotion rivals, underscoring their ability to perform wherever they are.

Players who make a difference in attack with Azeez

Of course, there are limits to how much hard work, team cohesion, and defensive play can all advance you. Magic is also required.

Femi Azeez is the main magician. Azeez, who was named in the EFL Championship Team of the Year (along with Kurama), has nine goals and seven assists so far this season. Whether cutting in from the right and shooting with his favored left foot, or turning outside and crossing, Azeez has been a rare presence for opposing defenses all season.

More recently, number 10 Camiel Negri has also joined the party, contributing four goals in the last six games and showing off the technical talent that has belatedly caught the attention of the Eredivisie.

The pair have displayed creativity and finesse around tireless strikers Josh Coburn and Mihailo Ivanovic, with 18 goals between them and kilometers on goal.

Verdict: Underrated Neal must help Lions avoid late blunders

Sky Sports’ Gary Weaver said on the EFL podcast ‘Essential EFL’:

“Millwall’s away games have been excellent and they have 40 points, the highest in the Championship this season. They have won 23 of their 43 games, only Coventry have won more.

“Alex Neil is very underrated. Tactically he’s brilliant. He changed things against Middlesbrough and figured out the shape of the team.

“Millwall will be looking to put together a great final day at home to Oxford.

“It’s a strange situation and Leicester manager Gary Rowett could be dealing a blow to his old club. Millwall are going to a club in turmoil but this is the Championship. You get strange results at this stage of the season.”