Millwall v West Brom: James Shan chases four in a row
If Albion emerge from The Den with all three points, it will be their longest winning run of the season.
When first-team coach James Shan took over as caretaker, he challenged the Baggies to worry the top two by winning all their remaining fixtures.
It seemed fanciful at the time and still remains unlikely with seven games left.
But Albion are heading to Millwall brimming with confidence after three wins on the spin under Shan, a self-confessed optimist who continues to impress.
The performances haven’t been wholly convincing all the time, but they have slowly improved each time around.
The players seem to have responded to Shan’s pragmatic approach, and speak highly of his methods.
Considering he continues to operate on a strange game-by-game basis, this trip to the capital will be another test of his mettle.
Will he and his coaching team learn from the mistakes last Friday which put the Baggies on the back foot in the first half?
James Morrison was played out of position on the right wing, and Albion looked far more balanced after the break once Hal Robson-Kanu came on.
His physical presence may help against a functional Millwall side, particularly if the Baggies want to go direct again.
That may create space for Dwight Gayle’s nippy runs in behind to go slightly more unnoticed.
Matt Phillips has suffered a setback to his recover from an ankle injury and will miss out, but Kieran Gibbs is back in training.
However, Conor Townsend is visibly growing as each game passes, and would be unfortunate to lose his place at left-back.
Shan also has a tricky trip to Bristol City three days later to think about, and the caretaker will no doubt be forced to delve into his squad over the next week.
Does he hold anybody back for that game at Ashton Gate against a resurgent Robins side?
“At under-23 level sometimes you’re lucky to have 14 players,” said Shan. “The team picks itself week in week out.
“Managing the size of the group and bits of media work are the biggest difference.”
So far, the caretaker has sliced the gap to the top two from nine points down to six.
He has got Albion looking up again, rather than down, and a fourth victory in a row will keep the pressure up on those above.
Sheffield United and Leeds also face tough away trips this weekend, but Shan knows Albion can’t get ahead of themselves.
“We’re not getting carried away and we take every game in isolation,” he added. “But our focus as pros is to try and win every single game.
“If we were to win the remaining games it would take us to 91 points.
"Depending on what happens above us, there’s always that optimism to get promoted automatically.
"If we do sit in the play-offs it’s important to gain some momentum with our results, with a winning mentality.”
Likely line-up:
Subs: Bond, Bartley, Gibbs, Field, Johansen, Murphy, Edwards.
Millwall (4-4-2): Martin, Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, Meredith, J Wallace, Tunnicliffe, Leonard, Marshall, Thompson, Gregory.
Pie and a pint:
Unsurprisingly, there are few away fan-friendly pubs near the New Den. Many drink near London Bridge station before hopping on the train to the game.
Memory lane:
Albion have never won at the New Den. There last win at Millwall came at Cold Blow Lane’s ‘old’ Den back in 1987 thanks to a solitary Bobby Williamson goal.
Key man:
Hal Robson-Kanu
Helped make space for Dwight Gayle after coming on as sub and his physical presence could be vital against Millwall tomorrow.
Danger man:
Lee Gregory
It’s been a tough season for the Lions, but 11-goal top scorer Gregory has been one of their shining lights.
Currently just a point and one place above the Championship drop zone, striker Gregory’s goals have been vital in keeping their second tier chances alive.
If they do stay up, much will be down to Gregory.
