Millwall v West Brom: Inside track on the Lions
West Brom take on Millwall this weekend looking to register another win, following their 2-0 win over Luton - get to know Albion's latest opponent here.
We spoke with John Kelly, sports editor at the Southwark News and News At Den, to get his take on Gary Rowett's side.
See what he had to say here...
How would you describe Millwall's season so far? It seems to have been some ride.
It started off really positively, with two wins and a draw in the first three league games, but after a 4-0 defeat at Fulham it quickly went downhill and only looked like it would be another relegation battle under Neil Harris.
Harris knew he had taken it as far as he could and stepped aside, giving someone else the chance to work with a squad with really good character.
It has so far proved to be the right decision.
What would you say the current expectations are at The Den?
They’ve certainly gone up recently with the rise up the table, and Millwall have hinted they could stay in the race for the play-offs late into the season.
I don’t think they’ll quite have enough, though would love to be wrong.
Millwall fans would be very pleased with a top-10 finish.
We've seen Gary Rowett come in at Millwall, how has he taken to the job?
Very well. He’s admitted the spirit in the squad has surprised him.
Millwall hadn’t won away in the league this season before he arrived, but after a defeat at Reading in his first game on the road they had three victories and three draws in their next six before losing at Leeds recently.
He switched to 5-2-3 away from home, feeling the team needed something new psychologically to shift any negativity on their travels.
They briefly visited the play-off places, but perhaps have run out of a little bit of energy recently after a busy schedule with a relatively small squad.
Who are the big threats to worry about in this Millwall side for Albion?
Jed Wallace, who has 10 goals and nine assists this season. He’ll run directly at the Albion defence.
If Matt Smith starts up front then he can be a real handful aerially and a threat from set-pieces.
Mason Bennett joined on loan from Derby last week. He’s unlikely to start but has been speaking this week about a fresh start and needing to prove himself. If he comes on, he will add pace from the left of the attack that Millwall have been missing.
There’s also Connor Mahoney, who has shown his talent in glimpses, but not enough. Again, likely to be on the bench, but can make a difference if the game opens up later on.
Are there any injury worries going into this game?
No recent ones.
Ben Thompson is still out. Bennett hasn’t played since November but should have a full week on the training pitch.
Ryan Leonard is also returning after four months out and could be another midfield option.
What's your predicted XI for the encounter?
4-4-2: Bialkowski; Romeo, Hutchinson, Cooper, M Wallace; J Wallace, Molumby, Williams, Ferguson; Smith, Bradshaw.
But Rowett could also go with five at the back to counter West Brom’s obvious attacking threat. If he does then Alex Pearce will start in the centre of defence, with one of the two strikers on the bench.
What have you made of Albion from afar? Do you think they have what it takes to secure promotion this season?
Up until the end of last year I would have said they were certainties to get promoted. But the wobble since then gives Millwall hope on Sunday.
I was at the games at the Hawthorns in August when Millwall came from behind in both. West Brom looked so slick when they got into their groove, but the Lions showed they can also be ruffled.
I still think the Baggies should get top two, though I may be revising that after this weekend...
Your match prediction?
Millwall, and The Den, will be well up for this and having a good cut at the league leaders.
The Lions have beaten four of the top six this season (albeit their victory over West Brom was in the EFL Cup).
I’m going to go for them to edge it in what I expect to be a really good game. 2-1 to Millwall.
