Preview: Millwall V Southend United

THE BLUES

What an important win. The midfield was not firing on all cylinders again; poor Marky had a 4 out of 10 game not seen since the Goat at Brentford or Chesterfield, Nikki and Mac were continuing their tired performances from Orient. Upfront Lee was far from fully fit. A comedy goal gave a very limited Hartlepool an undeserved half time lead and midtable obscurity was staring us in the face. Then came five minutes that could save our season. Mac's equaliser was right out of his top draw, he really can strike the ball. While the winner, well I've been waiting 40 seasons for a smart Southend free kick and there it was, a goal that T&B could have only dreamed about seeing on a Saturday after spending many hours on it on the training pitch.

Clarkey picked up a fifth yellow, but what a rolling dive by the Pool keeper, and will miss the game v Bournemouth, could be worse. Mulgrew in the centre with Hunt at left back?

So the targets down to 10 points more from the spring-like month of Feb. and with two games against teams in the bottom four, though it's never easy going to South London, a real chance to move on. Getting above the Borient would be nice. The team is shaping up well for a real assault on the play offs, so let's be positive, and the 800 or so at the New Den on Tuesday night get behind the boys and give them the support they deserve. Another big game, another rubbish ref (I'm sure), 2-0; 'COME ON YOU BLUES!!!'

THE OPPOSITION

"No one loves us and we don't care". Well I don't know, never exactly cuddly of course, but I think we are all getting quite fond of the boys from New Cross by now. Even their 'charge' at Roots Hall was a Disney version of what they used to do.

A lot of anger may be directed at the Lions current position in the bottom four on 30 points which would be a lot worse if Bournemouth and Luton had not had 10 points deducted. A horrible run of no league win in 8, 7 of those defeats, since beating Crewe at the New Den on Dec. 29, ex-Swansea boss Kenny Jackett is feeling the heat. He feels his boys must improve defensively after Millwall were beaten 2-0 by Nottingham Forest. Goals from Julian Bennett and Luke Chambers in the space of 10 second half minutes, both from set pieces which I'm sure has been picked up by Tilly, condemned the Lions to another defeat and a place in the relegation zone.

'It was very annoying to concede at the start of the second half after we'd frustrated the crowd and kept a clean sheet in the first half,' Jackett told the club's official site. 'I'd have liked for us to have been more of a threat in the last half-hour, when we couldn't really make any headway against their centre-halves. 'Marc Laird had a good game, so that was a plus point for us.'

Garry Alexander, who scored a hat-trick against Brighton on Boxing Day, can be a danger, while there's always Harris, who can just be a pain! The team that finished v Forest.

Evans, Bignot, Robinson, Whitbread, Frampton, Simpson, Fuseini, Laird, Brkovic (Martin 58), Alexander, Harris (Grabban 67).
Subs Not Used: Pidgeley, Senda, Forbes. Booked: Whitbread, Frampton, Bignot.

THE MATCHES

76 matches played: WON 24 DRAWN 20 LOST 32 .

It all started against Millwall 'Athletic', as they were then, on Sat. Feb. 20 1921 with a 2-4 defeat in front of 20,000! Fairclough for us with a double.

The away win most Shrimpers remember was the first ever game at the New Den, where we slightly embarrassed our hosts live on ITV with a 4-1 win. August 22 1992 the date, the legends Lee, Otto, Mooney and Ansah the scorers. In fact our last win away, which I missed out on as I was at the Oval watching bloody cricket!

Since then a run of 2 defeats and a draw away from Roots Hall, Boere our last scorer in a 1-3 defeat on Sep. 13 1997. A better run of 2 wins and a draw at home over the same period where we will remember the 1-0 win back on Aug. 25 2007 when Bailey looped in a great second half header to gain all three points.

THE GROUND

The ground is a dramatic improvement from the dank and foreboding 'Old' Den and is quite smart looking. The new Den is made up of four fair sized two tiered stands that are of the same height. The corners of the ground are open, apart from one corner where there is a large video screen. The stadium was used to film the now legendary Sky One show, Dream Team.

Away fans are located at one end of the ground in the North Stand (usually in the upper tier only). Around 4,000 away fans can be accommodated in this end. Like the general improvement in football, a trip to Millwall is not as threatening as it once was. However, it is hardly a relaxing day out and I found the Den to be quite intimidating. The large police presence at the match I attended did nothing to dampen this feeling. I would advise that you exercise caution around the ground and not to wear club colours. The most popular method of travel for away fans to the Den, is by official club coach. The Police are well drilled in dealing with the coaches and once inside the ground you will generally find the stewards helpful & friendly.

THE CAR

There are number of ways of getting to the ground, but the most straightforward, if not the shortest in distance is to follow the A2 into London from Junction 2 of the M25. The A2 actually passes the ground. Once you go past New Cross Gate tube station on your right the ground is about a mile further on. The only awkward bit is about half way in-between New Cross Gate and the ground where the road splits into two. Keep to the right following the signs A2 City/Westminster. You will come to the ground on your right. Street parking can be found on the small estate on your left just past the ground. There are no sizeable car parks around the ground (typical British Planning!).

THE TRAIN

The East London tube line will be closed to the year 3000 so buy those £15.50 travelcards and give yourself at least 100 to 120 minutes to get to the ground.

You can get to South Bermondsey Railway Station (Zone 2), which is only a few minutes walk from the ground, from London Victoria but it's only a stop and four minutes from London Bridge so you should aim for that. Southend Victoria users should change at Liverpool Street and walk the short journey to Moorgate where it's two stops on the Northern Line (City Branch) south to London Bridge. (Or if you're particularly lazy catch the Liverpool Street Central Line to Bank and change to the Northern Line and one stop to London Bridge.) Easier is the Fenchurch Street line where it's the 10-minute walk to the Bank and straight on the Northern line for one stop to London Bridge or even walk across the bridge itself to the station, go on, it's going to be a lovely afternoon in the smoke, 15 and the sun has got its hat on.

Once at South Bermondsey there is a direct walkway specifically built for away fans which takes you directly to the away end and back to the station afterwards. This has made the Police's job of keeping rival supporters apart so much more manageable. If your team brings a sizeable following, then an 'away fan' football special may be laid on from London Bridge. In these instances the police are well drilled in getting away fans into the ground from the special train and safely away afterwards. Although don't be surprised if you are held in the stadium for sometime after the final whistle, before being allowed back up the walkway to the station.

That may mean the 22.31 is the best train to catch from South Bermondsey, there is a 22.07, where you should be home soon after midnight. (22.41, 45, 23.11, 15, 41, 45, 59 Liverpool St., 22.20, 45, 49, 23.15, 19, 33, 49 Fenchurch St.)

THE PUB

Best to grab a pie and a pint by London Bridge rail station where I would recommend the Fullers pub Barrow Boy & Banker. Formerly a Nat West bank you can find it at 6-8 Borough High Street, across the bridge, opposite the station.

THE HISTORY

Millwall 'Rovers' were founded by the workers of J.T. Morton in Millwall in the East End of London on the Isle of Dogs in 1885. We came across them when they were now Millwall 'Athletic' where they became founder members of the Southern League which they won for the first two years of its existence. The 'Athletic' was dropped after the Second World War to become the plain Millwall we know and love today.

Recently Dennis Wise took them to a cup final in 2004, losing to Man. U. 0-3, which brought back memories of better days, including a few days at the top of the old First Division back in September 1989. Since then managers have come and gone, Steve Claridge being famously sacked after 36 days in 2005, as well as owners, chairman and various board members. The supporters remain passionate and I wouldn't shout, "your not famous anymore" until I was safely in the away end!

(Thanks to all of the usual suspects for their help with this article.)