Make no mistake, they will stay up. That's why I hate all this premature gloating - only comes back to bite you in the arse.
That's really far from certain.
They've still got to play Watford, Derby and Wolves. Throw in 2 far from easy trips to Cardiff and Blackburn and a game against Wigan that Wigan themselves can't afford to lose and it's a far from easy run-in.
We may still be celebrating.
Too true, they are going down, scum of the earth going to hell.
Same old same old. Yeah a shite homer ref but can't blame him. Despite being the better footballing team just didn't get going as usual in this fixture. Watt sub was way too early and made a big difference imo. Ah well just have to live with the facts that they always get a result against us despite being crap and having the worst fans outside the top teams. The glory hunters of the lower leagues.
Like Seth before the game I predicted we would get a player sent off and they would score in injury time. I was almost right. They get lucky against us for some reason. Went into Harry's bar before the game. The guy in the bar next to me walked off with a tray of drinks without paying! I think he got away with it. Solly was an idiot putting his face into the millwall player - Gregory? Looked like a penalty to me from amongst the scum. Their fans really are a rough lot! We started poorly, didn't win many tackles or get the second balls or start to battle until the sending off, although our forwards broke free a couple of times and might have done better. A big surprise when we did score. Wonderful to see our crowd celebrate. Millwall were truly dire but their first goal was well hit. They will lose against Watford. I'm pretty sure they will go down. As for us, the same old...
24 shots by millwall 7 by us. Before solly went it was already 8 shots to 1. Sending off was right .Please explain how the ref was responsible for the defeat.They were all over us before the sending off and it just continued. Made my first visit to the den in 1968/9 and can only recall one victory.Dont think I have ever seen us beat them at the valley.Today was my last visit to "hades/the den". Seldom have I seen a winning goal celebrated my a home crowd with such joy/relief /hatred it will live with me for avery long time.
The ref was at fault for not sending the scorer of their winner off & not picking up on numerous fouls/tackles. But you are right he is not to blame for the defeat. Just didn't help matters
We were poor throughout. We perked up after the sending off, but otherwise were under the cosh. Our goal came completely against the run of play and a Millwall goal felt inevitable. I'm not sure they completely deserved to win, but they did more to earn it than we did.
Watt's brightest moment came in the first minute when he scampered away from his marker down the left; beyond that he did very little. He so rarely passes the ball, which isn't a problem when he manages to get past the defenders and create something. Today, though, he lost the ball far more often than he kept it. Igor struggled too against the agricultural Hooiveldt and Nelson ('Sid Nelson' is surely the most Millwall name ever), meaning that up front we packed very little punch. Eagles snuck round the back from a ball over the top but, on the stretch, was beaten by the angle as the ball went into the side netting. At the very end of the half Diarra had a chance from a corner that he might have done better with, though I may be being harsh as it was at the far end.
By then we were down to 10 men. Solly had already been booked after what looked like a headbutt, but received a straight red as he blocked a goalbound effort with his hands. My impression was that it was the right decision, though I'll wait to see the highlights. Henderson, however, saved what was frankly a rubbish penalty, and the celebrations in the away end were as manic as they were when we scored. Eagles was taken off for Bikey and Gomez moved to right back. Between then and half time was our best period, though we still lacked any real threat. Cousins and Diarra were struggling to impose themselves in midfield and Gudmundsson was quiet.
The second half began with Millwall again on the front foot. Just as I was resigning myself to falling behind, though, we edged in front. Fox nurdled his way down the left and played a low ball in for Diarra to flick into the far corner. Daylight robbery was on the cards, something the people of South Bermondsey are certainly familiar with. Alas, it was too good to last.
A long-range effort was blocked, but the ricochet fell to Gueye on the left-hand side of the penalty area. He drilled unerringly into the far corner and The Den roared its approval. Watt and Vetokele made way for Church and Bulot, but neither could really make an impression on the game. A Church header was our only opportunity to regain the lead, and I can't tell if the cross was just too high or if he timed his jump poorly as the ball dropped agonisingly wide. Eventually, the Millwall pressure told. A cross-shot from inside the area found Hooiveld, and he prodded home. Even a generous 6 minutes of added time wasn't enough for us to fashion another serious chance, and that was that.
Man of the Match was undoubtedly Henderson, not just for the penalty save, but for a succession of confident catches under pressure. No-one else can say they had a good game, and perhaps today was a combination of the levelling factor of derby day and a side in more need of points than us. My overriding emotion will depend on whether Millwall use this as a springboard to go on a run and survive; if, as I hope and expect, they do go down, I won't be too frustrated. If they do stay up...
Having been there today I am absolutely convinced that millwall really hate us.[I know they hate everyone cos they are scum etc etc] but they sometimes pretend they dont care about us today proved that is a lie.
Really thought we were going to turn them over this time, my cup was half full prior to 3pm. Now my bottle of Smirnoff is half empty. It's never going to happen is it?
Just looked at their fixtures. We won't have to put up with them next year.
Yes. Let them enjoy their little victory. He who laughs last...
Agree, all we have done by losing is given them a faint hope, a small belief that they can stay up. It will make their lives even harder having this tiny bit of belief but still failing to remain in this division. I look forward to their pain, they are doomed, I say doomed.
1. Ref sending Solly off was inevitable. Looked obvious to me, if replays show different fair enough but in real time it looked a clear decision.
2. Ref should however have sent their number 5 off. Booked once then took out Igor AND went through the back of Cousins, both of which were clear second yellows. He then typically scores, so the ref must take a large slice of the blame.
3. Hendo, class. The rest did not really turn up. We started poorly and probably would have lost with 11 players. So disappointing.
4. Subs were awful, as soon as Watt was subbed I said so. He hasn't played in 2 weeks, hardly going to be knackered, sod saving him for a pointless game v Fulham. It was all about Millwall for the fans, the boss doesn't seem to understand this.
5. Tactics poor.
6. Ultimately, who cares, Millwall are rubbish and will be in League One next year. The property developers are closing in on their ground, they are losing millions a year. They will probably be bust within 5 years so we almost certainly never will play them again.
We all knew what was coming as soon as the equaliser went in. Did anyone else see Yoni Buyens in our end? Hardly the actions of a player who feels no affinity for the club and definitely leaving in the summer, maybe he's staying. I think we missed him today.
Hope we get some decent video of the Solly cards. Listening to Pete and Tel they were incensed that it was a case of a simple confrontation between two players in each other's faces yet only Solly got booked. But @EpsomAddick in his excellent report above thinks he saw a headbutt from Solly. Very unSolly like, if so.
On the other hand we have Charlton people including Luzon himself saying the ball hit him in the face and he has the cut to prove it. But Pete came back on after half time and rather sheepishly told us that the Charlton "analyst" (whoever he is ) said it was a stonewall penalty. Presumably this analyst had access to video with unlimited playback.
Of course it's important. Yes teams get a result with 10 men but this happened after only 20 minutes and it was Chris Solly. You can't say we'd have lost anyway. We did of course, but it's important that refereeing decisions are scrutinised, just like every other professional person's performance is.
I was towards the front of the away end on the right-hand side (row B ) so I had a reasonably good view. Though if no-one else has seen it then the headbutt was probably a figment of my imagination.
We were poor throughout. We perked up after the sending off, but otherwise were under the cosh. Our goal came completely against the run of play and a Millwall goal felt inevitable. I'm not sure they completely deserved to win, but they did more to earn it than we did.
Watt's brightest moment came in the first minute when he scampered away from his marker down the left; beyond that he did very little. He so rarely passes the ball, which isn't a problem when he manages to get past the defenders and create something. Today, though, he lost the ball far more often than he kept it. Igor struggled too against the agricultural Hooiveldt and Nelson ('Sid Nelson' is surely the most Millwall name ever), meaning that up front we packed very little punch. Eagles snuck round the back from a ball over the top but, on the stretch, was beaten by the angle as the ball went into the side netting. At the very end of the half Diarra had a chance from a corner that he might have done better with, though I may be being harsh as it was at the far end.
By then we were down to 10 men. Solly had already been booked after what looked like a headbutt, but received a straight red as he blocked a goalbound effort with his hands. My impression was that it was the right decision, though I'll wait to see the highlights. Henderson, however, saved what was frankly a rubbish penalty, and the celebrations in the away end were as manic as they were when we scored. Eagles was taken off for Bikey and Gomez moved to right back. Between then and half time was our best period, though we still lacked any real threat. Cousins and Diarra were struggling to impose themselves in midfield and Gudmundsson was quiet.
The second half began with Millwall again on the front foot. Just as I was resigning myself to falling behind, though, we edged in front. Fox nurdled his way down the left and played a low ball in for Diarra to flick into the far corner. Daylight robbery was on the cards, something the people of South Bermondsey are certainly familiar with. Alas, it was too good to last.
A long-range effort was blocked, but the ricochet fell to Gueye on the left-hand side of the penalty area. He drilled unerringly into the far corner and The Den roared its approval. Watt and Vetokele made way for Church and Bulot, but neither could really make an impression on the game. Eventually, the Millwall pressure told. A cross-shot from inside the area found Hooiveld, and he prodded home. A Church header was our only opportunity to equalise, and I can't tell if the cross was just too high or if he timed his jump poorly as the ball dropped agonisingly wide. Even a generous 6 minutes of added time wasn't enough for us to fashion another serious chance, and that was that.
Man of the Match was undoubtedly Henderson, not just for the penalty save, but for a succession of confident catches under pressure. No-one else can say they had a good game, and perhaps today was a combination of the levelling factor of derby day and a side in more need of points than us. My overriding emotion will depend on whether Millwall use this as a springboard to go on a run and survive; if, as I hope and expect, they do go down, I won't be too frustrated. If they do stay up...
Good post, EA & pretty much as I saw it today.
Although it pains me to admit it, I felt the better team on the day won the 3 points.
From the off, they were passing the ball confidently, to feet, using their wide players & stifling our play whenever we managed to gain possession. OK - they were the home team & needed the points more than we did but they looked a strong unit and but for some woeful shooting ( and some deft handling/superb saves from Henders) could have scored a couple before Solly was dismissed.
Of course, with 10 men it was always going to be difficult but I thought Guy's substitution was the best choice he had ( Eagles had done very little thus far IMO) and at times I forgot we had a numerical disadvantage. Our goal came as a surprise but a very welcome one....could the Pikey curse have gasped its last ? Had the halftime bananas followed by the lucky humbugs played their part in a long awaited victory in our neighbours' increasingly scruffy backyard ?
Do me a favour, guv !
Before long, the Spanners' persistent pressing forward got its reward & the smiles were swiftly wiped from our boats ......their second was merely a formality. Sod's law that the arrival of Nicholas Bailey on the pitch played a significant part in the first goal. It's ALWAYS a mistake to boo a former player ( Let's remember this on Tues evening, please)
My feeling tonight is one of frustration more than anger ....that with Mr Holloway still in charge, the result may have been a different one. It seemed to me that the Blues were playing as much for Neil Harris as for their survival in the Championship and although others may disagree, looked better than a team in the bottom 3. It will be interesting to see how their last 6 performances pan out but today, we didn't do enough to put our own nail in their toolbox shaped coffin.
My MOM has to be our 'keeper. He didn't deserve to be on the losing side & today's performance will undoubtedly win him a heap of votes in this season's POTY poll. Whatever the outcome of our final matches this term, one thing is sure.
Don't like that sentiment one little bit. Yes he was inept and yes he appeared one eyed but ffs he isn't The Yorkshire ripper or Dr Shipman, no he's just a hopeless official refing a game where the away team were cack! Reckon you would feel awful if you found out that he was involved in a major accident that left him seriously disabled!
From my vantage point I thought we were unlucky not to come away with at least a point, after we had taken the lead. Solly did, certainly, what I would of wanted him to do when his first tackle was a crunching one which 'fairly' upended the Millwall player as his momentum took him through, he then didn't shy away and pushed his head in to another Millwall player on another occasion for which I felt he was unfairly booked. If _ as there seems to be some doubt _ he did handle then that was his only mistake as Hendo was behind him. Given the refs treatment of Solly then I guess we do have some reasons to feel he was inconsistent with some decisions in our favour, especially when Igor fell and their 5 had not long been booked.
Harriott was dreadful first half and much improved second. Watt and Igor worked their socks off, especially Igor playing in front of Fox in midfield. Other than the goal, didn't think Diarra earned his spurs today. ROJO and Fox did ok, Gomez showed real class today.. Attacking wise, thought our midfield was a bit lightweight. Henderson was my MOM. Oh and those saying Church fluffed a simple chance near the end, maybe if he he was a foot taller, I felt the cross was slightly overhit.
There's been a lot of criticism on here, I guess because we're pissed that we lost, but I certainly felt most of the players tried their hardest. Ultimately, playing 60 mins 1 man down was always going to become a tougher ask as the clock wound down.
I won't miss coming here if they do go down. Onwards and upwards. Let's forget this match and end the season on a high and build for next season.
Comments
We wont be playing them next year.
Went into Harry's bar before the game. The guy in the bar next to me walked off with a tray of drinks without paying! I think he got away with it.
Solly was an idiot putting his face into the millwall player - Gregory?
Looked like a penalty to me from amongst the scum. Their fans really are a rough lot!
We started poorly, didn't win many tackles or get the second balls or start to battle until the sending off, although our forwards broke free a couple of times and might have done better.
A big surprise when we did score. Wonderful to see our crowd celebrate.
Millwall were truly dire but their first goal was well hit.
They will lose against Watford.
I'm pretty sure they will go down.
As for us, the same old...
Before solly went it was already 8 shots to 1.
Sending off was right .Please explain how the ref was responsible for the defeat.They were all over us before the sending off and it just continued.
Made my first visit to the den in 1968/9 and can only recall one victory.Dont think I have ever seen us beat them at the valley.Today was my last visit to "hades/the den".
Seldom have I seen a winning goal celebrated my a home crowd with such joy/relief /hatred it will live with me for avery long time.
We were poor throughout. We perked up after the sending off, but otherwise were under the cosh. Our goal came completely against the run of play and a Millwall goal felt inevitable. I'm not sure they completely deserved to win, but they did more to earn it than we did.
Watt's brightest moment came in the first minute when he scampered away from his marker down the left; beyond that he did very little. He so rarely passes the ball, which isn't a problem when he manages to get past the defenders and create something. Today, though, he lost the ball far more often than he kept it. Igor struggled too against the agricultural Hooiveldt and Nelson ('Sid Nelson' is surely the most Millwall name ever), meaning that up front we packed very little punch. Eagles snuck round the back from a ball over the top but, on the stretch, was beaten by the angle as the ball went into the side netting. At the very end of the half Diarra had a chance from a corner that he might have done better with, though I may be being harsh as it was at the far end.
By then we were down to 10 men. Solly had already been booked after what looked like a headbutt, but received a straight red as he blocked a goalbound effort with his hands. My impression was that it was the right decision, though I'll wait to see the highlights. Henderson, however, saved what was frankly a rubbish penalty, and the celebrations in the away end were as manic as they were when we scored. Eagles was taken off for Bikey and Gomez moved to right back. Between then and half time was our best period, though we still lacked any real threat. Cousins and Diarra were struggling to impose themselves in midfield and Gudmundsson was quiet.
The second half began with Millwall again on the front foot. Just as I was resigning myself to falling behind, though, we edged in front. Fox nurdled his way down the left and played a low ball in for Diarra to flick into the far corner. Daylight robbery was on the cards, something the people of South Bermondsey are certainly familiar with. Alas, it was too good to last.
A long-range effort was blocked, but the ricochet fell to Gueye on the left-hand side of the penalty area. He drilled unerringly into the far corner and The Den roared its approval. Watt and Vetokele made way for Church and Bulot, but neither could really make an impression on the game. A Church header was our only opportunity to regain the lead, and I can't tell if the cross was just too high or if he timed his jump poorly as the ball dropped agonisingly wide. Eventually, the Millwall pressure told. A cross-shot from inside the area found Hooiveld, and he prodded home. Even a generous 6 minutes of added time wasn't enough for us to fashion another serious chance, and that was that.
Man of the Match was undoubtedly Henderson, not just for the penalty save, but for a succession of confident catches under pressure. No-one else can say they had a good game, and perhaps today was a combination of the levelling factor of derby day and a side in more need of points than us. My overriding emotion will depend on whether Millwall use this as a springboard to go on a run and survive; if, as I hope and expect, they do go down, I won't be too frustrated. If they do stay up...
2. Ref should however have sent their number 5 off. Booked once then took out Igor AND went through the back of Cousins, both of which were clear second yellows. He then typically scores, so the ref must take a large slice of the blame.
3. Hendo, class. The rest did not really turn up. We started poorly and probably would have lost with 11 players. So disappointing.
4. Subs were awful, as soon as Watt was subbed I said so. He hasn't played in 2 weeks, hardly going to be knackered, sod saving him for a pointless game v Fulham. It was all about Millwall for the fans, the boss doesn't seem to understand this.
5. Tactics poor.
6. Ultimately, who cares, Millwall are rubbish and will be in League One next year. The property developers are closing in on their ground, they are losing millions a year. They will probably be bust within 5 years so we almost certainly never will play them again.
On the other hand we have Charlton people including Luzon himself saying the ball hit him in the face and he has the cut to prove it. But Pete came back on after half time and rather sheepishly told us that the Charlton "analyst" (whoever he is ) said it was a stonewall penalty. Presumably this analyst had access to video with unlimited playback.
Of course it's important. Yes teams get a result with 10 men but this happened after only 20 minutes and it was Chris Solly. You can't say we'd have lost anyway. We did of course, but it's important that refereeing decisions are scrutinised, just like every other professional person's performance is.
I will make sure I have a beer or a bottle of bubbly when they are relegated though!
Although it pains me to admit it, I felt the better team on the day won the 3 points.
From the off, they were passing the ball confidently, to feet, using their wide players & stifling our play whenever we managed to gain possession. OK - they were the home team & needed the points more than we did but they looked a strong unit and but for some woeful shooting ( and some deft handling/superb saves from Henders) could have scored a couple before Solly was dismissed.
Of course, with 10 men it was always going to be difficult but I thought Guy's substitution was the best choice he had ( Eagles had done very little thus far IMO) and at times I forgot we had a numerical disadvantage. Our goal came as a surprise but a very welcome one....could the Pikey curse have gasped its last ? Had the halftime bananas followed by the lucky humbugs played their part in a long awaited victory in our neighbours' increasingly scruffy backyard ?
Do me a favour, guv !
Before long, the Spanners' persistent pressing forward got its reward & the smiles were swiftly wiped from our boats ......their second was merely a formality. Sod's law that the arrival of Nicholas Bailey on the pitch played a significant part in the first goal. It's ALWAYS a mistake to boo a former player ( Let's remember this on Tues evening, please)
My feeling tonight is one of frustration more than anger ....that with Mr Holloway still in charge, the result may have been a different one. It seemed to me that the Blues were playing as much for Neil Harris as for their survival in the Championship and although others may disagree, looked better than a team in the bottom 3. It will be interesting to see how their last 6 performances pan out but today, we didn't do enough to put our own nail in their toolbox shaped coffin.
My MOM has to be our 'keeper. He didn't deserve to be on the losing side & today's performance will undoubtedly win him a heap of votes in this season's POTY poll. Whatever the outcome of our final matches this term, one thing is sure.
Henders won't let us down.
COYA !!!!!
Be disapointed but don't be bitter!
From my vantage point I thought we were unlucky not to come away with at least a point, after we had taken the lead. Solly did, certainly, what I would of wanted him to do when his first tackle was a crunching one which 'fairly' upended the Millwall player as his momentum took him through, he then didn't shy away and pushed his head in to another Millwall player on another occasion for which I felt he was unfairly booked. If _ as there seems to be some doubt _ he did handle then that was his only mistake as Hendo was behind him. Given the refs treatment of Solly then I guess we do have some reasons to feel he was inconsistent with some decisions in our favour, especially when Igor fell and their 5 had not long been booked.
Harriott was dreadful first half and much improved second. Watt and Igor worked their socks off, especially Igor playing in front of Fox in midfield. Other than the goal, didn't think Diarra earned his spurs today. ROJO and Fox did ok, Gomez showed real class today.. Attacking wise, thought our midfield was a bit lightweight. Henderson was my MOM. Oh and those saying Church fluffed a simple chance near the end, maybe if he he was a foot taller, I felt the cross was slightly overhit.
There's been a lot of criticism on here, I guess because we're pissed that we lost, but I certainly felt most of the players tried their hardest. Ultimately, playing 60 mins 1 man down was always going to become a tougher ask as the clock wound down.
I won't miss coming here if they do go down. Onwards and upwards. Let's forget this match and end the season on a high and build for next season.