Blues v Millwall - Preview

As Blues' fortunes appeared to be changing, after two very solid wins at home against Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea, they suffered a slightly disappointing away loss to Reading. Despite the fact that we were expected to lose against newly-relegated Reading, it did slightly halt the optimism that had started to grow around St. Andrews. Tomorrow's game at home to Millwall could recapture the upbeat spirit around the place, but it won't be easy.

Millwall had a poor start to the season and were bottom of the league until 3 back-to-back wins moved them up to 16th, 3 places above Blues. Millwall, not unlike Blues, have not been free-scoring and have struggled to grab goals, finding the net only 11 times in their 9 games in the league. Blues however have only scored 8 in their 9 games, but have scored another 9 in their 3 cup games. Millwall have been quite leaky defensively until recently, conceding 5 at home to Derby, so hopefully Blues can take advantage of their not-so water-tight defence.

So who are Millwall's dangermen? Top goalscorer Martyn Woolford has bagged three goals in all competitions for the Lions from out wide, which sounds impressive until you realise that Jesse Lingard got more than that in one game! Ex-Wolves forward Andy Keogh has so far scored just two goals this season, but the Irish international will be keen to add to that tally. Keogh is a hard working striker who can grab a goal or two and will keep the Blues defenders on the move. One thing we have in common is our skipper - both teams are captained by a Paul Robinson, playing at centre-back. Robinson and Shittu make up Millwall's defence which could be said to lack pace, which is a reoccurring theme with many Championship sides, including Blues'. This suggests that the pace of Green and Lingard could again be key in attack, so hopefully they are both match fit despite playing on Saturday.

Hopefully, Clark will continue to play the 3-4-3 system that has so far been successful in the games it has been used, but after Saturday's loss to Reading there is always the worry that Clark may chop and change the side and subsequently the formation. Making some personnel changes may be a good idea to freshen things up, especially after playing 3 games in 7 days, this being the 4th in 11 days. I would like to see Mitch Hancox given another chance at left wing-back, as well as maybe some other younger players such as Koby Arthur on the right wing. There is also the option of playing Nikola Zigic, which would make us a very different proposition, as well as giving Matt Green a well-deserved rest, but Zigic is unlikely to be entirely fit. However we line-up, tomorrow's game will be a test of the team against an in-form Millwall side and promises to be an interesting match.