[LU] Millwall - very long

[DAVID NATTAN]

Well, at this stage of the season the result is ALL that counts and we got it !
  To be fair it was not a bad performance - we basically soaked up a lot of pressure , rode our luck ,( they hit the bar and missed a few good chances) and then hit them on the break with two killer goals. A good away smash and grab raid.
  We brought Sheehan back at left back in place of Kenton - a bit harsh on Kenton but it was so much better getting back to having a proper left back even though he did struggle at times. Kenton did not even get his right back berth since Frazer kept his place - again just about the right decision, Frazer was his typical inconsistent self with some good stuff mixed in with his usual slack defending.
  Prutton came in for Douglas and apart from his goal did not really live up to his new god-like cult status though as always he did get stuck in and gave it his all.
  Up front Becks was still not fit and Kandol paid the price for his disappointing outing at Huddersfield and so Elding was brought in. I was reasonably impressed with him - he suffered (along with Freedman) from a lack of service but what he did he did quiet well his best being a nice turn and shot that went just wide on the stroke of half time. He seemed like a reasonably intelligent player with an awareness of those around him and is worth persevering with if Becks is out any longer.
  Our midfield struggled a bit - Johnson looked sluggish at time although he did have a hand in both goals, Howson fell a long way short of the brilliant performances of late and flitted in and out of the game, Kilkenny was a big disappointment, hopefully only due to the injury he is carrying , and came in for some stick from a couple of lads sat behind us (you know the sort of constructive criticism I mean - "Kilkenny you're shit" and "get him off McAllister he's crap" etc.
  At the back Lubo made some decent challenges and interceptions and Huntington continues to show he is going to be a good player.
  As for the goals - the first was from a cross from Johnson that a defender cleared under pressure from Elding and the ball went right to Prutts a good few yards outside the area - he hit it first time and though it did not seem to be a good strike as such the placement was inch perfect and it nestled nicely in the bottom corner.
  Then for the first time I can remember this season we made a defensive tactical sub - taking off Elding and bringing on Hughes to add to the midfield.
  At half time Hughes had been on the pitch at our end - doing Leeds salute and generally revving us up - to chants of Hughes give us a goal he hammered it into the roof of the net 3 times - then to Hughes give us a dance went off on some robotic frenzy. Little did we know how prophetic that was to be ! With 5 in midfield we effectively took a stranglehold on the game and a delightful passing move with Freedman and Hughes led to the ball being played out to Johnson who put in a lovely cross into the 6 yds box where Hughes had continued his run unmarked and slotted it in - cue pandemonium in the stands and Hughes deliriously doing his robot dance - brilliant stuff.
  Kandol and Sweeney came on right at the end to see time out but were on long enough for Kandol receive the ball in a great position but offside and Sweeney to get involved in a free for all which ending with a booking for him. Sheehan also went close with a free kick.
  Game over - 3 more points in the bag and other results going largely our way - Brighton excepted.
  So that is it for the football but no trip to Millwall is complete without at least a mention of off field activities.
  Going to Euston rather than Kings Cross meant that me and mate avoided the Met finest and were free to roam round the place. We decided to go drinking round Borough Market area and went first to a pub where the Golden Hind replica is docked. We got served OK then a group of 7 lads came in - barman asked them if they were going to behave (surprise surprise they said they would) and he then served them but told them he had been asked by police not to serve football fans. We wandered around the area - in Market Porter, Southwark Tavern with no problems and ended up in Millwall pub the Old Kings Head (knowing a lot of Leeds next door in the George) I ended up as unofficial door opener as we listened to a group of Millwall old lads - almost Right Said Fred lookalikes - tell each other their football war stories but no-one paid us any attention. We were debating whether to have another in there or join Leeds in George for escort when the Doctor and his mates came in -one 
 clocked us right away and whispered "is this Leeds pub" Only us 2 I replied - then Doctor decided to tell us at top of his voice about this bird he had seen - "I told her she had a nice arse but she turned round and I saw she had a Millwall top on,so I told her she was a slag!! " We decided at that time that the George was a better bet !! We did see the Doctor and his mates later and they were OK - I don't know how he gets away with it !.
  In the George there were loads of Leeds fans singing away with an escort of two bobbies - when asked when they were escorting us to the station they said they weren't and we were free to go whenever we felt like it. Was a fairly short walk to station and we walked up the road singing with just the 2 man escort but got no hassle - unbelievable.
  At the station it all changed police wise and we were met by a phalanx of cops - Sky Sports News this morning did an piece on it all and said there were over 400 on duty.
  During the game there was the usual good natured banter and threats and Turkey songs etc - the best bit was after we scored when Millwall fans to our right rushed through the netting - it was hilarious since even after that they would have had to be able to fly to get to us or abseil down one stand, climb across the TV scoreboard and climb up to second tier to get near us. In the event the police suddenly ran up the stairs and the Millwall tide ebbed back as quick as it had flowed forward - laughable really.
  We were kept in and put on tube to London Bridge and then marched en masse through the station to the underground platform. The whole shopping area had been cleared of members of the public who stood behind barriers taking pictures and looking on in amazement - obviously being treated like animals brought the obvious response - so chants of Leeds Leeds Leeds echoed round the place. We were herded (literally) onto a tube back to Kings X - irrespective of where you wanted to go - and the train went straight there without stopping. We were all made to get off at Kings X but we were able with only a bit of nous to mingle with public there and on to Euston.
  In bar at Euston the balcony was shut and it was plastic glasses time - the signs said this happened on all football days - generally from around 4pm on Saturdays.
  At the off licence I was asked (insulted !!) if I was going to Liverpool since the Liverpool train was a dry one and I would not be allowed to take beer on ! Got my beer and sat on train to hear our guard say that our travel shop would be alcohol free due to football supporters - even though there were no more than a handful on the whole train - none in a group of more than 2 and none with colours on - crazy world.
  Last bit worthy of note (for anyone still reading) the 2 lads sat behind us asked to buy a beer each of us - being generous and since they were Arsenal fans we let them have one for nowt and spent journey talking to them. It turned out one claimed to be Chris Carr and said he had played 100+ games for Stoke including one at ER and 300+ for Fulham. We said we had never heard of him so if there is anyone out there who is an expert on players and can point me in the direction of a picture of him it will be appreciated.
  So a very long report for a very long (6.15am to 11.45pm) and enjoyable day !!
  Thank You and good night
  Dave