History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

JACKETT WANTS FIGHT FROM MILLWALL

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has told his players they must fight tooth-and-nail if they are to escape relegation from League One. His team posted a disappointing 3-0 defeat to second-placed Doncaster Rovers at the New Den on Saturday.

Jackett, who took the reins in early November, conceded it was the worst Millwall have played under his management. His team are now only one point above the drop zone with a hectic league schedule coming up.

He said: “Doncaster deserved the points – we never got going. We lacked the energy that we have been playing with recently. It was one game too far.

“We were second to the ball and unconstructive in possession. We couldn’t get hold of the ball or gain any breathing space.

“There were not many Millwall players who put their name on a starting shirt, and our performance level has to be better than that.

“We have Notts Forest, Southend and Tranmere within in eight days – it’s a period in which we have to come out fighting.”

Labels: Doncaster Rovers, football, Kenny Jackett, League One, Millwall

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:03 am | Permalink | Comments

DONCASTER EXTEND AWAY RUN AT THE NEW DEN

Doncaster Rovers continued their superb away form thanks to goals from Jason Price, James Coppinger and Paul Green at the New Den. Price’s successful strike two minutes shy of the interval was just reward for Rovers’ total first half domination.

Coppinger’s lobbed shot from 35 yards with 13 minutes to go sealed the win. And Green’s sweet volley at the death completed the 3-0 rout, though the travelling side could have netted a hatful more.

After 11 minutes marauding left-back Gareth Roberts hit a 35 yard shot that Millwall ‘keeper Rhys Evans could only parry. Four minutes later Green rolled a pass to Price with his back to goal in the area. The forward swivelled before blazing his shot over the crossbar.

And still the pressure did not relent for the home team. On 19 minutes James Coppinger came even closer to scoring, but his shot could only find the post, much to Evans’ relief.

The former Chelsea trainee stopper was forced to limp off ten minutes before half time, however, after a collision with onrushing Rovers striker Mark McCammon. Preston Edwards came on to replace Evans, but his first job was to pick the ball from his net.

Price, who looked busy and sharp as the main focus of the Doncaster attack, scored from eight yards after Millwall failed to clear yet another away team corner.

Robert, careering in at the far post, had his shot terrifically block, but after the ball ping-ponged in the Millwall area, Price stroked home his fifth goal in the league past the helpless Edwards.

A minute later and forward Gary Alexander squandered Millwall’s only decent chance of the game. But, unmarked, he could only head wide from Lewis Grabban’s cross.

Coppinger, who impressed with his technical ability, ensured the win with his improvised effort in the 77th minute.

And Green iced the cake for Rovers, who are now unbeaten in 12 games on their travels, with seconds of the game remaining. Dreams of reaching the second tier for the first time in fifty years are starting to look a reality for Sean O’Driscoll’s team.

Labels: Doncaster Rovers, football, League One, Millwall

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:13 pm | Permalink | Comments

CLASSY DONCASTER TO PASS TO PROMOTION SUCCESS

Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O’Driscoll is convinced that, contrary to popular belief, the easiest way to gain promotion from League One is to play classy football.

His side thumped Millwall 3-0 at the New Den on Saturday, extending their unbeaten away run to 12.

Jason Price scored from close range two minutes before the interval while James Coppinger and Paul Green added superb second-half goals.

They remain in second behind Swansea and are dreaming of playing in the second tier for the first time in 50 years.

O’Driscoll said: “We have just got to keep our feet on the ground and not worry about the teams below us – we are aiming to catch Swansea.

“People said, ‘You can’t play football to get out of this division’.

“But arguably the best two footballing teams are us and Swansea and we are sitting on the top of the division.

“You have to be brave to play football in League One and if you do it well enough I think you can walk the division.”

Millwall are just one point from the relegation zone and manager Kenny Jackett admitted it was the worst he had seen his team play since he took charge in early November.

“Doncaster deserved the points,” he conceded. “We never got going.

“There were not many Millwall players who put their name on a starting shirt.”

Labels: Doncaster Rovers, football, League One, Millwall

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:10 pm | Permalink | Comments