BART BACKS BOLD LIONS
v7.45pm BARTOSZ BIALKOWSKI insists a red hot Elland Road reception will bring the best out of Millwall.
The keeper (right) is relishing his first game as an official Lions player after making his loan from Ipswich permanent yesterday.
“The atmosphere will be amazing,” said Bialkowski ahead of tonight’s clash. “We beat them earlier in the season and I don’t see why we can’t beat them again.” Millwall are just two points off the top six and have not lost in the league since before Christmas. Bialkowski added: “I’m very pleased with our form. We need to see where it takes us, but it can take us anywhere we want.”
CARDIFF CITY chief executive Ken Choo has lit the touchpaper to two potentially explosive games against Reading.
The Bluebirds boss has demanded an apology (above) from the Royals after four Cardiff fans were arrested during the FA Cup fourth round draw at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
And Choo questioned the club’s use of public announcements during the game.
“It is understood that the four Cardiff City supporters arrested were cited during the fixture for using what could be considered as unwarranted language,” said Choo in a club statement.
“This language could be heard between fans of both clubs and was of an antiWelsh/anti-English nature.”
The two teams meet again in the Welsh capital in a Championship clash on Friday, with their FA Cup replay taking place next Tuesday.
The Cardiff fans 7.45pm were arrested by Thames Valley Police for “alleged racially aggravated abuse”, but later released under investigation.
The public address system during the game asked fans to desist from making alleged racial and homophobic chants.
The police arrested two people from Caerphilly, aged
15 and 24, a 16-year-old from Abergavenny and a 21-year-old from Crickhowell.
“We are extremely disappointed that Reading Football Club chose to label the behaviour as racist and homophobic,” blasted Choo.
“We also question their protocol and procedure on the day and welcome a full investigation into its use for the benefit of both our clubs and indeed British football.
“The announcement made at Reading was damaging and hurtful and we would welcome a public apology from them to our supporters. “Our club has a zero tolerance approach to racist or homophobic behaviour and our supporters’ conduct consistently reflects that.”
Choo said he was confident “the reputation of our club and fans will be fully restored”.
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic admits he would like to make a couple of signings before the transfer window shuts.
But he said: “January is a bit about gambling. That’s true when you are talking about bringing in players from a foreign country.
“You have to do your homework, otherwise it can be a stupid gamble.”
P W West Brom 28 14 Leeds 28 15 Fulham 29 14 Nottm Forest 28 13 Brentford 28 14 Preston 29 13 Swansea 29 12 Millwall 28 11 Bristol City 28 12 Sheff Wed 28 12 Blackburn 28 11 Hull 28 11 Cardiff 28 9 QPR 28 11 Reading 28 10 Derby 28 9 Middlesbrough29 8 Birmingham 29 9 Stoke 29 9 Charlton 29 7 Huddersfield 28 7 Barnsley 29 5 Wigan 28 5 Luton 28 6
D L F A Pts 11 3 50 31 53 7 6 43 24 52 7 8 42 30 49 9 6 39 28 48 5 9 44 21 47 7 9 42 34 46 9 8 34 33 45 11 6 36 32 44 8 8 42 40 44 6 10 39 31 42 7 10 40 35 40 6 11 40 36 39 12 7 39 41 39 5 12 46 51 38 7 11 35 32 37 10 9 29 36 37 11 102936 35 7 13 35 46 34 4 16 36 42 31 9 13 37 41 30 8 13 31 44 29 9 15 35 54 24 8 15 25 43 23 3 19 34 61 21