YOUNG LION POWELL AT HOME AT DEN
MILLWALL manager Ian Holloway showed compassion and trust before talking up the young career of 20-year-old Jack Powell following victory over his former employers and struggling Blackpool at The Den.
The midfielder, making his league debut after a first-team bow against Southampton in the League Cup in midweek, set up Scott McDonald for the Lions’ opener in the first half and looked at home in the centre of the park.
Scott Malone extended the Lions’ advantage after half-time with Nile Ranger replying for the visitors 20 minutes before the end.
And Holloway, whose Millwall outfit sit fifth in the Championship table, was delighted to see his decision to select Powell pay off after letting Jimmy Abdou go home on compassionate grounds.
“He played really well against Southampton on Tuesday and I felt I was brave to throw him in then,” said Holloway.
“But he shone and I had to let Jimmy Abdou go back to France to attend his grandfather’s funeral because I believe that’s the right thing to do.
“That left an opportunity, and I could have done other things, but I know he’s a great passer of the ball. The Den can do things to people but he looked right at home.
“You have to create people that want the ball and that is the biggest difference between us now and last season. I am pleased with the way we are trying to get it and play.
“We have got to tidy things up and not get carried away and emotional like we did towards the end.
“We got ourselves into a great situation with a brilliant goal and then we have just got to learn to manage the game.
“It ended up as a scrap but I’m glad we didn’t throw it away because, on the balance of play, I would have been fuming had they equalised.”
On 14 minutes Blackpool had a goal ruled out for a foul by Nathan Delfouneso after he unfairly wriggled away from Carlos Edwards before crossing for Ishmael Miller to turn home.
The Lions went in front on 33 minutes with a well-rehearsed free-kick routine. Powell sent a low delivery into the box and McDonald, who had peeled away from his man, fired in. Six minutes after the break they extended their lead when McDonald sent the ball across goal and Malone popped up to convert.
Ranger reduced Blackpool’s arrears 20 minutes from time when he controlled Francois Zoko’s centre before shooting coolly into the corner.
Three minutes later the controversial forward reached the byline and picked out Steven Davies but he could not find the target from eight yards. Davies came closest to levelling one minute into stoppage time but David Forde got down well to his left to keep out the 18-yard strike.
The result leaves Blackpool pointless and bottom of the Championship.
And boss Jose Riga believes their lack of bite in front of goal is costing them.
He said:“The efficiency of the team is very important. When you have opportunities you have to put them into the net.
“We started the second half in the worst way possible. We conceded from a throw in and then after we scored and had enough opportunities to take a point, and maybe more.
“The reality stays the same but I am sure that we can solve some problems but we have to improve our efficiency.
“Nile Ranger came on and made a difference, like in our previous game.
“He has ability but we are missing personalities at the moment. We have people like Peter Clarke and Tony McMahon but we need other leaders.”