London pride could be key for Lions
IWAS at the League One play-off final in May to watch Millwall pip Bradford to a place in this season’s Championship. As I made it back up Wembley Way that evening, I wondered how they would fare at the higher level.
It’s certainly been a tough start to the season for Neil Harris’s side with just the solitary point taken from the first four games.
Staying up will be the Lions’ main target and their home form will be vital to have a chance of doing that. If they can take some big scalps at The Den, then life will be a lot easier.
Prior to yesterday’s fixtures, Millwall and fellow promoted side Bolton apart, the two other sides yet to register a Championship victory were near neighbours Fulham and Brentford.
Having grown up in west London, supported QPR and played for Millwall, I certainly have a vested interest in England’s second tier this season.
All the clubs are managed by men that I have encountered throughout my playing days.
Hero
My League debut came at The Den in September 2000 alongside current Millwall manager Neil Harris. We beat Oxford 5-0 with Chopper shading it 3-2 in the scoring stakes!
QPR boss Ian Holloway was a hero of mine as a young boy and I very nearly signed for him on a couple of occasions.
I remember one particular phone call when he told me that I needed to shave my head because my receding hairline looked ridiculous from the stand! I took it on board, as you can see.
I was with Brentford’s Dean Smith at both Leyton Orient and Walsall. He is one of the best coaches I’ve worked with and I’m very pleased that he is enjoying success in management.
Finally, Slavisa Jokanovic was a first team player at Chelsea when I was in the reserves. He has done an outstanding job at Fulham with them playing some beautiful football. Despite the play-off hangover, I still expect the most serious promotion challenge from London to come from Craven Cottage.
Hangover
According to my calculations and google maps, the longest journey to attend a derby will be the 12 miles that the Millwall fans will do to Brentford on October 14 and vice versa when the Bees travel to Bermondsey on March 10 next year.
I’d be amazed if across the EFL there are four clubs as close together as the Championship’s capital quartet.
It’s hard to say if more local derbies are a positive for the clubs or if in fact they might have a detrimental effect on their chances of success.
I’m sure Millwall will relish the opportunity to go up against their rivals from north of the river and will be confident of picking up points, especially at The Den.
It’s not only the London clubs that have to contend with this. The Midlands is saturated with six Championship teams and Yorkshire with five. Derby dates will be vital this season.