PREVIEW: MILLWALL (A)

14 December 2023

An in-depth look at Town's next Sky Bet Championship opponent.

- Millwall vs Huddersfield Town
- Saturday 16 December 2023, 3pm kick-off
- Full preview of what to expect from the Lions

Town will aim to get back in the win column when we journey to the nation’s capital on Saturday to take on Millwall at the Den in our latest Sky Bet Championship game of the season.

After a disappointing evening under the floodlights against Preston North End on Tuesday evening, Darren Moore’s men get a quick chance to put things right against Joe Edwards’ side.

The Lions have been a common Championship opponent for the Terriers over recent seasons, with both sides sharing the spoils as victors both at the Den and at the John Smith’s Stadium, and all signs point to another close encounter this weekend.

THE OPPOSITION

Millwall performed well against league leaders Leicester City on Wednesday, but still fell to a 3-2 defeat – their fourth defeat in their last five Sky Bet Championship games.

That means that the Lions have won one game in their last 11 fixtures, which leaves them level on points with us going into Saturday’s game, ahead on goal difference.

THEIR MANAGER

Like Town, Millwall changed their manager earlier this season, with Gary Rowett departing in October after four years in charge at the club, when he had guided the team to top-half finishes in the Championship.

Joe Edwards Millwall 16_9.jpg

Adam Barrett took caretaker charge for four matches until early November when Joe Edwards (pictured above) was appointed. He has good experience at high levels, taking charge of Chelsea’s youth team before working with their senior side as a coach. He also worked with Frank Lampard at Everton and led England’s Under-20 side before joining Millwall.

Things started well for Edwards, as he won his first ever game as a Head Coach – a 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. However, that has given way to the run of form detailed above.

LAST TIME OUT

Millwall lost 3-2 at league leaders Leicester City on Wednesday evening.

The Lions actually took the lead in the 9th minute when Tom Bradshaw headed home Murray Wallace’s cross, but Leicester turned things around with three second half goals before a late added time consolation from Kevin Nisbet.

Previous Starting XI (3-4-1-2):
Matija Sarkic; Ryan Leonard, Jake Cooper, Wes Harding; Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Allan Campbell, George Saville, Murray Wallace; George Honeyman; Tom Bradshaw, Duncan Watmore

FORMATION

Millwall have switched between a back four and a back three in recent weeks, twice deploying three centre halves – most recently in the midweek defeat at Leicester City.

In whichever shape they choose, they are offered width by their myriad of wide players – right back Brooke Norton-Cuffy in particular playing high up the pitch on their right side.

In central midfield they have options also, with Luton loanee Allan Campbell offering an all-action attacking presence whilst the likes of Billy Mitchell sit to protect the defence.

It has largely been two players up front, with an orthodox striker such as Tom Bradshaw paired with a player in a more roving, free role. Largely that has been Dutchman Zian Flemming, but former Middlesbrough man Duncan Watmore played that role on Wednesday evening.

WHO TO WATCH

Zian Flemming

Flemming in the player to feature in the most Sky Bet Championship minutes for the Lions so far this season, and he’s made good use of his time on the pitch – scoring four times and recording two assists.

Still only 25 years old, he was much sought after by Championship clubs when he decided to depart Dutch side Fortuna Sittard in the summer of 2022. Having progressed through the Ajax Academy, he played for PEC Zwolle before making a name for himself on loan at NEC.

Jake Cooper

Big centre back Cooper missed their weekend defeat at Cardiff City through suspension, but came straight back into the team for the midweek game at Leicester.

Cooper, who has now made over 300 Millwall appearances, has been the club’s regular captain on the pitch this season.

One of the most effective players in the division in aerial challenges, he’s a genuine threat from set pieces.

Murray Wallace Millwall 16_9.jpg

Murray Wallace

Murray is no stranger to Town fans, having played for the Terriers between 2012 and 2016 having moved to England from his Scottish side Falkirk.

Now 30, Wallace is one of several players who has featured extensively over time for the Lions; he’s now topped 200 appearances. He has played every second since Edwards took charge and scored in his only win so far – the 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Although Wallace does play as a left centre half, he has forged his career as a left back since leaving Town.

TOWN TEAM NEWS

Town boss Darren Moore is yet to face the press this week, speaking to the media at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex at 3pm on Thursday 14 December 2023.

Supporters will be able to watch the conference live on HTTV to hear the latest team news as it’s shared.

KIT

The Terriers will sport the acid lime away kit at the Den on Saturday.

Supporters still have plenty of time to get theirs before Christmas, with our Club Shop open each day in the run up to 25 December!

CLICK HERE to browse online.

TICKET NEWS

You can access full ticket information for Saturday’s game at the Den by clicking HERE.

iFOLLOW HTAFC

Due to the traditional Saturday 3pm kick-off time, video match passes for this fixture will not be available in the United Kingdom, but will be purchasable abroad.

Supporters who still want to follow every second of the game can purchase an audio match pass and not miss a second of the game!

CLICK HERE to find out more.

Match Reports

REPORT: MILLWALL 1-1 TOWN

16 December 2023

Late Delano Burgzorg penalty ensures a share of the spoils!

- Millwall 1-1 Huddersfield Town
- Added time Delano Burgzorg penalty secures a late point
- Brooke Norton-Cuffy had given the hosts the lead

A 96th minute penalty from Delano Burgzorg gave Huddersfield Town a deserved share of the spoils in dramatic fashion against hosts Millwall at the Den in our latest Sky Bet Championship game of the season.

The home side scored fairly early on in the second half in what was a relatively even game, but Town kept plugging away and got their just rewards when Josh Koroma’s volley was handled in the penalty area, allowing Burgzorg to step up and slam home from 12 yards out!

Moore made four changes from the midweek defeat to Preston, with the most notable being an immediate start for Jack Rudoni after his eight-game absence with a foot injury. Lee Nicholls was also back in the side, along with Yuta Nakayama and Jaheim Headley.

It took only 30 seconds for Town to threaten, with a headed clearance from Tom Lees – on his 100th start for the club – sending Danny Ward into space behind the Millwall defence. He entered the area only to see his shot blocked, and Sorba Thomas fired wide of target from outside the area on the follow-up.

Millwall had a couple of half chances as they showed their teeth early on too. The first saw striker Tom Bradshaw volley over at full stretch after Zian Flemming’s cross was knocked back into the danger area by Brooke Norton-Cuffy, and then Bradshaw did hit the target with a 17th minute snapshot on the turn that Nicholls claimed low to his right.

Rudoni was one of Town’s better players on his return, and his inclusion coincided with the Terriers enjoying the most possession they had in recent weeks. His excellent 25th minute pass inside former Town man Murray Wallace set Thomas clear down our right, but goalkeeper Matija Šarkić just beat him to the ball by advancing way out of his penalty area.

Nicholls soon claimed a long-range effort from Dutchman Flemming, but then Town put together a fantastic, patient passing move that led to a very presentable chance. Rudoni drove forward down our right before sliding a pass in front of Thomas, whose low cross found Ward; sadly, he could only flick the ball straight at the ‘keeper.

The Lions had the final two shots of the half. First Nicholls had to get two strong hands to a better effort from Flemming from range, and then a long free kick into our penalty area fell to Wes Harding, who stung Nicholls’ palms with a volley from a narrow angle.

Town started the second half in decent fashion, with a well-worked move ending with Headley’s shot being deflected behind as he entered the area.

Thomas fired a cross-come-shot over the bar as Town continued on the front foot before Kasumu saw an edge-of-the-box effort hit midfielder Saville before looping just over the crossbar.

The came the sucker-punch in the 57th minute. Millwall worked the ball across the pitch to their left side, where Wallace checked back onto his right foot and played a hard cross towards the back post. The initial cross had to be palmed away by Nicholls and when Norton-Cuffy reacted fastest to meet the rebound, our goalkeeper was very unlucky to see his double save end with the ball hitting the Millwall man before dribbling over the line.

Nicholls needed length treatment to an apparent head injury after the goal and that eventually forced him off, with Maxwell replacing him.

At the other end, Ward latched onto another good pass from Rudoni but couldn’t find Burgzorg with his low ball across the face of goal.

Maxwell made a good double save with around 20 minutes to go, coming out to smother a pass played into his area at the feet of a striker before recovering very well to claw away an attempted shot on the follow-up.

Town forced a number of corners and had some territorial pressure as the game played six minutes of added time, with the drama coming in the final minute!

Koroma had been fouled by Jake Cooper wide on the right touchline, allowing Thomas to send the ball into the box again. Sorba’s initial delivery was cleared high into the sky and when it dropped on the edge of the box, Koroma returned it on the volley – only for a defender to handball amongst a crowd of players.

Up stepped Burgzorg and he made no mistake, smashing the ball past the diving goalkeeper for his fifth of the season to secure a point.

Town’s team (3-5-2)
Lee Nicholls (Chris Maxwell, 66’); Tom Lees, Michał Helik, Yuta Nakayama; Sorba Thomas, Jack Rudoni, Jonathan Hogg (c) (Josh Koroma, 79’), David Kasumu, Jaheim Headley; Danny Ward, Delano Burgzorg

Unused substitutes
Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Tom Edwards, Ben Wiles, Josh Austerfield, Loick Ayina, Tom Iorpenda, Michael Stone

Town bookings
Jonathan Hogg (45+1’), Jack Rudoni (71’)

Gate
15,040

Town fans
750

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