Millwall vs Leeds United is always a spicy occasion but this one is heating up like never before. Leeds United are sat top of the league and the players are saying they won’t be affected by the New Den and it’s atmosphere, like last season. On the other hand the Millwall skipper is saying he’s going to turn into Zlatan Ibrahimoic for the afternoon.
Steve Morison’s comments in the press about turning into Ibrahimovic for the game were designed to wind the Leeds players up and although it may not specifically work like that there is little doubt that it’s ruffled some feathers. He’ll be up against Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson, and Liam Cooper, who made the initial comments to spark Morison to reveal his bizarre plan has responded today, labelling it “tripe” from Morison. He may not be bothered like he says, but he’s been drawn into commenting for starters.
Cooper on the battle with Steve Morison, who's promised to play like Ibrahimovic: "He's important but all that tripe about Ibrahimovic – if it makes him feel better then so be it. We know what we've got to do and we know the standards we've set." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) September 13, 2018
The two captains will certainly have the words of each other in their heads as they take to the pitch on Saturday and its now up to Cooper to prove he isn’t bothered by Morison trying to play mind games. Cooper certainly has a quality performance in his locker but on the flipside he also has it in his locker to struggle in a game of this nature. Last season he was sent off in a wild atmosphere at Elland Road against Millwall, great work from the Millwall players but also ill-advised from Cooper himself with the tackle.
Morison loves playing against Leeds United, there is little doubt regarding that. He loved the fixture at Elland Road last season and getting the image of him grinning from ear to ear as the fourth went in to sink us was hard to remove. He certainly steps his game up for this fixture but it’s down to Jansson and Cooper to shut him up, and that will be decided on Saturday afternoon.
