One of the toughest fixtures of the season is upon us. Are Millwall going to play us off the park? No, but they have bullied us off it before and the indication is that they think they’ll do it again. Steve Morison says he’s going to turn into Zlatan Ibrahimovic and we have some big injuries.
Potential XI
GK – Baily Peacock-Farrell – Back fresh from his first competitive international start for Northern Ireland and confidence will be high. Had a great start to the season, will have to be strong tomorrow.
RB – Luke Ayling – Will have to be brave tomorrow. Leaders on the pitch is crucial, especially with the situation regarding some big players being injured.
CB – Pontus Jansson – Most of the team picks itself and the defence is obvious. Berardi out injured so Jansson and Cooper will start this one.
CB – Liam Cooper – He’s done his talking off the pitch this week and now it’s time for him to face Morison up and get the better of him.
LB – Barry Douglas – Millwall are very rigid in their formation and the way they build up play. The ball will often go long, then out wide as quickly as possible. Balls into the box need to be stopped at source. Douglas will be key.
DM – Kalvin Phillips – The biggest game of his season so far, and potentially will be all season given the circumstances. Millwall will be as physical as they possibly can. Phillips needs to be strong, but not get drawn in.
CM – Mateusz Klich – It feels so much better going into a game like this with Klich in the middle of the park. Last season we had O’Kane who was non-existent, this year we have arguably the most in-form midfielder in the Championship. The physical aspect won’t phase him.
CAM – Samu Saiz – If he turns up in a game like this he can win it. Millwall will play two central midfielders, probably up against Klich and Phillips and that leaves Saiz to roam. He has to get his decisions right.
RW – Jack Harrison – The only real attacking threat in the Boro game and this injury to Hernandez gives him his opportunity. A big game for him, the wide areas are key.
LW – Gjanni Alioski – He stands out for me from this fixture last season. It was like he didn’t know what had hit him and he hid, he didn’t want the ball and when he did he had accepted he was beaten. He’s been like a new player under Marcelo Bielsa.
ST – Tyler Roberts – A huge game and a huge opportunity for the player. Has barely kicked a ball for nine months and now he’s set to make his full debut just after making his Wales debut. Get him in behind, pace will kill Millwall.