Read Part 1 if you haven't already - it's at this link.
Come Boxing Day, however, the unbelievable happened - a convincing 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers. Yes, they may have been fellow strugglers, but it was a clear sign the Joe Edwards era could be about to begin. Then came a win against Norwich, and it was hard to not be a bit more optimistic. Then came an away game against Bristol City.
1-0 win against Bristol City
I've already blogged about this match, albeit it was consigned after a few paragraphs on Bristol Cathedral. I wrote that "the match itself was rather appalling", and admittedly both teams were mostly defending by the second half. There was a late winner, but I can't help but imagine it wasn't all too deserved. At least the trip felt more worthwhile due to the goal, as otherwise I'd have spent fourteen hours out and about just to see a boring match. Yet it was also the first win I'd seen this season, as well as the first goal I'd witnessed. The first clean sheet, too. And it just so happened to be the perfect template for every match I'd watch from here on in.
A battling loss to Leicester City in the FA Cup followed - I watched some of it on the TV, and was impressed by how well they were doing. I wasn't particularly keen on going to another match so soon after the previous game, and I had some revision to get on with at home. From there, though, it was only downhill for Edwards. One point in nearly two months followed. Three times they lost the lead, and in the other four games before he was sacked, they were embarrassed repeatedly. A 4-0 loss to Ipswich was hard to accept - I was on holiday at the time, so had to rely on my dad for information. Supposedly, they started off well, yet that meant nothing by the end. A loss to Sheffield Wednesday saw Edwards' departure, and with that, he only oversaw 19 matches, starting and ending with Wednesday. Since that first match, Millwall took 13 points. Wednesday took 23.
Neil Harris had just joined Cambridge United a few months earlier, so him rejoining Millwall was a pleasant surprise. By now, the club were in 21st, and relegation was possible. I knew Millwall would improve, but thought it wouldn't be enough. Sure, he was a club legend, and a capable manager, but on the basis of the past few matches, I had pencilled in a trip to Lincoln next year.
First was a win against Southampton, then flying high in the league. Away! And remarkably, the first win without a clean sheet the whole season. Then a win against Watford and a draw to Blackburn, and they were up to 18th again. And Birmingham were next. They too had messed up in their managerial appointments, and both were separated by one point.
1-0 win against Birmingham City
I've already blogged about this match...sort of. It was as a haiku in a writeup on a footpath in Surrey Quays. And the match itself wasn't all that great - both clubs trying to grind out a much needed draw. Back to hoofing it up the pitch. A last minute winner from a corner. Another vital result, and confidence grew again.
Then they lost to Rotherham United a few weeks later, and the doubt returned. Rather kindly, Millwall decided to not relegate them. It was Rotherham's only win this year so far, and they ended up going down a week later. After Millwall lost to Huddersfield, there was only one way a match with Leicester could have gone.
1-0 win against Leicester City
- Goodness, match programmes are so thin nowadays. Sure, they cost just £1, but for far less content.
- Everyone around me said it would be a thrashing...I said it would be a draw. For some reason, this match was maybe the first time I was overly optimistic for Millwall in a while. I suppose everyone was wrong by the end.
- Being very defensive → booing from fans at half-time. Sure, that goal clearance was poor, but it wasn't all that bad.
- How did Longman score that?
- Leicester need to learn how to score.
- Billy Mitchell is a legend for that clearance.
- I spotted a man petting some police horses.
- This time, dark skies don't imply defeat.
Then they beat Cardiff and Sunderland, before the final game against Plymouth. My dad unexpectedly bought me a ticket for the final home match, with survival now guaranteed. Six wins from eleven for Harris.
1-0 win against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth weren't great, but neither were Millwall. Another late goal from a header. You'd have thought both clubs were firmly midtable if you were given no context beforehand. And in classic Millwall fashion, the game ended with a pitch invasion with a few flares and stewards forming a barrier with bodies and ticker tape. It's sad to think it will be another three months before another writeup - this club is never particularly dull. And with that, it was seven wins from twelve for Harris.
Then they played Swansea, not that it mattered. Either way, they got another win. Eight wins in thirteen for Harris, and Millwall was the most inform team since he joined, a 13th place finish a reward. See you in a few months, then; maybe there'll be more than one goal, not scored by a defender.
The dull awards show
Best player in the eight games I watched - Danny McNamara. Always gives his best for the club, and when you least expect it, he puts in a crucial tackle to stop an attack. I was slightly disappointed to see Norton-Cuffy was preferred to him as he was far better a winger with his dribbling skills. Loved by the fans, McNamara has been great whenever I've watched him play.
Best match watched - Leicester City. I don't really have great options to pick from - I'll go with the unexpected gritty performance, the one where the fans went from complaining to cheering, where Ryan Longman turned into Messi for three minutes, when it was clear everything was improving.
Here's my writeup on the Leeds match:
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