Millwall’s star turn

Tuesday, 31/08/2010

by Rob Gallagher, Shoot’s Millwall blogger

What a difference a week makes! After the bitter disappointment of last week’s defeat to Leeds, Millwall bounced back with back-to-back wins at the Den.

First, a 2-1 victory over Championship big-spenders Middlesbrough in the League Cup. Once again striker Steve Morison was a constant thorn-in-the-side as he terrorised the away defence and got himself on the score sheet in the process by dispatching a powerful penalty. Liam Trotter scored the other goal after a Robinson knock-down from a corner.

It’s Ipswich at the Den in the next round and after that who knows?

Second, on Saturday, Millwall entertained unbeaten Coventry City. The Sky Blues were always going to prove a tough test and opened the stronger of the two sides. But after man-in-form Morison forced Coventry’s Martin Crainie to put the ball into his own net there was little doubt who would win.

Coventry equalised on the break thanks-to Aron Gunnarsson’s smart finish but, after Carl Baker was sent off for two yellows, Millwall pushed on through Liam Trotter’s 18-yard lob and a Morison penalty.

Trotter and Morison are certainly amongst the goals at the moment but while everyone is focusing (and rightly so) on Morison I want to have a look at Trotter.

Saturday’s lob against Coventry was Liam’s third goal in five games. However, Trotter’s game is about much more than getting into goal-scoring positions and, at a cost of £75,000 from Ipswich, could be one of the signings of the season!

Liam is the box-to-box midfielder that we have been crying out for since Tim Cahill left for Everton in 2004. Trotter has a wide range of passing in his arsenal that has been splitting defences in every game this season and he is developing an excellent understanding with central midfield partner Jimmy Abdou.

Surprisingly overlooked, along with winger James Henry, for the recent England Under-21 squad Trotter should be hopeful of international recognition if he keeps up his form throughout the season.

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