Date: 29th August 2016 at 2:53pm
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Typical Millwall. Another blog comes around and there’s nothing to talk about.

I mean, in the past fortnight, we’ve been thumped 5-1 at Peterborough United – causing manager Neil Harris to unleash a tirade of venom towards certain members of his squad – beaten the title favourites in the last minute, scored a goal from the halfway line, signed a new player and won our first away league game of the season.

Give me something, for Christ’s sake…

It’s probably best that I start off with the Peterborough shambles, so it’s out of the way and well and truly in the past.

I was ‘fortunate’ to be in on Harris’ post-match press conference, in which the comments were initially spoken.

His emotion and the rawness of the situation was clear to see; perhaps that caused the remarks in a knee-jerk sense, or perhaps there were undercurrents bubbling under and that was the catalyst for the explosion – we’ll probably never know.

Fortunately, the heavy defeat and ensuing speculation lasted just a couple of days, as the Lions bounced back by beating bookies favourites Sheffield United 2-1. It wasn’t pretty, but the ability to dig in and get over the line, albeit in fortunate circumstances, stands the club in good stead going forward.

Between that game and Saturday’s 3-1 win at Chesterfield was the EFL Cup second round defeat to Nottingham Forest at The Den.

The halfway line wonder-goal from Shaun Williams was totally out of the blue, but, if you know the player, perhaps not completely unexpected. The Irishman possesses bundles of talent and the creativity to unlock defences week in, week out – unfortunately for him and for Millwall, that wasn’t evident last season, but so far this campaign, the midfielder seems to be back to his best.

eil Harris, temporary Millwall FC manager.Photo: Mark Leech

Lions boss and former Millwall striker, Harris – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

If Williams can continue his form throughout the year, then the Lions have a hell of an asset on their books.

The win over the Spireites leads me on to one man – Steve Morison.

Turning 33 on August 29, Morison could be forgiven for wanting to wind down his career, having played in the Premier League and gained international caps for Wales.

However, now, Lions fans seem to be seeing the best of the striker. When he arrived in SE16 back in 2009, Morison possessed explosive goalscoring ability, but there wasn’t much else there with regards to his all round game. Fast forward to 2016 and the Welshman is the complete footballer.

The striker has already notched five goals in 2016/17 and will certainly look to add many, many more to that total before all is said and done – but that isn’t Morison’s only asset.

Many Millwall fans will not need reminding that the frontman gives just about everything to Harris’ side. Whether its his dominance in the air, his leadership skills, his coaching of the younger players or his commitment to the cause, Morison is top of the charts with them all.

The old stager of the squad, the striker played 55 times last year – more than any other player. His enthusiasm for the game and the club has been apparent every single time I have seen him around the training ground and at games. The joker of the pack, Morison’s attitude is exactly what is required in a professional footballer – and it’s exactly what is required to play for Millwall, too.

He does have his doubters, mainly due to altercations between him and sections of fans, but if you ask me, moments like that show that he cares – and I’d rather that than certain other strikers we’ve seen at The Den in recent memory!

Tony Craig may wear the armband, but in many people’s eyes – including mine – Morison is the definitive captain of Millwall Football Club.

on of Millwall - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Morison has already netted five goals in all competitions this season – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

David Worrall was recently quoted in the press as saying that he thought the striker was “in his late 30’s” – if Morison continues in the same vain, then there’s no reason why he can’t be just as good when he is.

Moving back to more general matters and with the first month of the season almost up, the table will soon begin to take shape as the campaign gets into its full swing.

With the Lions currently sitting in fifth and with three home games in their next four fixtures, the opportunity to cement a top six spot as the season rumbles on is there.

With Bradford City and Coventry City – promotion contenders themselves – coming to The Den, it won’t be easy, but with the club just two home league wins from equalling the all-time record, hopefully that will be enough to spur them on.

Now, who’s for the Checkatrade Trophy?

 
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