Alex Neil vows Millwall will give all in 100th Dockers Derby against West Ham
Alex Neil has pledged that Millwall will meet West Ham United with full commitment when the Dockers Derby returns to The Den on Saturday for its 100th competitive edition.
Derby at a glance
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive meetings | 100th | First derby at The Den for 14 years |
| Millwall wins | 38 | From 99 previous meetings |
| West Ham wins | 34 | Millwall hold the historic advantage |
The South East London rivals meet again following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship, with the fixture carrying particular significance for Millwall supporters after a long absence from the calendar.
Neil’s side have been working through a demanding injury situation and the manager acknowledged the physical toll of their midweek efforts. A number of players suffered cramp late in matches, while academy players have been required to help the team finish games.
Even so, Neil said there would be no shortage of effort from his squad against the Hammers. He said the players would put everything into the contest, pointing to their recent exhaustion as evidence of their determination, and added that Millwall would be prepared for the occasion.
The Millwall manager has not attempted to reduce the importance of the derby, accepting that tension and emotion will be high inside The Den. He is also keen to see how West Ham, described as one of the division’s stronger sides, respond to the atmosphere created by the home crowd.
Millwall’s record gives them a narrow historical edge: the Lions have won 38 of the previous 99 competitive fixtures, compared with 34 victories for West Ham. The remaining 27 matches ended level.
Neil wants his players to produce the intensity their supporters expect, but he has stressed that passion must be controlled. He said the game will demand fight and aggression, while warning that Millwall must retain clear heads and make the correct decisions during a highly charged contest.
A positive result against their old rivals would provide a major lift to Millwall’s Championship campaign, as well as adding another notable result to their derby record.
