Millwall Boosted by Middlesbrough Draw Ahead of West Ham Derby
Millwall will take confidence into Saturday’s derby with West Ham United after becoming the first visiting side to leave the Riverside Stadium with a point this season, drawing 2-2 with Middlesbrough in midweek despite an extensive injury list and a demanding run of fixtures.
The Lions built an unexpected two-goal advantage before the interval, with Tairyk Arconte and Lyndon Dykes on target, but Middlesbrough recovered after the break to claim a share of the points. Even so, the result represented a timely lift for Alex Neil’s side, who had been beaten in four of their preceding five games in all competitions.
Neil’s satisfaction centred on the resolve shown by a squad he says has been stretched to its limit. Millwall have 11 established first-team players unavailable, while a sequence of successive midweek matches and travel commitments has added to the physical burden on those still available.
The manager said he could not question his players’ work rate, noting that the Middlesbrough match was their fourth consecutive Tuesday fixture. With West Ham due at The Den at the weekend, Neil acknowledged that several members of his squad are close to exhaustion, but praised the commitment they showed in securing the draw.
Derby follows quick turnaround
Millwall now face a significant London occasion against West Ham, in what will be the clubs’ first competitive meeting since February 2012. West Ham won that match 2-1, and arrive this time seeking a swift return to the Premier League following relegation.
The Lions are only four points behind the Championship summit and will look to challenge the division’s leaders despite the fatigue and absences affecting Neil’s selection. The Millwall manager has made clear that his immediate priority is to ensure his team remains difficult to overcome, relying on collective spirit as much as fresh legs.
For Millwall, the visit of their rivals offers both a test and an opportunity: to turn a resilient display on Teesside into a defining home performance in front of a full-blooded Den atmosphere.
