Ferguson injury means selection puzzle for Millwall's Harris
SHANE Ferguson is likely to miss Millwall's trip to Scunthorpe United this Saturday with a hamstring injury.
The on-loan Newcastle player came off in the 89th minute against Barnsley, meaning boss Neil Harris had to bring on winger Lee Martin at left-back.
With Ferguson out, and Joe Martin still at least a week away from returning, it leave Harris with a tough decision to make this weekend.
Mark Beevers started the first two league games of the season but was taken off at half-time in the 4-0 defeat to Coventry last Saturday and wasn’t included in the squad against Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Beevers has also been linked with a move away from the club.
Harris could switch captain Tony Craig to left-back with Byron Webster coming in to partner Sid Nelson.
Youngsters Kyron Farrell and Noah Chesmain played there in pre-season but it would be a surprise were Harris to opt for inexperience for what is already shaping up to be a crunch fixture.
Both sides have made uncertain starts to the season and will be desperate for the points this weekend.
Harris told the club’s official website he is disappointed to lose his left-back: “Young Shane Ferguson is really struggling with a hamstring injury, which is unfortunate because he has come in and done well for us. That will be a forced change.
“I’m looking for a consistent line-up, if possible, with the odd tweak now and again to freshen things up.
“There is a lot for me to consider before the game on Saturday.”
My Team
Forde
Cummings
Nelson
Beevers
Willams
Fred
Powell
Abdou
Uspon
Morison (C)
Gregory
@JoeLewis: Forde you must be joking.
@jim1222: looks like nh lacks the bottle to drop him.
@butty:
I've come to the conclusion that he doesn't, Fordey seems to be bomb proof no matter what he does.
@Millwallsteve1972: Fords running the gaff
@JoeLewis: i agree forde will play, simply because if there is any chance someone needs a keeper they are less likely to take forde if he's been dropped for being shockingly s****, when the window closes he will be dropped! i for one can't wait to see the back of him!
@TONY BLOCK28:
Roll on September then Tony and hope you're right!
The talk of Webster coming in makes me very, very worried.
@Longfield Lion: as a Meopham lion I feel the same lol
I've heard a rumour today, 2 new players are on there way
@brooker: as rumours go its a s*** rumour as I have 0 details, if I hear more I'll tell you lol
@brooker: is it Aguero and Ya Ya Toure!!
@macman2: ashley cole at LB and Gattuso CM
@brooker: have we signed a striker
where have you heard that ?
@ rumour mill southstand, it goes into overdrive, guy I work with come up to me today and said "we got 2 new players coming, sounds like done deals"
I said "Who?"
he said "don't know yet but I'll try and find out"
@brooker: Bailey and the Hoff ????
@rowanonthewing7: when I'm back in work I'll see if I get anymore pearls of wisdom
Ferguson is a professional sick note.send him back.
Archer cummings nelson craig williams
Fred jimmy powell pch
Morro gregory
If someone asked you to fix .their roof and The tools they gave you was a screwdriver , a small ladder , safety pins and a packet of plasters . Would you do it. Rookie Neil Harris has no one to blame but himself. A good manager would have walked away with two fingers up to the chairman and board. The rot of millwall's roof has been there for all to see.. Don't say it's too early to call for him to go. He is part of the problem. A yes man .
@teddy.T: no offence ted,but that's possibly the stupidest post ive ever seen on this site,and ive seen a few.
@teddy.T: I understand what you are saying, I believe that Neil Harris is and has been naïve. I think he thought that he could just instil the "Millwall way of playing" into any side and that would die for the badge, unfortunately that has not happened, some of the players we have are simply not up to even this standard of football. Something that shone very brightly on Tuesday night, is that he has no Plan B when things start going wrong, despite it being obvious that keep playing the long ball was not working we played it for 93 minutes. The difference between the two teams was obvious, every time their goalkeeper had the ball, he rolled it to one of their players, so they had possession, every time forde had the ball he kicked up field, we never got on the end of it, so they had possession. Unless we have a center back who can dominate, such as Coventry's number 5, we are screwed. Same with midfield, we need a Nicky Bailey type, to control play. I think Neil need some experienced help.
Thecolmbbusblock@ ... No offence but jog on you mug
@teddy.T: ted if I had known you were a hard man id never had said it in the first place.
On a personal note I don't give a monkey's t*** who plays my enthusiasm for Wall is totally flat.
We have lost 3 home games on the trot out of the league cup, Millwall Lionesses are struggling a goalie in name only (won't be dropped because in ROI squad unreal) so there you have it. Roll on the JPT I say. Three years plus of dross and it was only Batman's goal against Watford that saved us a few seasons ago that was of his back side. Then the Hoff saved OLLIE (NOW A PUNDIT ON SKY) and as for appointing SL not even words can explain that one. Nope watch the results not really bothered one way or another at the moment and I definitely wont be wasting my money watching Wall because it just aint worth it. Solution join up with West Ham and share the Olympic stadium play our youth and reserve sides at Dartford or Bromley to get used to the pitches for when we hit the conference. Yep had great days with Wall and yes take the rough with the smooth but this shambles no thanks.
JIMMI ABDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO rules ok
The Millwall way mmm I guess that means punching above our weight by grinding out results with a dogged never say die attitude and that's what you must do when a lack of quality exists and in years gone by that's what we have had to do at times, not by choice but because that's where our strength lied at the time but at the moment we don't appear to have neither the quality or the grit and determination to pull us through. At times in the past we've had both in spades but unfortunately not thus far this season.
I thought Romeo was a LB. Play him and please forget Webster. Don't really want to see him in a Millwall shirt again!
If NH is trying to maintain a level of continuity (despite the losses) the LB should not be Craig. If Craig and Nelson are to be the main duo at the back they need to play together (admittedly better according to some of the comments I've read). So if the loanee is out, Martin is injured, would have to be Romeo being picked I'd hope. Even if he is young, I'd prefer to see a full back at full back.
Three games in and everybody is bitching. This forum is just like The Den, five minutes (at most) into each and every match and the insults begin. Is it any wonder why players look disinterested, why we cannot buy any decent players, why we appear not to be able to get other clubs to loan us promising youngsters.
Our passionate support is at the same time our greatest asset and biggest liability. Passion is one thing but the continual insults do nothing whatsoever to help our club
@eio:
I disagree
They get continually insulted because they continually under perform.
My boss only pays me £500 a week not £5k but I get called a c*** when I f*** up
If they players can't cope then they can pay back their wages and go work somewhere they will be loved and cuddled!
@longsuttonlion: Dead right mate,if they dont like it then ask to have their contract's cancelled,instead of drawing big wage's and then going through the motion's on match day's.
I would like to see more younger player's given their chance,because some of the senior's attitude is not what it should be.
The injuries we are getting are also a big worry,match day injury's i can accept ,but we have far to many injury's in training,what is going on?.
@longsuttonlion: Your boss might call you a c*** which is most probably what Harris is doing at this moment in time to some players.....completely different thing to your bosses customers/clients calling you a c***
@eio: Forde's mess up's are not three day's in,they have been going on for the last two season's.
@jim1222: Agree with you, his position in the team is not justified and he should be dropped in favour of Archer.
Since his promotion to ROI number 1, he has the air of a man who thinks that he is bigger than the team, even though his form has declined to the point where he has had no offers from 'bigger' teams
@eio: kinda hard not to moan when your loosing after 5 mins and its cost you hundreds of pounds to watch muppets get paid thousands to not care
@eio:
Unfortunately the players are far from "disinterested" - they get a reasonable whack for playing. What you probably meant was "uninterested" - and there I refer you to my last sentence.
I have no problem with their being depressed, fed up or even, however unjustifiably, underappreciated - God knows many of us feel that way when we pitch up to a game - but so long as they get paid they can't be uninterested because this is their job.
@The Humble One: "feeling" not "being". When is this site getting an edit button?
What I don't understand is, weren't not even out of August and people are calling for Bombers head, anyone who complains if you think you can do a better job then do it simple but after what 3/4 games you call for his head I think you need to check your own first
I've not read anyone call for NH head, I've read from a few that he is inexperienced and could do with some help from an older head.
And it's not 3-4 games, he had 10 games last season and has had 2 years working with all the talented youngsters that he is (not actually) bringing up.
The team that plays every week he knows, hardly any change to the crap team that got relegated. the 2 new players into the regular mix are 2 ex team mates of his so he should know them too.
you are right but don't you think other clubs give players stick - WHU got booed off regularly last year and this, in the Europa league - Villa Sunderland Newcastle etc etc - some players come through it and some don't - but first and foremost you have to have ability to affect a game. fred can affect a game Morison can and others like abdou have their role - keep to your function within the team - but we have had too many over the last 3 years that cannot perform any decent role - they get the basics wrong and supporters, me included get frustrated by the lack of skill. marquis is a case in point. Against Barnet he had virtually no effect whatsoever - utterly useless . Forde also is just not good enough. What are we supposed to say ' don't worry keep trying' . They have had long enough and need to leave. Play at a lower level. I never accuse players of not trying unless it is like n'guessan , but there is a point where you should expect pros to be able to do basic things - it is up to them to improve or why should they expect us to watch them - it is free on Sunday morning.
@timchimes: Great post tim.
At the moment and for many months of the latter part of last season Force has lost confidence in performing basics and so is 3rd or 4th choice for Ireland meaning he does not play. We need to follow suit, give Archer his chance and hope Ford recovers confidence if at all. I say it again we need a Bailey type in midfield and fit for purpose defenders. That is aggressive centre backs and full backs who know their job with steel, skill and some speed. If we don't have them we need to get some but though they may be already at the club we cannot wait indefinitely. We now seem to be able to score a few goals so get the spine right and we will be OK. Keep the faith and hopefully a good performance Saturday and away we go again. COYL
I'd play
Archer
Cummings
Nelson
Craig
Martin
Fred
Jimmy
Upsin
Paris
Morrison
O brien
Also where is this joe Martin or is he another racon
I'd play
Archer
Cummings
Nelson
Craig
Martin
Fred
Jimmy
Upson
Paris
Morrison
O brien
Also where is this joe Martin or is he another racon
Very disappointed by some of the comments I have been reading on NAD of late yes we all feel p***** off im no different but to be slaughtering Bomber after just three games is very sad , when offered the job of being manager of the club he loves of course he would take it.
That opportunity even if slightly to early in his managerial career was im sure a no brainer for Bomber & Dave of course he still has loads to learn but please lets not turn into that fickle mob across the road they have hounded out every decent manager they have ever had Neil deserves a bit more respect & time to get it right .
You should perhaps remember Fergie was one game away from getting the sack before turning it round and becoming successful .
Harris will always be a legend at millwall no doubt about it but he's still learning as a manager. 4 us to get our millwall back and to bounce back to where we should be. We need a manager with experience not a man who's still learning but done get me wrong none of this is to blame on Harris. He was throne in at the deep end with free all. To tell the truth is think the problem is a lot deeper then we imagine. Surley 3 different managers can't be experiencing the same problem. Lomas, Holloway, nd now Harris....
@JordieLion: Good point made at the end , for Harris to question if players want to play for the club, and young Fred to ask for the senior players to stand up and lead, after 4 games ! something is not right.
Saturday's team:
Gk. archer
Rb. Cummings
Cb. Nelson
Cb. Beevers
Lb. Craig
rm. Paris
cm. Powell
cm. abdou
Lm. Fred
St. Morison
St. Obrien
If robinson was still here .i'am pretty sure he wouldn't have gone and got craig..now hes gone down same path as coco and made a poor defender captain..and for the ones that didn't go tuesday forde actually made some vital saves and was only at fault for the 3rd..the other goals were down to inept defending..as for the game itself it started well .should have been 2 up but for a idiot lino..then the mid seem to drop deep and was no longer in the game.and when they were the gap between them and the strikers was huge..this i blame on our supposely key mid player williams..in fact for the first 25mins i didn't think he was actually playing..so the obvious happened..then young ben & AOB replaced the pair and ran barnsley ragged..no surprise we got back into the game..so neil we beg you to keep ben in the team
@Jim28: Agree with you,what sa happened to Powell seems to be out of the picture speaking for myself looks good and deseve a run give Williams something to think about
Managers keep saying we want to play "the Millwall way" I don't get what that means because in all honesty we have had two seasons in the top flight... I would rather we aim to play the Barcalona or Beyern way because we have been s*** for 15 out of the past 20 seasons. Waits for the dislikes......
COYL all i want 2 see 2mra is passion no playing rugby play football no f****** ball watching either lads always and try and get possession past the ball aways find space COYL u get paid 4 this that the least u can do 4 us I say 1-0 wall COYL NOLU WDC
A win at Scunny will put a lot right but another defeat isn't worth thinking about.
The team has to be balanced with players 'in form' being selected - those out of form sit on the bench or elsewhere - and play players in their natural positions - not shifted along the back 4 to make up the numbers. If Romeo is the only fit LB in the club play him.
If Forde has lost confidence (or whatever) then play Archer, if Thomson or Powell are looking sharp in training then play them. As for up front, how come Gregory and Marquis, despite all their hard endeavours, have only scored one each this season (league + cup + friendlies) and they were both from the spot.
Q. if Forde is really as bad as many fans says he is, why is he still first choice GK? that's assuming he still is still first choice. Possible reasons - 1. NH thinks he is better than Archer, that should be the only reason really, obvious you play your best team whenever possible. 2 as others have suggested NH is for whatever reason reluctant to drop Forde some say out of loyalty, others say he hasn't got the bottle, if it is for one of the latter two reasons then the question must be asked is NH ruthless enough to be manager? if it is for reason NO:1 then some might say he's judgement is in question. Personally I don't know I have no information that would assist me in giving an opinion. Anyone have insider knowledge on the goal keeper issue?
Team against wolves last game last season
1 David Forde
2 Alan Dunne 35 Sid Nelson 16 Mark Beevers21 Dan Harding
7 Lee Martin23 Jack Powell26 Nadjim Abdou15 Edward Upson
9 Lee Gregory 22 Aiden O'Brien
Subs
4Shaun Cummings 12Paris Cowan-Hall18Magaye Gueye27 Jordan Archer34Ben Thompson
39Alfie Pavey 45Jamie Philpot
Sorry I see most of the same players from last season in the squad (including bench) that got relegated, and they are still getting time and we are wondering why we are losing still, its a core team of failures. of the players that we shipped out only 1 name from the starting line up actually left. Harding was a loan player and magaye on the bench. we got rid of players but the team is still the same, the only real difference is we've swapped Dunne for Craig, and Fred is now playing.
We need fresh players on the pitch, we have only freshened up with old moro and young fred, not the overhaul most were expecting.
Gk. archer
Rb. Cummings
Cb. Nelson
Cb. Beevers
Lb. Craig
rm. Paris
cm. Powell
cm. abdou
Lm. Fred
St. Morison
St. Obrien
To be perfectly honest this is no other than I expected and foresaw so very long ago. This whole problem dates back to when we had a Mr KJ in charge and a certain Chris Wood banging in goal after goal. We was third at one point that year!! I couldn't give a monkeys what anybody says we should of signed him full stop, broke the bank, messed up our finances for a year or two just to bring him in, give him a 5k bonus for scoring etc, he was that good and I'm sure his goals alone would of made us a challenging championship side, giving us a return on any money spent acquiring him. Instead the board p***** about and claimed he chose Leicester over us although we offered pound for pound which is total nonsense, and this is where the problem is, the board and JB. Year after year they refuse to invest the amounts needed to improve Millwall as a whole and then try to change our philosophy by introducing youth and saying this is the new way, after such spectacular failures in SL and IH. As much as everyone likes to think there is probably two maybe three players in that current youth set up that will ever be Championship standard and thats the truth of it. As for NH, i love him to bits for what he has done for Millwall and always will but lets be honest, the situation we are currently in leaves him ridiculously out of his depth, why? because he has a board that are naive and very one dimensonial. Just look at this year for example who have we signed? ermm oh yeah tony craig (the guy we let go because he wasn't up to scratch in the first place) ermm Joe Martin (a freebie) exclude Archer and Morisson imo they were obvious targets. As for that we literally have the same squad from last year, thats pathetic and laughable. Ultimately though the pattern is becoming very apparent, 3 managers, 2 of which messed up and NH is looking the same way unless things drastically change. Its time for JB to sell before there is some kind of revolt against him, there is a poison within the club and until it is gone expect the same s*** to be rolling out of the New Den on the regular. I think I speak for a few Millwall fans right now and that is the fact I am f****** embarrassed to call myself a Millwall fan right now and I have never felt like that in all my 21 years of support!
Good post I agree with most of it no ambition and no vision we have become the Poundland of football as you said embarrassing @lionollie: