Millwall (H) | Schumacher's Preview
Argyle’s last three games could scarcely have been more different from one another.
From a 4-1 defeat at Bristol City in which the Pilgrims were clearly second best, via blowing away promotion hopefuls Norwich City at Home Park, to a ground-out draw at Hull City, the Greens have run the Sky Bet Championship gamut in recent days.
Tuesday night’s visitors to Home Park, Millwall, have taken inconsistency a level further. In their last six games, they have won two, drawn two and lost two. The results include three clean sheets, two 3-0 defeats, a 3-0 victory and two creditable draws on the road.
“Millwall's last few results sort of sums up the Championship,” said Argyle manager Steven Schumacher. “I think it's so unpredictable. If you look at our performance against Bristol City and then we go and perform like that against Norwich - anyone on their day can beat anyone. What I will say about Millwall though is that they've become a firmly established Championship team over the years.”
When taking into account the last several seasons, Millwall have been consistent as far as final finishes are concerned. In the last four seasons, they have finished them all in the top half of the table, although not reaching the play-offs.
Manager Gary Rowett is approaching four years in the job, which in modern-day football terms makes him the eighth longest-serving manager in the top four divisions.
Schumacher is under no illusions about the challenge faced by his Lions’ opposite number and his team.
“They've got really good players who know what the level's all about,” he said. “They've got a manager who's experienced in the Championship now and knows what it takes to get results.
“They've done so well last season. This season they've been a little bit hit and miss but we know coming into the game that we're going to have to be at it 100% because to beat a strong, established Championship team then you need to do everything right.
“The data that shows that they don't have loads of possession, they have an average amount of possession; they can be quite direct, but they're effective with it.
“They keep things alive; they compete in midfield and they’re a real threat from set plays as you would expect with the size that they've got, at the back especially.
“It's going to be a game that we're going to have to stand up to whatever they throw at us, and then be organised like we have been with our shape over the last few games.
“Be nice and solid – and then when we get our opportunities to pass the ball in, to do that, because we know when we play well at home, our movement, the speed that we play at, it can cause teams problems. That'll be the message to the lads: be ready for them, but don't be scared to be us either.”
Schumacher reports no injury concerns from the weekend’s game, but says that Lewis Gibson, who missed the trip the Hull, will no pass muster for Millwall, either.
“Gibbo isn't going to be available [for Millwall],” said Schumacher. “He had a scan on his foot. Thankfully, it doesn't seem too serious. Now, we'll have to get our heads together with the medical team and decide whether we get him or try and get him available for the weekend against Swansea, or do we let it settle over the international period.
“We’ll have that conversation today, I'm sure, and over the next few days, the picture will be a bit clearer on him. But for tomorrow, he's definitely not available.
“Everyone's fine from Saturday. There were no issues. There was a bit of tiredness, and a few lads had a bit of cramp towards the end of what was a really intense game, but no issues apart from that.”
