Millwall (A) Match Preview
The Game
Millwall v Argyle. The Den. Saturday, 27 April. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Millwall began the season with just four defeats from their first 12 games, but just one win from their next 11 left them 20th in the table at the halfway stage. During that run, Gary Rowett left his post, and was replaced by Joe Edwards, but he lasted just until February, when a run of six defeats out of seven did for him.
Since Neil Harris was appointed, results have picked up, and most recently three successive wins - against Leicester City, Cardiff City and Sunderland - have pulled the Lions to safety.
The Gaffer
Neil Harris's association with Millwall began in 1998, aged 21, when he signed for the Lions for £30,000 from Cambridge City. Over the rest of his career, in two spells, Harris became Millwall's record goalscorer, scoring 138 times for the club. Having also spent time with Cardiff City, Gillingham, Nottingham Forest and Southend United as a player, he joined the Millwall coaching staff, having several stints as caretaker boss before becoming manager in 2015.
Harris was manager for over four years, reaching two League One play-off finals, winning the second one. He resigned in 2019, then spent 14 months as manager of Cardiff City in the Championship. In January 2022, he was named Gillingham manager. His 2023/24 season has been extraordinary, starting with Gillingham in League Two, then taking in a short spell at League One Cambridge United, before his dramatic return to Millwall in February 2024.
The Squad
Ryan Leonard played just once for Argyle when coming through the Home Park ranks but, now 31, he has gone on to have an excellent career. He played more than 250 times for Southend United, moved to Sheffield United, and after a successful loan spell at The Den, moved to Millwall in 2019. He has now played 144 times for the Lions.
Dutch attacker Zian Flemming (above) is Millwall's leading goalscorer this season. He has played some part in all of Millwall's 44 league games (starting 41), and has scored seven goals. Coming through the ranks at Ajax and playing for their junior team, Flemming has also played for Dutch sides Zwolle, NEC and Fortuna Sittard, before moving to Millwall in the summer of 2022. He was last season's Player of the Season.
No-one has started more games (42) for Millwall this season than defender Jake Cooper. The 29-year-old central defender came through the ranks at Reading and played just over 50 games for the Royals before a loan move to Millwall in January 2017. He made that move permanent that summer, and has now played 344 times for the Lions.
Earlier This Season
Millwall won 2-0 at Home Park when they visited in the first game of October. Argyle had played well without scoring until Zian Flemming's goal just before the hour mark. Millwall were then very professional in seeing the game out, George Saville adding a second goal deep into injury time.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their white away kit for this game.
Tickets
There is a ticket update on returns and collections, here.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, with Alex Wood and Katie Middleton, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube. Commentary will be provided from The Den by BBC Radio Devon. International supporters can buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
