Meet the opposition | Millwall

14th September
First team
Millwall Maikel Kieftenbeld

As Swansea City prepare to host Millwall in the Championship, we take a closer look at the history and fortunes of the Lions.

What’s their story?

Millwall have spent the last five seasons in the Championship, and have been mainstays of the division having spent just two of the last 11 campaigns in League One.

The Lions haven’t been in the top-flight of English football since the 1989-90 season; the closest they have come to a return was finishing just outside of the play-offs in both 2017-18 and 2019-20.

The club famously reached the 2004 FA Cup final, but were beaten 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

How’s their form?

Millwall

The Lions have had a difficult start to the season but have picked up in recent weeks and are now three games unbeaten in all competitions.

They beat Blackpool just before the international break, and resumed league action with a draw against promotion favourites West Brom at the weekend.

They also remain in the Carabao Cup; defeating Portsmouth and Cambridge United to earn a third-round tie against Premier League Leicester City.

Who’s the boss?

Millwall Gary Rowett

Gary Rowett. The former Burton, Birmingham, Derby and Stoke manager enjoyed a fine first season with the Lions after succeeding Neil Harris, and enjoyed another strong campaign last term.

Ex-defender Rowett played for the likes of Everton, Derby, Birmingham and Leicester across a 16-year career as a professional.

He finished his playing career at Burton before moving into the dugout at the Pirelli Stadium, leading them to two play-off finals.

He then moved to Birmingham before steering Derby to the Championship play-offs. He joined Stoke from there but left his post after eight months.

Who’s the captain?

Millwall Jake Cooper

Jake Cooper joined the club in 2017 having spent three years with Reading. Cooper began his career in the Royals’ academy before moving to the senior squad in 2014.

Since joining the Lions, the centre-back has made over 170 league appearances and scored 15 goals over his three seasons with the club. Cooper helped guide the Lions to promotion to the Championship while on loan with the club, taking the armband in the 2020-21 season and he has led them in all-bar one league game so far this term.

Who are the key men?

Millwall Jed Wallace

Winger Jed Wallace has been pivotal for the Lions over the last few seasons, finishing as the club’s top scorer in the 2020-21 campaign with 11 goals. Wallace hasn’t slowed down this season either, netting three goals so far.

Benik Afobe joined the Lions on loan from Stoke at the start of the season and has hit the ground running, notching two goals in his first six games for the club. The forward has a history of being a dangerous striker in the Championship and will be a key figure, although injury looks set to rule him out of the clash with the Swans.

Sheyi Ojo joined Millwall on loan from Liverpool on deadline day, offering the Lions some excellent pace and trickery on the flanks. Ojo spent last season on loan at Cardiff City, contributing five goals and seven assists over his 41 games for the club.