Meet the opposition | Millwall
Swansea City travel to The Den to take on Millwall on Tuesday night. Here we take a look at the hosts’ form and key figures.
What’s their story?
Initially formed as Millwall Rovers in 1885 they played in the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs until 1910 at which point they stopped roving and made a permanent home at The Den in New Cross. In 1993, they moved to The New Den.
Since joining the Football League in 1920, the club have spent the vast majority of their time moving between the second and third tiers.
The Lions only foray into the top-flight came between 1988 and 1990. In the 1988-89 season, they achieved their highest league finish of 10th in the top tier.
They have reached the FA Cup final once (2004) and were Football League Trophy finalists in 1999. Their FA Cup final runners-up place earned them a place in the Uefa Cup as winners Manchester United had already secured a place in Europe with their league position.
How’s their form?
Good. Across 10 games, their form is fourth best in the league with six wins and three draws. That defeat came to Stoke City just before the international break, while last time out they played out a 2-2 draw with fourth-placed Luton Town.
They are a team who rarely concede keeping six clean sheets in their past 10 matches and their home form is among the best in the league. They currently sit 10th in the table with a game in hand and the play-off places are very much in their sights.
Who’s the boss?
Gary Rowett. The 48-year-old former defender arrived at The Den in October 2019. He began his coaching career at Burton Albion, taking them to consecutive play-off appearances before switching to Birmingham City.
He masterminded a remarkable turnaround to the Blues fortunes leading them to seventh in the Championship before his surprise exit.
He went on to have stints with Derby County and then Stoke City before becoming Lions boss.
After barely escaping relegation in the 2018-19 season, Millwall finished eighth the following season and 11th the season after that under Rowett’s guidance. With the points extremely tight at the top end of the table, the Lions will feel a top-six finish is still in their sights over these final weeks of the season.
Who’s the captain?
Jake Cooper. In the absence of club captain Alex Pearce, who has missed significant periods of the season through injury, defender Cooper has been wearing the armband.
The 27-year-old initially joined the club on loan from Reading in January 2017 but made the move permanent the following summer after helping the Lions earn promotion to the Championship.
After a solid first campaign in the second tier, he was one of the key men the following year as he played every minute while scoring six and providing six assists.
The ever-present defender - who is tremendously effective at meeting set-pieces in both boxes - went on to achieve a remarkable run of 136 consecutive matches for Millwall. This season he has made 39 appearances, scoring four and picking up 10 yellow cards.
Who are the key men?
On-loan striker Benik Afobe leads the line for Millwall with 10 goals and two assists so far this season.
The forward joined Stoke City on a permanent move from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2019; he spent time in the Turkish top-flight with Trabzonspor last season - scoring five goals in 29 appearances - but is having a fine season this term
Jed Wallace has long been a key figure for the Lions, and that has continued this season with the influential midfielder posting six goals and 10 assists so far this term.
Wales international Tom Bradshaw has also proven effective in front of goal while, in defence, skipper Cooper is a key figure for Millwall.