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30th November
It’s Carlisle or Crewe at home in Round Three. Great.
29th November Millwall 3 - 0 Aldershot
Town: It wasn’t a great performance but fortunately
Chris Hackett and Dave Martin had their crossing boots on.
Alexander and Grimes took advantage...
...Kenny Jackett looks forward, “From my point of view
I want to move on as quickly as possible and concentrate on
the league for now as we've got a big game against Bristol
Rovers coming up next week.”
25th
November Millwall 1 - 0 Carlisle United:
In another one of those, bombard the opposition goal, but
never look like scoring games, the Lions eventually break
through right near the end via a Tresor Kandol bundle. It
wasn't very good but it was another major step forward in
the right direction…
…Kenny Jackett explains his methods of expectation,
"The top sides in the division seem to be winning every
week, and while it's nice and encouraging - especially for
the fans - to be in a good position I tend to look at points
totals. Before tonight's game there was about nine points
separating the top 10 teams so it's very tight. You need to
get about 75 points to get in the Play-Offs but it could be
more this season. Top two is usually about 80/90 points -
every year it's about that to get in the promotion positions…
…Earlier in the day, there is a stock market announcement,
"The Company has today completed a loan facility ("Loan")
from Chestnut Hill Ventures LLC. The principal terms of the
Loan are as follows: 1) the amount of the facility provided
by CHV is up to £3.5 million, 50% of which may be syndicated
to other lenders, subject to its terms, 2) the facility is
available for a two year period, 3) interest on the facility
will be 17% per annum and interest may be converted in PIK
notes, and 4) there will be an early prepayment or cancellation
fee of 20% of the amount prepaid or cancelled. The facility
will be unsecured save that it will be guaranteed by The Millwall
Football & Athletic Club (1985) Plc ("Club").
CHV will additionally have a right under the Facility to appoint
a non-executive director to both of the Company and to the
Club's board. The loan will be used for general working capital
purposes. Having consulted with Seymour Pierce, the Directors
of the Company (other than John Berylson and Demos Kouvaris
who are both directors of CHV), consider, that the terms of
the Loan are fair and reasonable insofar as shareholders are
concerned. Millwall's Executive Deputy Chairman Heather Rabbatts
commented, "Millwall is pleased to announce this loan
arrangement. To have successfully raised unsecured finance
from CHV at this time of financial uncertainty in the markets
further helps stabilise the Company's finances for the foreseeable
future."
22nd
November Leyton Orient 0 - 0 Millwall:
It's a squad game, as the Lions prove with a load of attacking
players available, but not enough defenders. Although that's
the theory, despite the defence standing solidly against the
home team and the attack wilting under the pressure of an
expectant visiting contingent of nearly 3,000. Poor stuff…
…Manager Jackett clearly feels it's two points dropped,
as he says, "I was pleased with the way we competed to
earn our third clean sheet in a row, but I didn't feel as
though we passed the ball well enough to create chances to
go on and win the game."
20th November
Leeds United winger Seb Carole is sent back to Elland Road
after a trial, with a ringing endorsement by manager Jackett,
"At the moment my options in wide positions are okay.
I have been pleased with the progress of my own wide players."
19th
November Millwall Plc. announce losses
of £6.1m in there latest accounts. Company chairman
John Berylson says, "My commitment to Millwall remains
as strong as ever. We have been through a very challenging
year, but are now beginning to reap the benefits of the tough
decisions we made, not least in the change of team management.
Under Kenny Jackett and his assistants, not only is the first
team challenging well at the top end of League One, but the
reserve and youth teams are also enjoying some success, which
is very encouraging. We will continue to work hard to maximize
our efficiency, investing wisely and diligently in the team
and club, seeking to build on the promise we have seen over
the past few months"…
…At last, Kenny Jackett officially dismisses press
speculation that he will be the next Watford boss, sort of,
"I don't know anything about that. I've had no contact
or approach and as far as I'm aware the club haven't either.
I'm under contract at Millwall and concentrating on the Millwall
job. There have been no discussions or approach from any other
clubs. I don't deal in ifs, buts and maybes. I'm under contract
here, I'm happy at the club and I'm focusing on the next two
league games which are really important for us in terms of
keeping pace, our progression and development."
18th November
It's Aldershot in the Cup, after they beat Rotherham in their
replay.
17th
November It may just be Dagenham
& Redbridge, but you can only beat what's put before you,
and the Lions impressive youth team cruise through to a FA
Cup third round game against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough,
after five goals in a 23 minute burst seals the visitors'
fate.
15th
November Millwall 1 - 0 Stockport County:
Both sides hit the woodwork in a tight game, which proves
why Stockport are worthy of an away record that had featured
just one defeat all year. In the end it takes a 25 yard free
kick winner from Dave Martin to separate two evenly matched
sides…
…Although delighted with the win, Kenny Jackett ensures
the match doesn't pass without mention of a diabolical performance
by referee Iain Williamson, "The ref was a bit harsh.
We didn't compete unfairly, so I wonder why he booked so many
of my players. I'd like to read his report and watch a DVD
of the game"…
…Tony Craig makes his 100th Football League appearance
for the Lions in the game. Andy Frampton makes his 50th in
all matches in the same game.
10th November
Chairman John Berylson is rapidly earning himself a reputation
for a man with a size ten in his mouth. Of the constant rumours
linking Kenny Jackett with a move away from The Den, he says,
"I would rather not have any approach from Watford. Unlike
Portsmouth and Harry Redknapp I'm not interested in compensation.
There is no price that would be enough. Even offering £10million
is meaningless because money is nothing to me. Making Millwall
a success is and I hope it is Kenny who achieves this. I want
Kenny to stay for years to come but he has to want to stay.
Millwall aren't a jail but my job is to defend the club."
Predictably, the £10m thing prises ajar a door of ridicule
for the newspapers, and TLR of course...
...As Danny Senda returns to full training, his team-mates
give him a round of applause.
9th November
The FA Cup draw pits the Lions against either Rotherham United
or Aldershot. At least it's at home. And of course, an eminently
winnable draw.
8th November Chester City 0 - 3 Millwall:
In what was an otherwise dull encounter against a truly awful
team, the Lions showed a level of maturity as a team that
appeared to indicate they knew they would win, it didn't matter
how long they had to wait. Grabban scored the first, as late
as 76 minutes, Harris added a second, to take him within one
of levelling Teddy Sheringham's much discussed club record,
and Ashley Grimes, on as a substitute, rounded off the rout
with a 20 yarder…
…Kenny Jackett is relieved, "The game was in a
pattern and I think our bench was the difference between the
two sides. Chris Hackett put in two excellent crosses from
the right and I was able to play Lewis Grabban through the
middle with his pace causing problems for their tiring defenders
as the game wore on."
6th
November Out of favour QPR midfielder
Adam Bolder, joins the Lions on loan for a month or so…
…The stunningly awful debut of Gifton Noel Williams
left little room for manoeuvre for the manager, and he has
no choice but to let the striker leave the club on loan to
Yeovil…
…Kenny Jackett is keen to distance himself from speculation
linking him with the vacant QPR and Watford managerial posts,
"There's always speculation about managers, it's part
of football. From my own point of view I try very hard to
ignore it and make sure I do my job. I'm planning both for
the short-term, which is our game against Chester on Saturday,
which I want to win, and for the long term which is very exciting
for Millwall. My focus is on this club and the job here. I'm
very happy at the club - the year I have spent at Millwall
has gone very quickly."
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