Ahead of Saturday's game, we spoke to Ben Green from That Millwall Podcast to discuss the Lions' season and how he thinks the match will go.
Millwall currently sit 16th in the Championship, how would you review your season and are you now surely safe from relegation?
Our seasons has been one of huge amounts of change. At the start of the season we lost our chairman, John Berylson which really affected everyone at the club. Then long term manager Gary Rowett left and we appointed unknown coach in Joe Edwards. Now going back to legend Neil Harris who has galvanised and guided the club to safety (hopefully), it’s been a year that we haven’t been used to.
I say hopefully, I do think we safe now. I think Huddersfield or Wednesday need 7 points from 3 games and we’d need to lose all 3, which I don’t think will happen but being a Millwall fan nothing is 100%.
Assuming you do stay up, how do you see next season going?
Next season is huge for us. There will be a huge amount of turnover in the squad. We’ve got 5 loan players, who I expect us to lose back to their parent clubs, maybe bar one in Ryan longman. We’ve got 4/5 players out of contract who I think we’ll lose and a couple of players in the squad who I think we’ll need to sell to raise funds for a rebuild. So the summer is going to be huge for us and one I’m worried about.
How did you do in the January transfer window and what do you need in the summer?
January was good for us. We got in Japhet Tanganga who is quite simply the best CB in the league. To sign him on loan from spurs was a massive coup. He didn’t play for Augsburg due to injury and change of manager but my god what a player he is. He’s struggled with injury for a few years but I think we've put him back on the shop window now and I fully expect him to be back playing PL football again soon. We also managed to get in Michael Obafemi on loan from Burnley. Again, someone who struggled with injury but has good championship pedigree. He’s improved us further up the pitch with pace, power and an eye for goal. We also signed prospect Adam Mayor from Morecambe who had been putting up good numbers in League Two. So looking back, we actually had a really good window.
What do we need? Well we’re almost certainly going to lose Tanganga and Obafemi back to their parents clubs and that will leave a huge hole at CB and CF. We’re also going to have a high turnover of players out of contract as I mentioned, so this summer is massive for us. How many do we need? Too many!
What are your thoughts on manager Neil Harris?
Harris is a legend. He knew what was needed to get us safe. The squad would have been shot in terms of confidence after Edwards and he’s picked the players up tremendously. Do I think he’s the long term answer? I don’t know. He got an 18 month deal so I do think he deserves to start next season as Millwall manager, absolutely.
Who would you say is your best player?
Well you’d have to say Zian Flemming. He was our top goalscorer last year, subject to rumours in the summer of 10m+ bids from Burnley and is the Lions' top scorer this season. A strong mention for Tanganga, who will most definitely be playing in the Premier League again soon if he stays injury free.
Which Sunderland player are you most worried about?
I know he’s been injured and no surprises here with my answer but I’ve always liked Jack Clarke. He’s a player I’ve always felt is destined to play top-flight football.
Are you confident of getting something out of the game with you winning two games in a row recently?
With four draws in the last five games and only one win in six, I’m anticipating another tight game, so I’d take a point now. Sunderland is always a tough place to come, so if you offered me a point, I’d take it and be delighted with it pretty much guaranteeing Championship survival!
