Back from the game

[shurlock]

Just back.

Meh game - draw was just about a fair result, though we sat back too much in the 2nd and allowed Millwall to come on to us. They were very poor in the final third, so despite their possession, I thought we would nick it. In the end, it took a very poor goal to level things - we were probably guilty of ball watching and shouldn't have given Henderson the time to take the ball down the way he did.

Some positives - above all, Punch was excellent. Was easily our most threatening player. It was a nice change to see one of our players drive forward in possession from deepish positions. Tracked back tirelessly and if he continues this form, he'll be the best addition we make this January. But we've here before, with Punch starting brightly and then tailing off. The boos at the end were from Millwall; he got a standing ovation from our lot.

Reeves was also excellent - always playing with his head up, looking for a forward pass. At the moment, he's the one most likely to make the grade. Similarly, Martin was very good - we survived a few scares in the first five mins -in part due to miscommunication between Martin and Fox as to who was picking up Henderson; but after we settled down, he was pretty commanding in the air. Henderson still caused trouble but none of his headers were cleanly wonf and Fox was able to sweep up the second ball. If the lad's distribution was better, he could do very well.

Less convincing were Barney and De Ridder. Barney's first touch was very heavy and he was outfought in the air; while De Ridder never looked like he would beat his man (granted both haven't played for a while). I understand SDR was taken off for precautionary reasons; but I would have taken him off anyway. Holmes should have done better with our one real chance in the 2nd half - instead of going it alone, he should have played the ball into the box earlier and indeed, when the ball returned to him, he should have buried the header.

Tadanari didn't really have an opportunity to impress - he made some nice angled runs off the ball but the ball was not passed early enough or played on the wrong side. Towards the end, he was effectively playing as a lone forward, as the ball was being cleared and pumped back in. Won a couple of headers; but at times was brushed off the ball. Can think of easier debuts than Millwall away when the home side is chasing.

Anyway, no complaints - am relatively pleased. We more than coped with a full strength Millwall side and we're in the hat for the next round. Ordinarily, I wouldn't want a replay but with so many players returning/coming in, its a risk-free opportunity to blood them in.

[saints-cris]

Agree with most of that.

Martin was great today, definately MOM. I thought in general, with a pretty makeshift team a draw was fair. Even the first teamers who were playing were getting back to fitness. Of those who were first team, who have bene playing and were in their natural position, I only counted Richardson and Hammond.

Reeves looked nice and tidy but definately felt he got a bit muscled about. No complaints though, he is a young guy and that side of his game will come.

Puncheon played exactly like I wanted him too. A real team performance from him. Tracked back lots, good forward passing, clever runs and he has such good ball control. He really is like a new signing, I hope he keeps it up. Generally a good reception for him.

Happy with what I saw of Lee. He looks like he has some good pace on him and some clever runs. Definately looked like he is worth signing.

Millwall are not a great side, have seen them a couple times this season. We will beat them at our place and definately at their place with a full team in a few weeks away.

[Scarface]

Agree with that, defence looked shaky first half but Martin really impressed and took the lead as the leader in that makeshift defence.

Barnard was woeful, and SDR was not at the races.

Reeves looked tidy

Hammond was poor in my opinion didn't really boss it in midfield

If milwall could finish would have been a different story, they were rubbish going forward

All in all can't begrudge a draw

[shurlock]

Agree with that, defence looked shaky first half but Martin really impressed and took the lead as the leader in that makeshift defence.

Barnard was woeful, and SDR was not at the races.

Reeves looked tidy

Hammond was poor in my opinion didn't really boss it in midfield

If milwall could finish would have been a different story, they were rubbish going forward

All in all can't begrudge a draw

Agree- Hammond wasn't very good, though Millwall ended up bypassing the midfield with the long ball.

That Hammond played suggests Cork and Morgan will be starting Tues.

[Dr Who?]

Draws in cup games always seem a bit meh. It means nothing!!

[saints-cris]

Draws in cup games always seem a bit meh. It means nothing!!

In the hat for next round.. if we get a good tie then that should be incentive to push on

[S-Clarke]

Draws in cup games always seem a bit meh. It means nothing!!

When the replay is at home and you're in the draw, I think it's a decent result! Millwall should be the ones kicking themselves at a lost oppertunity IMO, based on the amount of play they had.

[Monk]

Not much mentioned about Bart? Judging by the mdt he was excellent?

[The Cat]

Yeah Bart did what he had to do well. Most of Millwall's shots were off target.

Agree with pretty much everything said above. Martin was my man of the match.

[shurlock]

Not much mentioned about Bart? Judging by the mdt he was excellent?

He didnt have that much to do - of the shots he saved, most were hit straight at him. Still he got behind them comfortably enough. Millwall got into plenty of crossing positions but were very wasteful.

[Dr Who?]

When the replay is at home and you're in the draw, I think it's a decent result! Millwall should be the ones kicking themselves at a lost oppertunity IMO, based on the amount of play they had.

Not really seen this in Saints history in the cup. Around the late 80's early 90's I can remember the following off the top of my head.

Draw at derby, lost the replay at home
Drew with Luton lost the replay or second leg at home
Drew with Stockport lost the replay at home
Drew with Bournemouth lost the second leg at home.
Drew with Fulham away, lost at home.

Alway seemed that we had done the hard part only to screw up the replay or the second leg depending on the competition. Thought it used to be a metal thing, and as a fan I used to fall for it as well. Still do think the hard part is done!

Then two of the reverse side of this that spring to mind are.

Drew with Man U at home when mark Hughes scored for them right at the end at the Dell after Shearer looked like he gave us the winner. Was a late goal as well, but really did think that was it. Went to OT and won on pens.

Millwall FA Cup 2003. We levelled late on at SMS but won the tricky replay away.... The rest is history.

These are just games that stick out for me!

We should go through to the 5th round SHOULD.... But should have beat Bristol City!!

[Dr Who?]

In the hat for next round.. if we get a good tie then that should be incentive to push on

Yeah it is good to be in the hat, but I thought we were going to be until 4 minutes from the end. What I mean, when you go to a cup game, it is not like an away point, it is right lets start all over again. Like when cup finals used to have a replay, all that money but no result!

Looking forward to Stevenage away.

[supersonic]

How did Luke Shaw play in his short time on pitch?

[MOSaint.]

Got to agree with most things said here too, Martin was my mom to, Punch played well also though Harding had a decent game

[supersonic]

Got to agree with most things said here too, Martin was my mom to, Punch played well also though Harding had a decent game

Now there's a medical miracle!

[SaintNeil90]

Thought we were pretty unconvincing today. If Millwall could finish we would have looked awful. We didnt look like we wanted to win today, there was no enthusiasm or energy. It was a very lethargic performance. At one stage, Bart had picked up the ball from a cross and instead of people facing him and asking for the ball they all turned their backs and started walking up the pitch, there was no urgency.

Ben Reeves impressed me alot, very good touch and control of the ball and a great pass to Harding for our goal.

As others have said, Martin was fantastic and easily our man of the match.

Bart was good, didn't look nervous but I felt Hendersons shot for their goal was weak and he didn't even attempt to save it, he just watched it go past him. I think Davis would have saved it.

Tadanari is great at making space for himself and very quick but never really got hold of the ball today. The fancy flick he did when we needed to keep possession and try to get a winner was a bit annoying though... great when we are playing well but not it that situation.

Think Puncheon will be good when he regains his match fitness... he was getting stuck in and was best player for us after Martin.

[saints-cris]

How did Luke Shaw play in his short time on pitch?

Barely touched the ball to be honest. Was on the left wing.

[Doctoroncall]

He didnt have that much to do - of the shots he saved, most were hit straight at him. Still he got behind them comfortably enough. Millwall got into plenty of crossing positions but were very wasteful.

That was a problem against Blackpool! Who was his ball distribution, communication, etc? Back to the old Bart?

[saints-cris]

That was a problem against Blackpool! Who was his ball distribution, communication, etc? Back to the old Bart?

Faultless to be fair, collected all crosses well, held the shots well, rolled the ball out whenever he got the chance. Felt very comfortable with him, and for his sake Im glad he seems to have some confidence back.

[Dr Who?]

Faultless to be fair, collected all crosses well, held the shots well, rolled the ball out whenever he got the chance. Felt very comfortable with him, and for his sake Im glad he seems to have some confidence back.

Good management?

[ericofarabia]

Not really seen this in Saints history in the cup. Around the late 80's early 90's I can remember the following off the top of my head.

Then two of the reverse side of this that spring to mind are.

Drew with Man U at home when mark Hughes scored for them right at the end at the Dell after Shearer looked like he gave us the winner. Was a late goal as well, but really did think that was it. Went to OT and won on pens.

Millwall FA Cup 2003. We levelled late on at SMS but won the tricky replay away.... The rest is history. !

Hughie Fisher last minute equaliser V Aston Villa at The Dell 3rd Round 1976 ....... THE REST REALLY IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND WONDERFUL HISTORY!!