Archived News from October 2005
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MILLWALL PREVIEW
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Stags aiming for Championship hat-trick
CHAD, 24 October 2005 STAGS will probably remain unchanged tomorrow as they look for a Championship Carling Cup hat-trick with the visit of Millwall to Field Mill (7.45pm). Mansfield will be looking to build on Saturday's sparkling 4-0 win over Barnet, having already seen off Championship clubs Stoke City and Southampton. But caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff warned Millwall, despite being bottom of the table, could be a different proposition "We have one or two knocks from Saturday but we are hopeful they will all be fit in time to play," said Shirtliff. "Jason Talbot has been given the all-clear after his concussion and trained today. Gus Uhlenbeek had a dead leg after Saturday and Giles Coke had studs down the inside of his leg which were sore. "But they should be OK and I don't want to make changes if I can help it. If it's not broke then don't fix it." But he added; "Let's not forget we are the underdogs tomorrow. "Even though Millwall are struggling they still play two leagues higher than us and have some very good players. "They do have a few players on loan. Yet, whoever steps in, they will be Championship quality players. "It will be very difficult for us. But we have nothing to lose and can go out there and are not expected to win. "Southampton did put out a lot of second string players against us, albeit very good ones. Millwall will probably put largely a first team out. "We can give them a game if we are at our best and competing. I am just looking for a competitive performance to take into Saturday's League game. Anything else is a bonus for us. "Maybe playing against these sides from a higher division gives our lads a bit more room to play and it's not quite as frenetic as it is in our league. "The crowd can help if they get behind us like they did in the last two rounds and are starting to in the League as well. It makes a big difference to us." Shirtliff is delighted Manchester City have agreed to allow on-loan midfielder Jonathan D'Laryea to play and become cup-tied. Millwall have drawn four and then lost twice in their last six matches, scoring just three times in those games. --------------- http://www.millwall-mad.co.uk Four out as Lions face Stags Millwall will without four first-team players for tonight's Carling Cup game against Mansfield Town. On-loan signings Ady Williams and Jermaine Wright are both cup tied while full back Phil Ifil sits the game out after being sent off against Southampton at the weekend. The Lions will also be without left-back Jamie Vincent who limped off in the same game with a hamstring injury. Looking ahead to the game, manager Colin Lee knows he'll have to cut his cloth accordingly. "We've such a small squad - and life is even more difficult for us when we can't get our strongest team on the pitch. "Mansfield have won their last match 4-0 and knocked out Southampton in the previous round, so it will be a very difficult game for us." |
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