Millwall 0-1 Blues

Starting XI

Two changes. George Friend and Jobe Bellingham replace Auston Trusty (ill) and George Hall (hamstring). Alfie Chang also misses out. Emmanuel Longelo and Jordan Graham step onto the bench.

Game

Blues started on the front foot and were excellent for about half hour.

We picked the pocket of Millwall twice early on, but Bacuna couldn't find the head of Jutkiewicz before Chong was fouled by Cooper but no free-kick or penalty awarded with the Dutchman through on goal. It was the hosts that had the first big chance Saville shouldering the ball over the bar. Khadra later fired wide of Long's near post.

Blues took the lead on 28 minutes. Bellingham, making his second ever league start, played a 1-2 before turning and locating the German, who changed the speed of the attack by seeing off McNamara and bursting into open space. With four Millwall bodies closing in, he slipped Jutkiewicz in behind. The Blues number 10 used his right Boot to round Cooper and Long before an effort from a tight angle squirmed in via a Long deflection.

A couple of stoppages after the goal did little to help Blues. Flemming saw a dipping free-kick tipped over by Ruddy before Cooper fired a loose ball wide. That proved too much for Ruddy, who had been down twice, and Etheridge was forced to replace him, a first league appearance of the season. Cooper headed a back-post corner wide before the half ended with Malone and Voglslammer firing over.

Blues almost had the perfect start to the second half, the kick off played backwards, Roberts' punt finding the head of Jutkiewicz and his knockdown fell kindly for Khadra, whose effort deflected over the bar. Khadra was greedy and fired wide after Voglslammer had an effort saved.

It was all Millwall then on. Flemming couldn't generate power with a header. A corner deflected kindly for Etheridge. Malone fired over. A couple of miskicks found their way to Burke, who was denied by an excellent low save by Etheridge. The winger was in again a few minutes later but couldn't put enough curl on his effort.

Having made the earlier stop, Etheridge made a match-winning double save with ten to play, first spilling an awkward effort from distance before springing out to block Bradshaw.

A triple sub was having the desired effect for Blues who were starting to play football again. We ought to have punished Millwall's profligacy but Hogan's touch was too heavy effort after breaking through on goal and a minute later, Bacuna was too greedy, shooting from 20 yards with Hogan in space.

Tactics

Blues 4-2-3-1. Millwall 4-2-3-1.

This was as basic as it got in tactical terms. Both sides wanted to be compact, press as a unit and turn the opposition before playing.

Blues set up the same they had in the last couple of games. 4-2-3-1. Wingers on the touchline. Defenders tasked with playing either into wide areas or into Jutkiewicz, the latter so that we could play for seconds and get the ball into Chong or Khadra.

Millwall were slightly more "on the floor" with their approach, pushing the full-backs on, the two defensive midfielders taking possession off defence to help build passing angles and the ball usually switched out wide or punted forward for a runner in behind or so they could play for the seconds in midfield.

The compact nature of the pressing required midfields on both sides to be brave and step up the pitch. However, Roberts and Long and Hutchinson and Cooper had little intention of being found out over the top, so space was available for attacking midfielders to be found in space when defences were brave enough. That wasn't often.

Neither side changed approach and subs were like-for-like in position.

Players

Yet again, I'm praising Marc Roberts and Kevin Long. Solid. Won their battles, defended their box.

Credit to Neil Etheridge, who has had to bide his time but showcased his talent. Not just a couple of big saves but also didn't make a mistake defending a set piece.

George Friend stepped in to cover Auston Trusty, who was ill, and after a shoddy start, was excellent. Experience came into play defensively.

Finally, Jobe Bellingham. Did very little wrong with the ball and his composure helped set up the goal. Just about physical development now - adding a burst of acceleration and more balance to his game so he can play and close down quicker.

For Millwall, Billy Mitchell and George Saville stood out. Two midfielders who didn't shirk a battle all night and never shied away from the ball.

Anything else?

Knowledge of The Den.

Lukas Jutkiewicz has been there a number of times. When substituted, he knew his safest route was the dugout and was unhappy the referee made him walk round the pitch past the Millwall fans.

Hannibal Mejbri was making his first appearance and decided to try and insight a riot. Firstly, he geed up Blues fans after winning a corner. With a minute of injury time to go, he won a free kick 10 yards inside his own half and went off again. Millwall fans didn't like it, so he gave it back to them as well. Even Billy Mitchell took it upon himself to have a quiet word in Hannibal's ear and ask him to calm down.

Wrapping it up...

So much for being on the beach.

It would have been easy to drop levels tonight. But this group are made of stern stuff.

Maxime Colin didn't train yesterday. Lukas Jutkiewicz pulled his calf. George Friend found out at 6pm he was starting due to Auston Trusty being ill. The game was being played at a high intensity early on and Blues players were having to stand up for themselves, Ruddy hurting his quad, Jutkiewicz taking a whack and Chong busting his nose. Ruddy was forced off.

But they stood up for themselves, which is all you can ask. It was enjoyable, the type of victory our fans love. We got the goal, defended for our lives and got out with the three points.

We don't have anything to play for but pride and yet this lot did themselves, their gaffer and fans proud tonight.

Highest point tally since Gary Rowett was in charge too. Some effort.

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