Oppos View – Millwall

A bit about you:

Name: Bob Asprey

Current home town: Now living in Aylesbury

Birthplace: Sidcup

How long have you supported your team? Since 12th April 1966 when we beat Bournemouth 1-0.  This was during the run of 59 home matches unbeaten, which took us from the old 4th Division to the 2nd.

Overview of your club:

Favourite thing about your home ground: Not surprisingly many fans miss our old ground, I’m sure it’s the same at Leicester.  Best thing about our ‘new’ place (it’s 19 years old now) is that it’s not a sexy warm surroundsound arena like yours and many others.  It’s stark utilitarian and cold, just how we like it.

Favourite match played by your team & why: This has to be the FA Cup Semi Final v Sunderland at Old Trafford in 2004.  The greatest moment in our history, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, not at our end anyway.  We’d been in three FA Cup semi finals before, all before the war, and lost them all.  The 2004 final itself was a great day out, but was like a trip to the FA circus compared with the raw emotion of the semi.  Look how far we’ve fallen in four years.

Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Harry Cripps.  Not the best or most talented of players but his big heart and uncompromising style epitomized the club and he became a Millwall legend in the sixties and seventies.  Not far behind Harry is Barry Kitchener, who played a record 602 times for the Lions between 1967 and 1982.  This gentle giant tragically passed away suddenly just two weeks ago.  Honourable mentions go to Keith Weller, we taught him everything he knew, and Steve Claridge, the type of 100 per center loved by fans everywhere.  Which is where he played.

About our forthcoming match against you:

Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Jimi Abdou.  A little tiger who terrorizes the middle of the park.  Great tackler, great engine.  What he lacks in height and attacking ability he makes up for in heart, stamina and pace.

Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Andy Keogh arrived on January deadline day and is proving a handful for Championship defences despite his slight physique.  It’s no coincidence that the much needed improvement of performances and results has occurred since then.

Player in our squad you most fear and why? Unfortunately, David Nugent has a very good record against us, wherever he’s played.  The same cannot be said about Schmeichel or Beckford, so we’ll see.  Famous last words!

Up and coming prospect in your squad? The outstanding performer is Spurs loanee Harry Kane, a very talented 19 year-old but unfortunately not ours.

Where do you think you’ll finish this season? Don’t really care as long as it’s 21st or above.  We are currently 17th and almost safe but if we maintain current form we could finish above palace which would  be good.  But not as good as west ham not going up.

How do you think you’ll do against us? Current form suggests we should do ok.  We both have something to play for, and you lot will be looking for a bit of revenge after your debacle at the King Power Stadium.  Looks like a 1-1 draw.

Any other comments? Don’t bring your drum.  Don’t even think of not beating west ham if you make the playoffs.