FULL-TIME: Bristol City 1, Millwall 1
Bristol City's midas touch in front of goal deserted them as Millwall were allowed to escape Ashton Gate with a draw last night.
Prolific in front of their own fans this season, the Robins looked set to take all three points when Steven Davies put them ahead with a remarkable headed goal from all of 30 yards midway through the first half.
But City, without a clean sheet to their name this season, were unable to maintain their slender advantage and Darius Henderson equalised with a powerful header shortly before half time.
Determined to return to winning ways at home after losing their last two Championship games in BS3, the Robins piled forward after the break to force the Lions onto the back foot.
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Despite dominating possession for long periods and creating a plethora of chances, Derek McInnes's hitherto free-scoring team was unable to force a winner.
The best of the second-half chances fell to flying winger Albert Adomah and Davies, who both shot off-target from close-in with only Millwall keeper David Forde to beat.
City had scored 13 goals in four previous home games in the Championship this season and made their intentions clear from the outset, almost going ahead after three minutes. Sam Baldock's low centre was only half cleared by Lions skipper Danny Shittu and Stephen Pearson, invited to try his luck from the edge of the penalty area, steered his shot inches wide.
Making his first start since signing from Derby County, Davies was narrowly off target with an in-swinging free kick and then had a snap shot saved by keeper Forde as City continued to pour forward.
But for all their attacking prowess, the Robins remain fallible at the other end of the pitch and Millwall should have been in front when Scott Malone fed the ebullient Henderson, who out-muscled Mark Wilson only to shoot wide with the goal at his mercy.
A focal point in the final third, Davies continued to be at the heart of City's best moments and he displayed a refreshing willingness to shoot on sight, curling another left-footed effort just over Forde's bar.
When opportunity next came knocking, the Liverpudlian made no mistake to give the home side the lead in bizarre circumstances.
When Baldock was put clean through in the 28th minute, Lions keeper Forde took evasive action, rushing from his line to execute a headed clearance on the edge of the 18 yard box. But he had not bargained on Davies meeting his header with one of his own and, hopelessly out of his ground, the keeper looked on in consternation as the ball sailed back over his head and into an unprotected net.
But the lead proved short-lived, City's defensive weaknesses resurfacing to hand the Londoners an equaliser six minutes before the break. While there was no doubting the quality of James Henry's delivery from the right flank, Robins centre-backs Liam Fontaine and Lewin Nyatanga could have done more to prevent the towering Henderson from beating Tom Heaton with a free header from six yards out.
City should have been level seven minutes into the second half, Davies heading Neil Kilkenny's teasing cross into the path of Adomah, who somehow contrived to send his shot over the bar from close range.
Davies was next to squander a clear-cut chance, bursting through on goal following incisive approach play from Pearson and Skuse, only to guide his shot wide when hitting the target represented the minimum requirement.
McInnes sent on Martyn Woolford and Ryan Taylor in a bid to force a late winner, but Millwall held out comfortably in the end and might even have won the game at the death.
Certainly, City hearts were in mouths when Henderson burst between Foster and Nyatanga to unleash a shot that flew agonisingly wide.
City (4-4-2): Heaton; M Wilson, Fontaine, Nyatanga, Foster; Adomah, Skuse, Kilkenny (Woolford 70), Pearson; Davies (Taylor 70), Baldock (pITMAN 84). Subs: Woolford, Taylor, J Wilson, Pitman, Carey, Morris, Gerken (gk).
Millwall (4-4-2): Forde; Dunne, Shittu, Lowry, Smith; Malone (C Taylor 84), Trotter, Abdou, Henry; Henderson, Wood (Keogh 68).
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northants)
Attendance: 12,010
Comments
by Wurzelm
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:55PM
“Here's one for the Archives....Redferryman....I agree with everything you've said !
Last nights display for me lacked passion, conviction and a will to win. We took the lead then sat back to deep reminiscent of the Millen days. Fontaine continued to dissapoint and the Midfield of Pearson and Kilkenny was shocking.
I won't have a pop at Pearson as he's been consistent since his arrival from Derby in January but Kilkenny is no better than Lee Johnson, another player I couldn't see what all the hype was about. Negative side to side balls, constant passing back to Heaton who time after time smashed the ball onto Shittu's head, what contribution did Kilkenny make?
Baldock, Adomah, Davies and Foster gave a good account of themselves but as for the rest, quite frankly need to wake up. Unless DMAC gets a handle on the weakest City defence I've seen in 20 years, and puts more steel and bite into Midfield, I see nothing other than another relgation battle this year. We started with promise too but that will count for nothing come the end if we do not sort out these school boy errors.
DMAC is the man to lead us forward but last night I had to question the midfield selection. Why did he bring in Morris?
Very dissapointing !!”
by Bathonian1
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 11:29AM
“If I could sum up last night's game in one word it would have to be 'slow'. I won't harp on about the defence as it is clear from all the previous posts that all City fans know this is an issue that urgently needs addressing.
The feeling I left with yesterday was one of City being a big game team, previous to Millwall they played top 8 teams consecutively and despite losing they at least look industrious and up for the games. Last night they just appeared sluggish and with no game plan, and I will back this up with one example from the game - approx 75mins City get a central free-kick just inside the Millwall half, Fontaine, Nyatanga and Pearson (tall players) all go to the right hand side of the box leaving just Baldock and Shittu (the Millwall beast) on the left hand side of the box so where does the free-kick get purposefully kicked? – Think we all know where I'm going with this – absolutely no common sense or very poor game plan!
One last thing, those who read my posts will know I am a general supporter - I follow a couple of times but mainly watch City as local - so as my overall knowledge of City is not great so can someone tell me why Woolford is once again assigned to the bench? He was the flavour of the month in September, couldn't do anything wrong - has he lost his form again?
And good-old Kilkenny, where do you start, he will make an amazing manager one day - if only he played as much as he talks and shouts throughout the game! He would be the next Messi. I watched him many times at Leeds and he was exactly the same, he would actually be a good player if the manager just told him to close his mouth and concentrate on actually playing!
I'll finish by saying you have to feel for Baldock! Going back to my game plan comment – whose bright idea was it to hit continual high balls to Baldock (who is small in comparison to most defenders) who was being marked by ****u, it was a David and Goliath contest – with a Goliath win this time around. lol”
by rocketbob
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 10:51AM
“Whilst agree wholeheartedly with the comments regarding the Central Defenders.
We have now conceded two almost identical goals when Pearson failed to support the full back allowing accurate centres into the box,
Whilst the back four are lacking confidence extra help is needed by the midfield.
Skuse and Adomah are doing it but the rest, especially the left sided players are not defending well.”
by Casualbutcher
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 10:07AM
“I also got a barrage of red arrows yesterday. In my view - Foster, James Wilson and Nyatanga are not up to Championship standard. Fontaine is capable at Championship level, but needs a leader alongside him for direction ie. Carey. Of course, we cannot continue to utilise Carey all season.
I would get on the phone to Reading and try and bring in Ian Harte at left back- not in the current matchday squad, but proved very capable in the championship last season. We all know the central defensive candidates!”
by BinRelegated
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:20AM
“RFM,I have been banging on about our defence for about two seasons and always get red arrows but the proof is there for all to see and no many others are starting to realise. It needs addressing and that starts with dropping Fontain who was at fault again last night. No wonder Henderson loves playing against us, its all too easy.
However, i dont think RedNem said "attack starts from defence". I think he said "the best form of defence is attack" and I dont agree with that and never have. The best form of defence is defence and you cant do it "on the cheap". Thats why you see the more successful teams invest heavily in solid defenders time and time again.
Im sure DMac will get it sorted eventually but is not buying in just for the sake of it. However, i dont actually think that he is using the best of whats at his disposal already.”
by Marksy
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:09AM
“by redferryman1Wednesday
And i made the comment yesterday that Darius Henderson would pose a threat. He wasn't that good but we gave him a free header inside the box ! Until we short the deference out all championship sides are going to cause us problems, that's for sure.”
by redferryman1
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 8:49AM
“I made the comment yesterday, before the Millwall game, that the Fontaine-Nyatanga partnership continues to be our Achilles Heel, and I received 'red arrows' of disapproval from other web-users.
Well, regrettably, I feel vindicated that the weaknesses of these two players came back to haunt us again last night. We have all known since this time last year the need to shore-up this leaky defence. The post-mortems following recents game bemoaning our failures to a keep sheet has now become a serious flaw in our ability to remain in the top-half of the table: We appear to be scoring freely, but conceding too readily (and we are being 'found-out' by opponents too easily).
RedNemesis_1 made the comment yesterday that "attack starts from defence", and he, too, received red arrows. But he is absolutely right. Success comes from having a sound defence. We seem to have addressed the problems of our attacking options over the summer months, but it is apparent our greater priorities should have been the defence in terms of paying-out 'top dollar' for a couple of quality defenders.”