Top of the League for a reason

Ifill: Return to The Den

Paul Ifill was booed every time he touched the ball on his return to the Den on Tuesday night and it seemed to effect his game. The ex-lions midfielder seemed out of his stride and the scoreline could have been allot worse had he turned on the magic that he often did while playing in a Lions shirt.

However, when Ifill was substituted on 75 minutes there was a ripple of applause as some of the Millwall faithful showed their appreciation for Ifill's services to the club.

But the attention Ifill got was shadowed by the 4-0 scoreline which was inflicted by the overpowering Sheffield Utd.

Colin Lee spoke after the match and commented: "I think we started off OK and our football was pretty good in the first part of the game to be fair.

"I was disappointed with their first two goals though. We said that they were dangerous from set plays and we worked on that this afternoon, but weren't able to do it in the game. It was difficult to get back into at 2-0 down when you look at the team we had available, particularly with our two strikers missing." he added.

"We tried to do the best we could with the players available, but the difference between the teams was that they could play two different strikers and in fairness we found it difficult to contain them. When they changed their shape and put three up front we found it even more difficult. We haven't got that luxury or strength in depth in our squad."

However United manager Neil Warnock thought that the Lions were all over the Blades for the first twenty minutes and even had a glorious chance to take the lead when Phil Ifil broke through only to scuff his shot.

Warnock told the Sheffield United website: "What pleased me tonight more than anything is that for the first 20 minutes they battered us.

"People say it was an easy result for us, and it may have been in the end, but we mustn't forget the first 20 minutes and remember that if they had scored a goal first it would have been extremely difficult for us," he said.

"I thought you could see the confidence Millwall had with the seven games undefeated, and we had to change tactics. You are only as good as your strikers and Colin was unfortunate to lose Asaba and Hayles. We rested two lads and brought Pericard and Webber in. I thought Pericard was superb tonight. It's not easy playing against Ady Williams and Matt Lawrence," he continued.

"We had to graft. I think anyone watching that game would have wondered who was top of the League after the first 20 minutes, but that's why we are. We had a difficult period, grafted and then came up with the goals to change the game."

After Paul Ifill's return, Millwall only have to wait until Saturday to come face to face with ex-manager Dennis Wise when Southampton come to the Den.