Millwall have quietly gone about their business over the summer, but Gary Rowett could well be masterminding a serious challenge for a top-six finish in the Championship this season.
The Lions have established themselves as Championship mainstays over the previous four campaigns, twice narrowly missing out on a place in the playoffs, while last term, they produced another solid mid-table finish.
Former Stoke boss Rowett will celebrate two years in charge at The Den in October, and he has built a strong nucleus to his squad during that time, and they could now be ready to take the next step and challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
Continuity Key for Lions
It probably says a lot about the Championship, but Rowett is now the sixth longest-serving manager in the division, and he has certainly built on the solid work of his predecessor Neil Harris.
Many of the regulars in Rowett’s side have been with the club for a number of years, with seven of the squad having amassed over 100 appearances, with Millwall undoubtedly falling into the category of being a team that is greater than the sum of its parts.
It is perhaps that lack of a star name that means Millwall are often overlooked in the promotion discussion, as their odds of 7/1 make them only the 12th favourites to go up this season.
Back at The Den with a 𝗪.#Millwall
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) August 11, 2021
With the financial muscle of the likes of Fulham and West Brom in the division, it may be a bridge too far for Millwall to secure a return to the top flight for the first time since 1990, but a top-six finish at 3/1 is certainly a possibility, especially if Rowett can add one or two more players to his squad before the close of the transfer window.
More Firepower May Be Required
One area where Millwall need to improve if they are to be considered playoff contenders is in the final third, as they only averaged just over a goal a game in the Championship last season, notching a poultry 47 from their 46 matches.
Midfielder Jed Wallace provided nearly a quarter of those strikes (11), while the leading scoring striker in the squad was Mason Bennett with six.
Rowett has moved to address that issue already by signing the experienced Benik Afobe on loan from Stoke, but he has struggled for form and fitness over recent years and is priced at 50/1 to top the Championship scoring charts.
The Lions have been linked with signing highly-rated Manchester City striker Liam Delap on a season-long loan, and he would certainly add an exciting element to their attacking line, all be it an unproven one at senior level.
Tough Opening for Rowett’s Men
Millwall’s credentials for the new season are certainly set to be tested over the opening weeks of the campaign, with away trips to Cardiff, West Brom and Swansea, as well as a home clash with Fulham to come over the next month or so.
That difficult run of fixtures makes Saturday’s home clash with Blackburn look even more important, as the Lions will want to get points on the board ahead of their testing run, and they are priced at 29/20 to beat Tony Mowbray’s side.
If Millwall can emerge from their difficult run with a decent points tally, then that could set them up for the season, and they are a side that performs well against the big hitters of the division – taking points off promoted trio Norwich, Watford and Brentford last term.
It may well ultimately prove too much for Millwall to secure promotion this season, but they should once again be a competitive force in the division, which given their relative resources, must still be regarded as a success.
*All odds correct at time of writing.