Millwall are a much improved side

It's just AFCB's luck that they welcome Millwall to the Goldsands stadium when they have turned around their team and are on the back of a really good run. For Bournemouth this really is an important game following last week's home defeat. The team has shown that it can bounce back and if AFCB believe that they can do that at home they will pick up points.

While Steve Lomas looked a lost manager a few weeks ago his team have now strung three wins together on the bounce. Worryingly, they look like a team that has a new spirit and are enjoying their football. Even  Scott Malone looks more like his old self when he terrorised defences playing in red and black. Woolford in particular looks in fine form and has a keen eye for goal, and against Leeds and Charlton they managed two clean sheets.

Indeed, Millwall have some players that are capable of causing AFCB plenty of problems. Among them is Richard Chaplow who of course many of you will know from his playing days as a Saint. I found it surprising that Southampton terminated his contract in July but they are now spending enormous amounts of money in the Premiership. Millwall will certainly have some solidity with him in their side. Another player who is perhaps underestimated is Danny Shittu, the Nigerian defender who has spent several years at QPR. He was voted Millwall's player of the year least season. Finally, our defence will have to watch out for Jermaine Easter who is an accomplished number 8 that left Crystal Palace in the summer.

Millwall simply didn't turn up in the first half against Birmingham, so they will be looking for a performance against AFCB. Lomas was seething I should think losing 4:0 to Birmingham. AFCB though have a positive mind frame even though they were defeated at Leeds in mid-week. While this will be a tight game, if the Cherries can get ahead I think their confidence will grow. We know Eddie Howe is keen on big results before the international breaks and Millwall are a team that can be inconsistent and our lads have to believe that they are better than them when playing at home.

Millwall last time out: 
Forde, Malone, Robinson, Dunne, Shittu, Trotter, Bailey, Abdo, Waghorn, Morison, Woolford

Subs:
Martin, Chaplow, Osborne, Bywater, Derry, Easter, Lowry

You can now read up on Millwall FC, the next visitors to Dean Court. Our Rival Lines feature offers a chat with Merv Payne who is a regular writer for Sabotage Times. He discusses Millwall's sudden improvement under Steve Lomas.