Intriguing reading these comments from Millwall fans ahead of facing Newcastle United tonight.
An 8pm kick-off with the prize a place in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
As always, it is a case of guess the starting elevens as league and cup priorities clash.
With a hefty injury list, former Sunderland manager Alex Neil has added complications with Millwall.
Tuesday night with be the first time in more than 33 years that the two teams have met.
Millwall restricted Newcastle United fans to the bare minimum of 10% capacity as per competition rules, so only just over two thousand tickets for the away fans.
Millwall fans commenting ahead of facing Newcastle United today via their North Stand Banter message board:
‘(Monday) Looks like around 8-9,000 sold to me. Perhaps £20 instead of £30 might have helped, even £15 to ST and members.’
‘Will probably shift a few today/tomorrow and on the night, but f… it this could be one of those old skool feeling nights with just the hardcore fan base. It wasn’t long ago that 9/10k was our average home gate.’
‘The hardcore crowds are the best ones imo.
I remember just 6,000 Wall for a early round League Cup game v Birmingham City and the atmosphere was electric, as it was the first meeting since the riot.’
‘I took one of my son in laws, ( a scouser, I know, I know, not my fault ) to a couple of games, leeds and Charlton, he said the only time Liverpool get that kind of atmosphere is at the European home games.’
‘(Monday night) Few more been sold, I’d hazard a guess at 11,000. Such a pity we don’t have a fully fit squad to have a go at them, I think that has knocked a few of the crowd.’
‘I’m in a minority here, but I’m bang up for this. I awoke this morning thinking about the Liverpool league cup game, which must have been, what – 20 years ago? There was a superb atmosphere in The Den that night, more than a little malevolent. I remember theirs having a Scouse sense of humour failure, jumping the hoardings onto the pitch but coming to a stop when they were within striking distance of the West Lower… “Er…. Maybe not” they must’ve thought.
I think it’s a great shame that people are not that bothered about this match; I understand it, but even so it’s sad, as I think it shows the changing face of football. Everything seems to be in pursuit of money and only money represents ultimate success, and in that pursuit I think we have lost the pursuit of the simple romanticism and glory of a cup night.’
‘The prize of winning, 4th round of the League cup, doesn’t compare to beating vermin or even just 3 league points. Still think we will put up a fight to start with but we are playing against the club with, by far, the wealthiest owners in football, as illegal as they may be, it has a feel of an uncompetitive nature.’
‘The money men have changed the face of football. Newcastle United will field their reserves. So will we. Why should people bother to give up their time and money.
Newcastle United are a big club. But not enough of a big name to compensate for playing a reserve team.
Fans have wised up. Money men have made most games damp squibs now. They’ve sucked the joy out of the game. If this was 1996 and Millwall were averaging 19,000 in the league, this game and it’s context would have seen it sold out in a day. Because we would know that Newcastle would play a strong side, their fans would be boisterous and noisy.
Fast forward to 2026.. it’ll be mostly late middle-aged men in the away end, as only they’ll have enough loyalty points to get a ticket. If young lads do come, they’ll just be idiots with rubbish haircuts and man bags. The Geordies will play a reserve side. We have to play a reserve side.
I’m hope I’m wrong and we can give them a game and it’ll be like the old days with a proper old school atmosphere… I think hardcore Wall crowds are better anyway.’
‘Could be stronger than their reserves, they don’t play again until Monday night so don’t need to rest anyone.’
‘But in the past we never had to guess. That’s my point. I remember watching Millwall in a great two-leg battle with Arsenal in the League Cup in the early 90s.’
‘What’s it to be? Go at them with the best we can put together or treat it as a friendly and not risk another injury?
I think the fact that the ground will only be just over half full tells the story, wouldn’t bother me if some U21’s get a taste of first team action as it is our 3rd midweek fixture in a row and have another one to come next week.
It’s too early on in the cup to matter and personally I lost all respect for their lot when they accepted the illegal saudi scum ownership in order to wallow in all their money.’
‘First game I can remember since last game of the 87/88 season where I’am not bothered about the result.’
‘Bit of a non event what with our injuries and the fact they’ll probably play mostly reserves too.’
‘Could well do without this.’
‘Let the kids have a game and don’t worry about the result.’
‘I think the club have overestimated the appeal of Newcastle United reserves.’
‘Lions 2 Geordies 4.’
‘Wall 2-0. I don’t know how this can happen but I always pick Wall to win – – and I’m sticking with it.’
‘There is much to consider before making bold assumptions about the attitude from both clubs towards this game.
For them they are playing an injury ravaged side for the right to progress to the fourth round of the Cobblers Cup. It could be their only realistic chance of silverware this season which would be a major achievement for their new boss. They are a PL side with strength in depth, a former International keeper who was on the bench on Saturday plus some quality others who were also on the bench v Bournemouth. Most of the cards are in their favour.’
‘My head tells me that we should play a weaker team. What we don’t need is any more injuries or red cards. That could derail the whole season before it has started. While my heart tells me to go all out…’
‘Play the U21’s – If we get beat 10-0 then so be it.
No injuries or suspensions is a result in itself.’