No goals in 20 starts and then a hat-trick

By Ian Toal on January 3, 2008 12:00 AM |

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THE sheer number of games played over the festive period gives clubs a great opportunity to embark on a winning run and dramatically move themselves up the table.
This is when the tables really begin to take shape and gaps can start opening up between teams in terms of points. That is why it was important that Millwall responded to a poor outing at Walsall where they lost 3-0 to follow up with two important home wins: 3-0 versus Brighton on Boxing Day and 2-0 against Crewe three days later.
One of the most pleasing, if slightly unexpected, aspects of the Brighton match was seeing Gary Alexander not only score his first goal of the season but then go on and get a hat-trick.

Given that he had previously gone 1,699 minutes from 20 starts without scoring, to come away with the match ball he must have been on top of the world!
Such is life as a Millwall player, unfortunately, that he was brought down to earth with a bump in the Crewe match when he had to be substituted early on after having his nose broken in the cause.
Fans' favourite and fellow striker, Neil Harris, had a similar misfortune in the Crewe match when he limped off injured in the same game in which he had notched his first goal of the season.
The injury crisis at The Den certainly does not seem to be easing.
That is why the supporters recognise that January is a key month for us. We have to try to extend our loan signings that are due back at their clubs then and also get in a player or two permanently, otherwise we will be struggling to put out 11 players for matches.
The defeat at Walsall showed what happens at away matches when you put out weakened teams.
With five away matches and just one home game in January we desperately need to strengthen the squad quickly to cover the injuries to avoid slipping back into the relegation zone.
Looking back at 2007, it was a mixed year with a great run towards the end of the last season lifting us out of the relegation places to the fringes of the play-offs under the stewardship of Willie Donachie.
We lost a lot of players in the summer and with all the injuries we have suffered this season the second half of 2007 was poor and ultimately cost Donachie his job.
Kenny Jackett came in, the results have improved and he seems to talk a lot of sense.
He will hopefully motivate the team on to better things in 2008.