The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 147: Uncontrollable Millwall.

Millwall, despite trailing Newcastle United by three points, has become a strong contender for the Premier League title. The Daily Mail has dedicated a large section to analyzing Millwall's advantages, highlighting that the team has indeed developed the qualities of champions.

Out of 34 matches, Millwall only lost once away to Nottingham Forest, underscoring their stability. With the fewest goals conceded in the league (26), their offensive prowess is also noteworthy, even if their total goals scored aren't the highest. However, their goal difference reflects the balance of solid defense and effective offense.

After securing the League Cup, Millwall displayed a more dominant presence on the pitch, gaining momentum that forced most opponents to adopt a defensive strategy.

Starting in April, Millwall faced a punishing schedule with matches every few days, playing more games than Newcastle and Manchester United without much rotation of players.

Aldrich complained about the timing, thinking that if the Euro '96 hadn't taken place in England, the Premier League fixtures wouldn't have become so congested at the end of the season.

As Millwall arrived at Stamford Bridge, they were met with a chorus of boos and jeers. Chelsea continued to be the unremarkable team they had been, with championship aspirations feeling like a pipe dream and no hope of European qualification. With enough points secured for relegation safety four rounds early, they seemed to be waiting for the end of the season.

However, today's match was a London derby, and given the fierce rivalry between the two teams, Chelsea's owner, Bates, had issued strict orders: take down the Lions!

Not that Bates believed his team was necessarily required to win; he acknowledged the undeniable strength of Millwall, but he hoped Chelsea could land a blow to their title ambitions. As long as Millwall dropped points this round, it would significantly impact their championship hopes.

For Chelsea, this was the only way to chase something meaningful—after all, it's only natural to derive pleasure from seeing a rival struggle.

Bates hadn't invited Arthur to Stamford Bridge, but Arthur showed up enthusiastically anyway, even taking a seat next to Bates in the stands, leading to an obligatory exchange of pleasantries.

Their conversation amounted to little more than insults and taunts, barely resembling anything dignified.

"Bates, how about you give the champions a good laugh?"

"Why don't you get your three kids to act fucking stupid for your entertainment?"

"What'd you think if I just smashed your face in right here?"

"Think you can even waddle out of Stamford Bridge after that?"

"Wanna give it a shot?"

"Give it a shot? You'd better watch your back, you bastard! If you mess with me, I'll bring a whole crew!"

"Just smile, would you? No need to act all jumpy like I'm about to rape you."

...

Despite the difference in team strength, the match became heated due to various factors. Commentators Martin Tyler and Andy Gray kept an eye on the scores of other matches, particularly the one between Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Chelsea set out with a defensive counter-attack strategy, realizing that if they couldn't steal all three points, guarding at least one point would be enough for Millwall to face defeat.

Aldrich ignored the jeers from the crowd behind him, feeling far from happy. The players entered the match with the ferocity of tigers, ready to attack and overpower their opponents.

During the pre-game preparations, Aldrich's words had seemingly fallen on deaf ears. It wasn't that the players outright defied his instructions; once they stepped onto the field, the lure of the Premier League trophy filled their minds, and they were determined to give it their all.

The atmosphere on the field was thick with tension as Millwall players executed their quick passing game with precision, forcing Chelsea to either defend valiantly or commit fouls.

Today, Ruud Gullit, the footballing legend, wasn't in the starting lineup—his fitness and combative spirit were no longer suitable for this intense contest.

In fact, the team's spirit leader and core player hadn't become Gullit, but rather a homegrown player, Dennis Wise.

This bad boy became the main character of the day!

Why was he the "bad boy"?

Just look at his actions—within three minutes of the match, he kicked Nedved down. The referee whistled, seemingly about to show a card, but Wise made the ridiculous gesture of helping Nedved up with a smile, patting down his jersey with an almost apologetic demeanor. The referee noticed that Nedved didn't seem significantly harmed and opted for just a warning for Wise.

Seeing this, Aldrich shook his head in silent frustration.

Nedved was too good of a sport.

When a player fouls him, he would get up as soon as possible, wasting no time on the ground.

Aldrich hadn't expected a dramatic performance from Nedved, but with this kind of player, referees often wouldn't step in to protect them.

This played right into Wise's hands, as he had the talent to act innocent after committing a foul. Unlike others, such as Keane or Jones, who would go straight through fouls without a care, Wise would immediately take on a pose of regret, offering a friendly handshake after roughing someone up.

Ironically, he was also a shorter player, not particularly strong-looking, which made his aggressive fouls seem less damaging.

Understanding his background makes it clear how he developed these skills.

Produced by Wimbledon.

After Wise kicked Nedved down for the third time, Aldrich kicked a water bottle in frustration along the sideline, shouting at the fourth official, "Are you guys seriously just going to wait until one of my players breaks a leg before you act?"

The referee couldn't stand it anymore and handed Wise a yellow card. Wise feigned innocence while shaking his head vigorously, claiming the penalty was unfair.

He even gestured to the referee, saying, "Look at that Czech player! He can run and jump, and his speed hasn't slowed down at all. My foul may look aggressive, but in reality, it didn't harm him at all!"

The referee ignored Wise's protests, and the match continued.

By halftime, Chelsea had racked up five yellow cards but managed to keep the score level as they headed into the locker rooms.

During the halftime break, Aldrich noticed a heavy atmosphere in the changing room.

Everyone wanted the championship and understood they needed to win every match, and as a result, they were all tense.

Aldrich didn't focus on tactics but instead asked the physiotherapists to help the players relax their muscles. What he really wanted to shout at his players was: "Stay calm!"

But he knew nothing he said would matter.

The day before the match, he had spent over an hour discussing preparations.

Now, the players seemed consumed by the desire for victory, fixating on the trophy and nothing else.

This laser focus was throwing their formations out of balance. If Chelsea had been stronger, Millwall would have been easily countered.

The physiotherapist helped Nedved remove his socks and shin guards, revealing a considerable swelling and visible bruising on his right leg.

Aldrich approached Nedved with furrowed brows, filled with concern.

Nedved took a sip of water and confidently said, "Boss, I'm fine."

Aldrich surveyed his other players and asked, "How does everyone feel physically?"

Their sweat-soaked, exhausted faces revealed resolute determination, as they all chimed, "We're good."

Aldrich knew they were lying, but at this point, pushing hard to substitute anyone would only stir up disagreements.

When the players stepped out for the second half, Aldrich sat down, and Jenssen leaned over to him, worried. "I feel like the team is losing control! Look at Claude; he charged right through midfield as soon as he came on. They're so eager to score that they're just piling up attackers!"

Aldrich shook his head but said nothing.

This team was no longer the one from last season's Championship that needed Aldrich to constantly remind them of the tactics.

The tactical approach had matured significantly, and the confidence built up over time gave them the autonomy to play.

It was like a character from a martial arts novel; a previously unremarkable figure suddenly masters a legendary skill, believing they could dominate the martial world.

This was a necessary phase. They had grown their wings and felt they could soar freely, unaware that a mature team requires not just outstanding players, but also excellent leadership.

At this crucial stage, Aldrich feared conflicts with the players. He could only stay silent and allow those who thought they could earn the championship by simply fighting hard to do as they wished. Reasoning with them would get him nowhere.

In the second half, Dennis Wise drew a second yellow card for another foul in the 53rd minute and was sent off. Hodler on the sidelines complained to the fourth official while Aldrich remained impassive.

With Millwall now having an extra man, they only managed to score in the 80th minute of the second half.

The scene filled Aldrich with a slight sense of despair.

It was utter chaos!

Yes, the players had lost their rationale in the pursuit of victory, furiously trying to cross from the wings, taking desperate shots at goal as they piled forward; Stam, Thuram, and Zambrotta pushed deep into Chelsea's box, leaving only Elguerra to guard the backline.

The goal came from a scuffle, a shot deflected in the thick of the action.

Thuram took a shot from outside the box, which ricocheted off someone's leg inside the crowded penalty area and rolled in front of the goal, where Trezeguet swiftly poked it into Chelsea's net.

With that unimpressive, chaotic goal, Millwall eked out a win in the midst of pandemonium.

Meanwhile, both Manchester United and Newcastle United secured their victories, leaving the title race unchanged.

Aldrich outwardly praised his team's performance, claiming this victory was hard-earned by Millwall, with each player delivering a top-tier performance.

Deep down, he wanted to scold the team bitterly but couldn't.

Aside from that chaotic, lucky goal, Millwall's overall display was disastrous—there was a significant imbalance between attack and defense. Their attack seemed potent, but they had been unable to convert their chances.

If these players couldn't maintain composure on the big stage, Aldrich found it hard to place his hopes on them.

Had Chelsea managed to score first, they could have caused a mental collapse for Millwall.

But irrespective of everything, luck was on Millwall's side, and this allowed the exhausted players to return on the bus with great cheer.

As involved parties, they failed to realize their performance had already lost its commanding edge over the match.

After a two-day break, Millwall would train for a day before facing yet another tough match, this time at home against Leeds United.

With their loss in the last round, Leeds now faced relegation danger, making every single point crucial for them in these final three rounds of the league.