Millwall vs Bradford City; Sky Bet League One
Millwall vs Bradford City. Sky Bet League One.
The DenAttendance16,301.
4-2
Millwall v Bradford preview: Steve Morison fires warning to team-mates
Friday 20 May 2016 19:50, UK
Millwall striker Steve Morison has warned his team-mates that Bradford will play without fear as they attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit in Friday night's return leg of their Sky Bet League 1 play-off semi-final, live on Sky Sports.
Goals from Lee Gregory, Morison and Joe Martin secured Millwall a 3-1 first-leg win at Valley Parade on Sunday after Tony McMahon's 13th-minute penalty had given Bradford the lead.
"We've spoken about the first leg but since then there has been a lot of hard work done on the training pitch to prepare ourselves for what will be a really tough match," Morison told Millwall's official website, before Friday's match at The Den.
"Nobody is under any illusions. We know we have one huge job to do and there certainly won't be anybody thinking otherwise.
"Bradford will have no fear. They have nothing to lose and will throw everything at us, so we have to be ready and prepared for that. We definitely don't want to start like we did in the game last week.
"To a man we have to be on the front foot right from the first whistle and perform as we have been week-in, week-out this season."
The Lions, who finished the regular season just one point above Bradford in the table, hope an intimidating full house at The Den can roar them on to the final at Wembley.
The game is a sell-out as it was for the second leg of the 2010 League One play-off semi-final, when Morison scored in a 2-0 defeat of Huddersfield. Millwall went on to secure promotion with a 1-0 win over Swindon.
"All of the lads have been talking about how the place will be rocking," Morison added. "Most of them have not experienced just what The Den is like when it's full and I'm sure the atmosphere will be great."
Bradford boss Phil Parkinson, who guided Bradford to League Two play-off success in 2013 having led them to Wembley in the Capital One Cup two months earlier, believes his players can silence the partisan Millwall fans.
"Millwall will be looking to use the home crowd to their advantage but we have to try and turn that against them," he told Bradford's official website.
"We need to create a nervousness on the pitch and in the ground. The way we do that is by the manner of our performance.
"There is no pressure on us - everyone has written us off already. Everyone is talking about Millwall and their players and how they have a great chance to get to Wembley."
Team news
Bantams boss Parkinson has confirmed that James Hanson is ruled out. Hanson is sidelined with the same calf injury that has seen the forward miss City's last two fixtures.
Harris will check on striker Lee Gregory, who was substituted in Sunday's first leg. Right-back Mahlon Romeo is suspended, while fellow defender Shaun Cummings is a long-term absentee.
Ollie's prediction
We tried to change things when we went there to get the wage bill down to an acceptable level and get some young players in team, who had the right hunger. They seem in a much better place now than when I first walked in despite being a league lower. With one of their own in the dugout, the whole club is pulling in the right direction and they should get the job done at the Den.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Opta stats
Millwall are unbeaten in their last five matches against Bradford at the Den, winning the last four (D1).
The Bantams have failed to score in their last four visits to Millwall in league competition.
The Lions have conceded just one goal in their last eight league games at the Den, winning seven and drawing the other.
Only once in their last 14 league away trips have Bradford scored more than once, although, they've kept six clean sheets.
Millwall have lost four of their six second leg play-off semi-finals, although, they have drawn and won their most recent two.
Bradford have won two of their three second leg play-off semi-finals, with each of those matches away from home.
The Lions have won each of their last two play-off games at home, keeping clean sheets in both.
Before this season, the Bantams had lost their last two play-off semi-final first legs (both at home), winning the second leg, reaching the final and gaining promotion on both occasions.
Lee Gregory has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season, seven more than any other Millwall player.