Stoke City vs Millwall. Sky Bet Championship.
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Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Millwall at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday | Steven Schumacher begins Potters tenure with a drab goalless draw.
Saturday 23 December 2023 18:45, UK
Steven Schumacher's time in charge of Stoke began with a point as they were held at home to a goalless draw by Millwall.
The 39-year-old had ended a four-year association with Plymouth to make the move to the Potters on Tuesday.
And his opening match was promising albeit also frustrating as Stoke failed to make their dominance count.
Stoke are now winless in nine games dating back to October, with only one goal scored at home in their last five outings.
Meanwhile, Millwall's dismal run under new manager Joe Edwards continued as they fell to a sixth straight game without victory.
After penning a three-and-a-half year contract in the Potteries, the incoming Schumacher was given a rapturous reception by the locals.
Stoke, who had secured only nine victories in 30 home league games under the outgoing Alex Neil, have tasked their new boss with improving that record.
Despite a slow start to proceedings, the hosts gradually grew into the fixture against Millwall as they grew in confidence.
The first effort was produced by Ki-Jana Hoever, who fired over the target following intricate play.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, Stoke had their first shot on target with Ryan Mmaee threatening an opener.
The forward advanced with purpose and his powerful strike forced a smart save from former Potter Matija Sarkic, who spent last season on loan at the club.
Millwall had scored only three first-half goals in Edwards' first six games in charge and the visitors continued to struggle in front of goal.
Jake Cooper's weak header in stoppage time proved to be the Lions' solitary effort on goal in a tame opening period.
Schumacher's half-time instructions prompted a response from his new side as Stoke took control of the match after the restart.
The attack-minded Hoever again found himself in a promising position early in the second period, but his drilled strike was saved by Sarkic.
With Millwall entrenched in their own box, the home outfit continued to pile on the pressure and a deflected Andre Vidigal strike nearly trickled in.
The lively Mmaee had the best chance to break the deadlock when he found a yard of space, but a heroic Wes Harding block ensured the scores remained level.
Despite their second-half authority, Stoke's efforts ultimately proved to be in vain as Schumacher failed to mark his arrival with victory.
Millwall nearly struck an unlikely winner as they registered their first shot on target with the last kick of the game, but Aidomo Emakhu was thwarted by Jack Bonham.
The Lions' woes continue, with Edwards' only win coming in his first game in charge back on November 11.
Stoke's Steven Schumacher:
"There were lots of positive signs today and it's a pleasing start. Jack [Bonham] got us out of trouble at the end and Luke [McNally] owes him a pint!
"That was Millwall's only shot on goal and if that would have gone in, it would have broke all of our hearts.
"We didn't lose the game which is important for us at this stage, so it's a pleasing afternoon and there's positive signs.
"The players played with more energy and the fans responded. We had that momentum and it was one-way traffic in that second half.
"We lost our rhythm towards the end but that's to be expected with a brand-new message and management team.
"The players gave us everything today and I'm really appreciative of that. As long as we all stick together and stay on the same page, then our results will definitely turn around if we put in performances like that.
"It was a good day's work, not perfect, but it's one point, a step in the right direction and something to build on."
Millwall's Joe Edwards:
"It was a solid performance for us. We want to win every game, but you've got to respect where we've been as a team and we've been having a tough time.
"In recent weeks our performances haven't been great and there's been several different areas that we've had to address on the training pitch.
"We've lost too many games of late and it's been about stopping leaking chances and goals as easily as we have.
"We've been going away with a lack of points because we haven't been defending our box well enough. And when we're in their half, we want to ask more questions and we need time to keep adding that bit.
"That final bit hasn't been there for the past few weeks and it wasn't there today, and that's the final piece that we need to come together.
"We had a moment at the end where we rolled the dice but, all in all, I don't think a draw is an unfair result for either team."
