No Millwall, WE Fear No Foe

Norwich City 2-0 Millwall

Boxing Day and a routine win at Carrow Road with Wes Hoolahan and Grant Holt scoring. That's 20 already for Holt - some effort as the league season reached its precise mid-point.

I have always felt a little sorry for Millwall. Yes, I know events at West Ham earlier this season did not do much to help the club shake off the image of football's trouble makers in-chief but it is entirely possible to have a decent straight forward match with Millwall.

Even those who have barely a passing interest in football have an opinion on Millwall. I have lost count of the number of times I have had that conversation in recent weeks that starts with someone asking "So what are you doing for Christmas?" Once I have got past the bit that always goes "fairly quiet, we'll be spending most of it with family" I then mention that I'm covering the Norwich game on Boxing Day and that we are playing Millwall at home.

"Millwall!" - That's the usual response, followed by a sharp intake of breath.

The Lions have learned to live with the reputation that can reduce many grown adults to whistling through their teeth and asking whether you are 'expecting any trouble' when they know you are going to watch them play.

'No-one likes us, we don't care' has been the refrain from the terraces for years and it's now made it onto the pitch after a fashion. This year's Millwall shirts have 'We Fear No Foe' written beneath the number. It doesn't have quite the desired effect when they are 2-0 down.