Millwall boss warns Wycombe to watch out

11:52am Friday 15th December 2000

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MILLWALL boss Mark McGhee has warned Wanderers that Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Adams Park will be even tougher than Sunday's game at the New Den was.

McGhee says Millwall would have beaten Wycombe on a decent pitch last week and says they will finish off the job in the replay on the Adams Park billiard table on Tuesday.

He said: "Going to Wycombe will suit us. We'd have beaten Wycombe comfortably if we had been on a good pitch.

"Our lads are happier away from home at the moment because of the state of our pitch and we'll be going there full of confidence.

"We're finding it difficult at home but on a good pitch playing the way we are we can beat them."

His words will needle a Wanderers side who dug in on Millwall's mudheap in Lawrie Sanchez's 100th game in charge of the club to earn a replay thanks to another marvellous performance from keeper Martin Taylor.

Nine sides, including McGhee's Millwall on Sunday, have failed to find a way past him this season and if Millwall are to justify their manager's bold claims that they will win at Wycombe, they will have to beat a keeper who is arguably the best in the division.

The former Derby keeper twice pushed efforts from Richard Sadlier and Paul Moody onto the woodwork and produced three other top saves to frustrate the highflying Londoners and keep Wycombe on course for a third round date at home to first division Grimsby on January 6.

Taylor's performances over the last two seasons have been a major factor in Wanderers' transformation from relegation candidates to play-off chasers but at one stage it looked as though he was heading out of the club.

Sanchez revealed this week: "I hold my hands up. When I first came here I wasn't too sure about him. He made a few mistakes and was having a bit of a dodgy time but now he's the first name on the teamsheet.

"He was the player of the year last year and he's been in great form this season. All teams want to have a good goalkeeper and we've got one. I never have to worry about him."

Millwall have been averaging almost two goals per game in the league this season but they could not find a way past Taylor who was typically modest about his latest supershow.

He said: "It's not about me it's a team game. I'm playing very well at the moment and playing with a lot of confidence. I'm back to how I used to feel when I played for Derby and I'm going out expecting to keep clean sheets.

"I'm not doing anything differently, but confidence for a goalie is the majority of it and when things are going well you get the luck that goes with it. Because the defence is doing so well everyone feels confident."

But he warned: "It's only half time. We've got to perform exactly the same at home and find a goal from somewhere to beat Millwall.

"We're very upbeat. To come to Millwall and get a result when they are flying gives us the confidence to push on."

With Jamie Bates and Paul McCarthy again outstanding in front of him and 19-year-old Ben Townsend turning in an outstanding performance in the unaccustomed role of right back all Wanderers need to do is sort out their problems at the other end of the field.

They never troubled Millwall keeper Tony Warner all afternoon and will need to find a cutting edge from somewhere if they are to topple Millwall in the replay.

Top scorer Andy Rammell has not scored for six games while Jermaine McSporran's last goal came in September.

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