By Jr
April 24 2005

Snipers are a part of most modern football clubs, and Millwall is no exception. These are the people that tell you Sir Alex Ferguson has lost the plot at Manchester United. They're also the ones who wanted Mark McGhee out, but a couple of years later wouldn't mind him back! Though Dennis Wise seems to have the backing of the majority of Millwall fans, like most managers before him the current player boss has been a victim of the odd sniper attack or two.

Wise’s critics claim that the team didn’t go for it against Manchester United in last year’s FA Cup final. Let’s not forget we were up against a team that recently thrashed Newcastle at the same venue by the same number of goals. On that occasion, it was no contest just like it was against Millwall.

Yet, Millwall did almost hold on until half time without conceding against Man U and, let’s face it, we knew we’d struggle without the likes of Kevin Muscat and Danny Dichio, so a defeat was hardly surprising.

We just didn’t have the personnel on the day to beat Man U, we just have to admit it. This season similarly, we’ve missed our top players for some of our big games. Yet we’ve still beaten all the clubs above us in the league table, with the exception of Wigan and Sheffield United (who we play next).

As much as the critics want to pooh-pooh Wise’s achievements, the truth is he’s written himself into the club’s history books. Who could imagine Millwall playing in an FA Cup final and qualifying for Europe? Not me, that’s for sure.

Now we have to make sure we finish the season as strongly as we can, which might be enough to put Wise’s snipers to bed. I wouldn’t bank on it though, as some people just love to complain about the incumbent boss whatever the results.

I bet even Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho gets stick for playing Robert Huth, Eidur Gudjohnsen and William Gallas, to name but a few, out of position!

Prediction: Sheff Utd 1 Millwall 1