By Joe B
April 26 2004

Millwall left winger Peter Sweeney is receiving a lot of attention despite the Lions' disappointing league form of late. Scouts are clearly monitoring the player's progress, and it can only be a matter of time before the Anglo-Scot graduates to Berti Vogts' full international squad. Millwall’s hopes of making the play-offs were in tatters after Shaun Goater netted with a superb side foot volley at the Den to condemn the hosts to a 1-0 defeat against Reading last Saturday.

After the match, Lions assistant boss Ray Wilkins said: "If I'm honest that's us gone. We'll keep battling but realistically you have to say we're struggling.

"I can't fault the guys for the way they put themselves about, but we didn't quite have the quality. It's disappointing, but over the piece Reading just about deserved to beat us.

"We've got to go for our final games because there's no point fizzling out and our season ending appallingly before we play United. We've got to go into that final in the best possible form.

"The good news was Manchester United got beaten [by Liverpool] so it proves they are only human. But we've got to be at our best if we're going to play those herberts in the final."

Scotland Under 21 international winger Peter Sweeney came close to keeping Millwall’s play-off hopes alive with a free kick that hit the upright.
Wilkins said: “Peter did one great thing. He hit the post. But it’s only there to hold the net up.

“He’s suffering from a lack of self-confidence at the moment, but he’s still got the ability to get past people and cross the ball.

“Peter does have a lot of quality and a lot of people are watching him as well.”
Paul Ifill was also denied by the woodwork, but Millwall rarely looked like scoring - those chances apart.

While the players were largely leaden-legged against Reading, there was a much greater sense of urgency against Watford four days before.

But despite taking the lead through Danny Dichio, Millwall ran out of steam and eventually lost 2-1 with Bruce Dyer and Lee Cook grabbing the Hornets’ goals.
So with their game in hand gone, the Lions approached the Reading fixture knowing it was a “must win” game.

However, poor form in the league often precedes a major cup final as even Manchester United would testify, and Reading boss Steve Coppell believed that was a contributing factor in Millwall’s lacklustre performance against his side.

Coppell said: “It must be difficult for them having a dual agenda. I don't care what anyone says, it's impossible to concentrate on these games when you know the significance of the game to come.

"It's definitely affected their performances in recent weeks. I'm not saying it's been a curse but it has been a heavy load for them to carry."
Although it’s still mathematically possible for Millwall to make the play-offs, only the most optimistic fan will harbour any hopes of overhauling the clubs placed above.

Last season’s points total of 66 will be eclipsed though if the Lions avoid defeat at Pride Park on Saturday against Derby County (kick off 5.35pm).