Meet the opposition | Millwall
As Swansea City prepare to face Millwall, we take a closer look at the Lions.
What's their story?
Millwall are in their eighth-straight season in the Championship having secured their place in the second tier via the play-offs in 2017.
They have been mainstays of the second tier, having spent just two of the last 12 campaigns in League One.
The Lions haven’t been in the top-flight of English football since the 1989-90 season; the closest they have come to a return was when finishing just outside the play-offs in 2018, 2020 and 2023.
They famously reached the 2004 FA Cup final, but were beaten 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
How's their form?
Strong. Millwall have won six of their last nine games, and that has ensured they are firmly in the play-off picture heading into their final two fixtures.
The Lions are just three points off the top six, and have beaten fellow promotion chasers Sheffield United and Middlesbrough in that run.
Who’s the gaffer?
Alex Neil. A former midfielder, Neil was appointed Lions boss in December 2024, replacing Neil Harris, and he has led them to the brink of the play-offs.
He had previously been in charge of Stoke, but departed the Potters in December of 2023.
Neil started his managerial career at Scottish side Hamilton Academical in 2013, having skippered them when former Swans assistant Billy Reid held the managerial reins.
He went on to be appointed as player-manager on an interim basis and led the club to promotion back to the Scottish Premier League in his first full season in charge.
Neil took charge of Norwich City in January 2015 and enjoyed a phenomenal first few months in charge, leading the Canaries to promotion to the top-flight with a play-off final victory over Middlesbrough.
However, their time in the top-flight lasted less than 12 months as they suffered relegation the following season.
He left Carrow Road and was appointed as Preston manager in July 2017 and had the Lilywhites challenging for a play-off spot for the majority of his time at Deepdale.
He departed the Lancashire club in 2021, and a year later took the reins at Sunderland to guide the Black Cats back to the Championship via the play-offs.
Who's the captain?
Shaun Hutchinson is Millwall's club captain. The Newcastle-born defender started his career in Scotland, graduating from Motherwell's academy to make over 140 appearances for the Wells, while also being part of the side that reached the Scottish Cup final in 2011.
He went on to join Fulham on a free transfer, making over 40 appearances for the Cottagers over two years before moving to the Den in 2016.
He has played for the Lions ever since, making over 250 appearances for the club, he was part of the side that secured promotion to the Championship in 2017.
Hutchinson has suffered injury problems, only making 15 appearances last term, with fellow defender Jake Cooper taking the armband for the majority of the season.
He briefly left the club last summer, but was offered a new contract and returned. Hutchinson has had injury issues again this season, and it has been centre-back Cooper who has once again skippered the team.
Who are the key men?
Young Serbian striker Mihailo Ivanovic is Millwall's top scorer this season with 11 goals to his name, including a brace in last weekend's win over Norwich City.
The 20-year-old joined the Lions from Vojvodina in his homeland, having also had a loan spell with Sampdoria in Serie A.
His showings in the Championship saw him rewarded with a first senior international cap against Denmark last autumn, and he currently has six goals in his last seven appearances.
Experienced defender Joe Bryan joined Millwall on a free transfer during the summer of 2023 and, after an injury-hit first season, has performed strongly at The Den.
The Bristol City academy product came through the ranks to reach the senior team at Ashton Gate, and made 230 appearances for the Robins, helping them to promotion from League One, EFL Trophy success and a run to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
A £6million move to Premier League Fulham followed in 2018, and he quickly became a regular for the Cottagers.
They suffered relegation, but he helped them return to the top-flight immediately, with his opportunistic free-kick helping them beat west London rivals Brentford in the Championship play-off final.
Bryan spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Nice, before switching to south-east London after his contract expired at Fulham. He recently suffered a groin injury, but is nearing a return.
Towering Bracknell-born centre-half Jake Cooper has been a crucial figure in defence for Millwall for a number of seasons, and has skippered the side on a number of occasions.
Cooper has a remarkable 384 appearances to his name since joining from Reading and is an effective presence in both boxes.
His consistency and durability were underlined by a run of playing every minute of 136 consecutive league games between August 2018 and December 2020.
Cooper had come through the academy ranks at Reading, joining the Berkshire club at the age of 14 before progressing to the senior ranks.
An impressive loan spell with Millwall in 2017 paved the way for his permanent move and he has been a stalwart ever since.