Meet the opposition | Millwall
As Swansea City get set to take on Millwall at The Den, we take a closer look at the Lions.
What's their story?
Initially formed as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the Lions played at various locations within the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs until 1910, at which point they stopped roving and made a permanent home at The Den in New Cross. In 1993, they moved to The New Den.
Since joining the Football League in 1920, the club have spent the vast majority of their time moving between the second and third tiers.
The Lions only foray into the top-flight came between 1988 and 1990. In the 1988-89 season, they achieved their highest league finish of 10th in the top tier.
They have reached the FA Cup final once (2004) and were Football League Trophy finalists in 1999. Their FA Cup final runners-up place earned them a place in the Uefa Cup as winners Manchester United had already secured a place in Europe with their league position.
How’s their form?
Improving. After losing three of their first four games in all competitions, Millwall have lost just one of their last five, picking up eight points via two wins and a pair of draws.
They have won two of their last three on home turf, and picked up creditable away draws at Birmingham and West Brom.
Who's the gaffer?
Ex-Birmingham City, Derby County and Everton defender Gary Rowett has been at the helm as head coach at Millwall since October 2019, where he replaced Neil Harris.
As a player Rowett was a reliable performer in all the teams he played for, amassing 381 league appearances and scoring 21 goals over a 16-year career.
Rowett moved into management with his final club Burton Albion in 2012. After initially assisting Paul Peschisolido in 2009, he took over the reins and led the club to fourth place in League Two and a place in the play-offs, backing it up the following season with another top six-finish.
Moves to the Championship to manage former clubs Birmingham and Derby County followed, with his fine work at St Andrew’s going unrewarded by the club hierarchy.
He endured a difficult spell at Stoke City, before taking up the reins and doing a fine job at The Den, having them in play-off contention over successive seasons.
Who's the captain?
Shaun Hutchinson is Millwall’s club captain.
Born in Newcastle and – along with Michael Carrick – an alumni of Wallsend Boys Club, Hutchinson started his senior career with Scottish club Motherwell.
He made over 140 appearances for them, and was part of the Well squad that reached the Scottish Cup final in 2011, before moving to Fulham on a free transfer.
A two-year stint at Craven Cottage ended with a free transfer to Millwall in 2016 and he has been with the Lions ever since.
Hutchinson was part of the side that secured promotion to the Championship via the play-offs in 2017, and has made nearly 250 appearances in total.
The defender has had injury problems in recent seasons, and missed the last two games with a calf injury, with Jake Cooper taking the armband in his absence.
Who are the key men?
Promising Dutch creative midfielder Zian Flemming arrived at the Den last summer after a couple of stellar seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie with Fortuna Sittard, where he amassed 29 goals in 58 games over his two years at the club.
Those exploits helped earn him a place in the league's team of the 2021-22 season, and the ex-Ajax youth prospect has really hit his stride after quickly finding his feet in the Championship.
He had 15 goals to his name across last season and is a key figure for the Lions.
Wales international Tom Bradshaw has also been among the goals, with he and Flemming dovetailing well in the final third.
He had 17 Championship goals to his name last term, including an excellent hat-trick in a thrilling 3-2 win over Sheffield United at The Den.
The Shrewsbury-born forward has been with the Lions since 2019, having previously had spells with Aberystwyth Town, Shrewsbury, Walsall and Barnsley.
He has won seven Wales caps since making his debut against Ukraine in 2016.
Surrey-born winger or wing-back Ryan Longman is spending the season on loan with the Lions from parent club Hull City.
The 22-year-old came through the youth ranks with Brighton and Hove Albion but made just a solitary senior appearance for the Seagulls.
He had loan spells with AFC Wimbledon and Hull City, and made his move to the Tigers a full-time switch in January of 2022.
He has made 89 appearances for the East Riding of Yorkshire club, for whom he scored a memorable FA Cup goal against Everton, and is renowned for his ability to get forward down the left and provide quality.
Longman has started four league games in a row since his move to The Den.