"Fact" - Millwall: Neil Harris told to make one big change v Derby County | OneFootball

Duncan Watmore was left out of the Lions' 0-0 draw with West Brom before the international break.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Millwall return from the second international break of the season on Saturday at home to Derby County.

The Lions have struggled for consistency at The Den in 2024/25 so far, but are coming up against the only club to have not picked up a point on the road since the campaign started in the Rams.

Neil Harris' side were brilliant in their 0-0 draw with high-flying West Bromwich Albion two weeks ago, defending excellently, and shutting out Josh Maja throughout, a difficult task considering the form that the striker has been in this season.

Nevertheless, this weekend's fixture provides a new challenge for Millwall, and they will have to be at their best to stop a very physical Derby side from leaving South London with the points, something that may prompt Harris into a change to his starting XI.

Harris should bring back experienced winger

Although it would be easy to keep the starting XI as it was against West Brom for Saturday's clash, it does seem likely that Harris will bring back a player who has been in fantastic shape so far this season.

While they were defensively sound, the Lions did not cause too many issues for the Baggies going forward, and that is something that must be fixed against Derby, who could be there for the taking if their current away form is anything to go by.

Football League World asked their Millwall Fan Pundit, Chris Champan from the YouTube channel Chat with Chaps, what changes he would make against the Rams.

"The one change I would make is to bring Duncan Watmore back into the starting XI," he started. "In the last game against West Brom, Neil Harris chose to start Femi Azeez and while his Millwall career has been a little bit stop-start, I don't really think he grabbed his chance with sort of both hands.

"Duncan Watmore, fact, has been one of the most effective attacking players in the league this season and I think he was only taken out of the side because he can’t play three games in a week."

Chris continued: "So, for me, Watmore has to come back into the team, he has to come back in on the left-hand side and then, obviously, Romain Esse can switch back to his favourite position on the right.

"So that would be the one change that I would make ahead of this weekend's game against Derby County."

Watmore can cause issues for Derby

Watmore is deceivingly quick, and could cause significant difficulties for the Rams on Saturday if they are not at their best.

The 30-year-old has already proven to be a key asset to Harris this season, and is far and away Millwall'stop scorer with five goals in the Championship in nine appearances, three clear of Romain Esse who has two.

He has continuously proven to be a handful for defenders in the second tier in 2024/25, with his ability to find himself in space in the box to fire in a shot, a situation that could give Derby manager, Paul Warne, a huge tactical headache.

10 of Watmore's 18 shots this season have hit the target, so the Rams' number one, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, will have to keep himself alert to any danger throughout the contest as the Lions look for their third win of the season.