McAnuff believes keeping Millwall fans on Edwards’ side could prove to be difficult for the Lions’ new boss.
Not only is the board responsible for the Lions’ recent success, but former manager Gary Rowett also had a major role in the team’s success, as the Lions regularly made the playoffs when he was in charge.
However, things haven’t gone as smoothly this year, and towards the end of the last international break, Rowett and the team appeared to have concluded it was time to move on.
Since then, the team’s performance under interim manager Adam Barrett hasn’t improved; in his four games in command, Barrett has only won two of a possible twelve points.
While Southampton and Preston North End were playing strong football, these were tough games on paper, and the Lions’ supporters will be frustrated that Rowett’s departure hasn’t paid off just yet.
Despite the Championship team’s terrible performance under Barrett, the board of directors decided to take their time in selecting a new manager, and Joe Edwards was finally named earlier this week.
Today, he will coach his debut game against Sheffield Wednesday, who are now bottom of the second division.
But the Owls, under Danny Rohl, have been playing well, and they will be hoping to at least draw today, especially at home at Hillsborough where they have home advantage.
What Millwall warning has Jobi McAnuff sent to Joe Edwards?
Supporters will get to witness Edwards’ newfound playing style in action today as he appears poised to introduce it to The Den.
Since his coaching method differs from Rowett’s, it will take time for him to completely adopt it, but McAnuff thinks the current manager of the Lions wants to see results quickly.
He reminisced on his time at Reading in an interview with the BBC 72+ Podcast.
“Brendan Rodgers, who I joined the team with shortly after Steve Coppell’s tenure, was attempting to construct something and play in a unique manner.
Could Millwall supporters quickly turn on Joe Edwards?
You can see why McAnuff is drawing these parallels—both Reading and the Lions were raised on a more direct kind of football under Steve Coppell.
It was always going to be tough for Brendan Rodgers to replace Coppell given his stellar performance in Berkshire. Regrettably, the Royals’ fortunes did not improve in the first few months of the current Celtic manager’s tenure at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
John Madejski ultimately made the decision to fire him.
For the majority of his tenure at The Den, Rowett kept Millwall in the top half of the table; they will be expecting the same from Edwards and may turn against him if he doesn’t produce results right away.
In light of this, neither Rodgers nor Edwards received assistance from their forebears.
Still, a large portion of the Lions’ fan base was eager for Rowett to leave so they could start over. Fans of Reading, on the other hand, felt differently when Coppell left; they wanted him to stay.
Because of this, Lions fans might be more forgiving; yet, they are a fervent group, and their feelings will be determined by the team’s performance.
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