In the summer transfer window, the Lions allowed goalkeeper George Long to leave on a free transfer and join the Canaries following a two-year spell at the Den in which he made 41 appearances.
Last season he was the Lions’ mainstay between the posts, and he had a fairly impressive record as the former Sheffield United man kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just 37 goals in 36 appearances.
However, during the 2021/22 season, Long failed to make a single Championship appearance as Bartosz Bialkowski was an ever present between the sticks.
And prior to the current campaign, then Lions manager Gary Rowett opted to instill his confidence in Bialkowski, allowing Long to depart the Den and join the Canaries.
Millwall’s decision to let George Long leave for Norwich has proven to be the correct
choice
Long has only made seven appearances in the Canaries’ first 22 games, whereas Bialkowski has continued to impress despite the Lions’ terrible status, and has produced several eye-catching performances.
In a 1-0 loss to Southampton in early November, for example, the former Ipswich keeper made six saves and was only overcome in the 93rd minute by late substitute Ryan Fraser.
Bialkowski then kept a clean sheet against Sheffield Wednesday, which the Lions won 4-0 at Hillsborough with to goals from Murray Wallace, George Saville, Wes Harding, and Brook Norton-Cuffy.
Bialkowski has kept four clean sheets in 14 Championship starts this season, accounting for two-thirds of the Lions’ clean sheets in their first 22 second-tier games.
However, the one-time Poland international’s fortunes changed as he conceded seven goals in three games against Coventry City, Ipswich Town, and Sunderland, and he was subsequently dropped.
This does not mean that Rowett was incorrect to let Long go in the summer, as evidenced by the performances of former Wolverhampton Wanderers custodian Matija Sarkic, who has since returned to the club come in for Bialkowski, have been impressive.
Long’s departure paved the way for Sarkic
Long’s departure from the Den over the summer created a gap for August signing Sarkic to fill, and while it took a while to de-pose Bialkowski from his number-one slot, the Montenegro international has impressed so far during his time with the Lions.
Sarkic was selected for five Championship games in August and September, and he kept a clean sheet against both Middlesbrough and Stoke City.
He has also saved one of the two penalties he has faced this season, demonstrating his ability to perform under duress.
This season, the Lions have kept six clean sheets in their 22 games, with Sarkic responsible for two of them, so there is clearly strong competition between him and Bialkowski.
Long had stayed at the Lions in Sarkic’s place, Bialkowski may not have had the same sort of competition, and goalkeeping performances at the club may not have been so strong
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