Thoughts from today

After Ipswich hitting top gear yesterday we not only needed a win but had a chance to take top spot with Leicester playing FA Cup.

Saw people complaining about the line up, but looked fine to me.

Very dominant start, huge amounts of possession and lo's of intricate play around boxout not quite the on target threat.

Millwall started getting physical and suddenly you miss VAR when you see Gnonto wrestled to ground by someone twice his size.

Cooper was awful today, all over Rodon in box for as sure as a penalty as you'll see, right in front of ref who seemed to give cards in slow motion and flailing arm in Rutter's face, dont know how he stayed on the pitch....he nearly scored later on, that would have been a travesty.

Summerville dancing around creating havoc, Firpo really part of it up front and Rutter the most willing of workers.

Bamford always running, occupying defenders and despite people saying Kamara is poor, he always progressive and part of the attacks.

The only problem, it feels at times that we're just too close together, almost getting in each other's way.

Still not seeing it from Gruev, who seems to have the strangest of gaits, but don't see any changes to this line up really in run in, but not sure what future holds for him.

Ampadu and Rodon don't have much to do and Gray very dynamic in first half.

Bamford put through but cant quite control it and overhits lay off for Gnonto who cant make anything of it.

Gnonto not been so influential so far, then 2 mins later picks up a ball and bang, the value of having shots and he grabs a great goal.

Despite the dominance it is a slender lead and second half we're not quite the same team, ball more in our half Meslier called into action, sometimes saving, sometimes flapping and we hear Harris team not conceded second half for 13 matches, but if we do get a second, we go top.

We're labouring a bit, pinball in our box at times, Millwall change half their team and eventually Dan James comes on for Gnonto. We're finally making use of James pace who brilliantly cuts back after cause looks lost, he's been brilliant this season.

Then Rutter, brilliantly fools his man to squirm aawy in box and really power in his cut back/cross (a feature of our play and throw back to Bielsa) and James receives, seems to take one touch too many but how cool was he to keep composure, pick his spot and send us top.

12 month ago we thought we'd probably seen back of him, 25m waste of time, treated poorly by club after becoming a Dad....well his return was complete today and he fully deserved his baby dummy celebration, he has been the making of us this season and Daniel Farke and the team the making of him.

My G-d, New Years day 17 points behind and now top, that is really something special, I for one didn't think we would do it, but everyone is contributing, its a cliche but our forward set up so strong and we just made one hell of a statement.

Surely too far now for Southampton, but they still have a big say in the run in, but surely now a 3 horse race but I would not be surprised if Leicester don't implode and miss out, who knows....

What I do know is that its been a very long time, way before biers that I can recall a time when we were this predictably solid.

One big factor is surely the health of teh players. In years gone by long term injury after long term injury, but we're finally having a run of good luck, and isn't it great to see Rutter, run his socks off, get so physically involved and yet not on physio couch every week, you cant help but like his effort, attitude and smile and am really glad it's come good for him.

For all of this I think we've had a lot of questions about Farke, where he plays people, timing of subs, but he has delivered and then some.

Just a 2-0 v Millwall, not a particular spectacular result you might say, yet today we sent a massive message to Ipswich and Leicester....massive.