In my young (ahem) lifetime the Albion have had some good results in SE 16.

Usually we have won in exceptional circumstances, and within hours of the departures of respective managers, Mark McGhee and most recently, Mickey Adams.

I hope the gods who discipline this kind of thing decree that being thrashed 7-1 away and then 4-2 at home are exceptional enough circumstances to influence an unlikely away win.

The Albion fans who attend might play a superhuman part as well; many will do a Christopher Reeve type change when they leave the ground disguising their Albion tops with clothes more associated with being in South London!

I recall an incident in September 1991 when Mark Beeney made his greatest save for the Albion, by stopping some young ‘enthusiast’ landing one on John Robinson. The Albion won that night as they did the previous May on their way to Wembley, where they lost the Play off Final.

We won there in 2006 the day after Mark McGhee, resigned/was sacked/left by mutual agreement (delete as appropriate) and Richard Carpenter was sent off and hardly ever played for The Albion again.

We also won there in February this year the day or afternoon after Mickey Adams, resigned/was sacked/left by mutual agreement. (delete as appropriate) and Adam Virgo scored.

I have been employed with many a lion and although I have been in the fortunate position not to have had to work for over a year now, I expect there will be some banter from ex work colleagues whatever the result come Friday night and Saturday morning. (wasn’t that the Specials) The events of Tuesday night at Upton Park are fortunately a rarity nowadays, all the Millwall fans I know are decent chaps who thrive on their fearsome reputation, but would rather group hug than be a thug. It’s the same with the Orient guys I have associated with, same meat different gravy. Russell Slade could do with turning it around 360 degrees on Friday night, some might argue there should already be a replacement in to continue the Millwall tradition. I hope Mr Smooth gets it right and The Albion kick on from here, because a significant loss at The New Den makes the visit of Peter Taylors Wycombe a week later, a crucial game for Russ, no matter what anyone says!