Black's magic can tame Lions

From the archive, first published Friday 8th Dec 2006.

Tommy Black has no fears of being sent into the Lions' Den tomorrow.

City make the first of two trips to Millwall in the space of four days, looking to carry on the good work from beating Leyton Orient.

And Black hopes his bright display that night will earn him another chance in London - even if the Crystal Palace loan man is bracing himself for a lively reception.

He said: "I've got a bit of stick there a few times, especially when I was sent off for Palace a few years ago.

"It's a nice stadium to play in and has a lovely surface but they do know how to work the crowd well.

"Credit where it's due, Millwall are good at that and do make it uncomfortable for away teams.

"But we're going there now with something to build on. Take out the Oldham defeat and we've drawn two and won on Tuesday so we're confident about coming back to London and getting another result.

"You know from last week's performance that we will have chances against them.

"It's up to us to take the confidence from scoring in midweek and making sure we can back that up.

"It's got to be our aim to string two or three away wins together now. Every team wants to be strong at home but the pressure can be off when you're away so you tend to play a little bit better and be more clinical."

Black, who Dennis Wise once tried to take to Millwall on loan, only played at Orient after Lee Holmes pulled out with recurring ankle trouble.

But he responded by laying on the opening goal for Eddie Johnson and nearly scoring himself late on.

"We're judged on our end product," he said. "As a wide player it's either for goals or assists because you're an attacking force.

"There were a few nice little bits and pieces on Tuesday but I want to maintain it through the game.

"Wide players do generally play in spells when the ball's given to them but you need to try and get involved more with the team.

"But the team switched play well in the second half which gave me a lot of time and space to get at defenders."

Black's performance at Leyton Orient was a complete contrast to his horrendous debut against Oldham three weeks ago.

And the 27-year-old believes he is starting to justify Colin Todd's decision to bring him in.

"Getting back to match fitness has made all the difference," he added.

"You can do all the running you like at training but it doesn't compensate for your general awareness on the pitch.

"That's what I've been lacking since the start of the season; being on the pitch and knowing what positions to take up.

"The really frustrating thing was that I got a lot of good ball at Oldham, probably receiving it in better areas than I did on Tuesday.

"But the Orient game went better and it was good to get 75 minutes or so under my belt. And hopefully tomorrow, if I'm selected, I can keep on improving because there's still plenty more to come from me."