How do you solve a problem like Steve Lomas? That'll be the question on many Millwall fans' lips this morning as their dreadful start to the season continued with this 2-1 extra-time loss at Nottingham Forest in Round 2 of the Capital One Cup.
This loss came at the hands of fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest and, despite taking the game to extra-time, you have to wonder how long Lomas has left in the Millwall hot seat.
Forest, on the other hand, look like early contenders for promotion to the Premier League. This win extends their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions, which comes on the back of an unbeaten pre-season.
Forest's Matt Derbyshire opened the scoring just before the hour mark when he latched on to Djamel Abdoun's cross to head in from six-yards, but Millwall forced extra-time when Liam Feeney's deflected shot hit the back of the net with five minutes of normal time remaining, much to the surprise of the 173 Lions fans who had made the trip to the City Ground - Lomas' men have scored just two goals in the Championship this season.
It didn't take Forest long to regain the initiative, though, and it took them just four-minutes into extra-time to get back in front. It was Jamaal Lascelles' turn to head home, leaving the South London contingent sitting in the stands wondering whether there really is light at the end of the tunnel for them.
It could be argued that the only positive Millwall can take from this latest disappointment is that their kit man managed to bring the right kit with him this time, as he clearly found that too difficult to do last weekend when they travelled to Sheffield Wednesday.
But that isn't the only positive. No. @IAmTheLitch appears to be pleased with The Lions' cup exit: "I've figured out that we're actually the winners here. We've swerved Burnley away [in the next round] and the extra game." Every cloud and all that.
Forest fans will be understandably buoyant this morning and have every right to be excited for the season ahead. Their strength in depth showed last night as manager Billy Davies fielded a completely different starting XI to the one that drew at Watford on Sunday.
A Forest Twitter account echoed those sentiments this morning: "I can't remember the last time #NFFC had a squad with so much strength in depth. It's like we have two Championship level squads at the club."
Maybe Lomas should stay in Nottingham and try and ask for a few of their players before the transfer window shuts next week? Especially a goalscorer, as one goal from 16 shots last night just isn't good enough.
Forest will travel to Burnley in Round 3 of the Capital One Cup.
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