Evening Standard

Millwall have plenty to shout about after giving David James silent treatment

Millwall captain Paul Robinson revealed today how his men got the better of David James — they ignored him.
All week the headlines had been building up James's debut for Bristol City against Millwall but the Lions made a point of not getting drawn into the hype surrounding England's World Cup goalkeeper.
It worked brilliantly as Millwall began life back in the Championship with a thumping 3-0 win at Ashton Gate.
Robinson, who finished off City by lashing in the third goal on Saturday, said: "We didn't even discuss David James and it helped us.
"I'm sure the whole of Bristol was talking about him in the build-up but we just concentrated on what we had to do.
We wanted to show everyone why we deserved to be in the Championship. We were hungry to show we were good enough."
The Millwall fans tormented James remorselessly, chanting "England, England's No1 . . ." as the 40-year-old picked the ball out of the net three times.
Centre-halves Darren Ward and Robinson both scored after latching on to rebounds off the post while their strikes were sandwiched by a glorious solo effort by Danny Schofield.
The only black spot was the sending off of midfielder Darren Carter for a soft second yellow. Robinson added: "It was a good job we had a three-goal cushion."
Typically, boss Kenny Jackett tried to play down such an impressive win and said: "It's only the first game and we have to move on quickly."

Sporting Life
Coppell has his work cut out

Steve Coppell admitted his Bristol City side have an awful lot of improving to do after they succumbed to a 3-0 home defeat to Millwall in their npower Championship opener at Ashton Gate.
England goalkeeper David James endured a miserable debut for the Robins as they were ripped apart by the newly-promoted Londoners in the second half and Coppell's long injury list was added to when striker Sam Vokes, on loan from Wolves, was carried off just 13 minutes after going on as a second-half substitute.
James had to pick the ball out of his net three times but had no chance with the goals from Darren Ward, Danny Schofield and Paul Robinson. The new signing prevented a fourth with a superb point-blank save from James Henry.
Both teams finished with 10 men as Millwall's Darren Carter and City's Damion Stewart were dismissed in the second period for two bookable fouls.
A shell-shocked Coppell said: "I made it clear before the game that I would be as interested as anyone to see where we were because we have had to make so many changes in our pre-season games.
The way the match went was an indication that we have an awful lot of work to do to be competitive in the Championship.
I am not going to make injuries an excuse. We had 11 players out there raring to go, but they were not able to put in the required performance.
It's always a concern when you lose a game 3-0. There are a lot of areas in which we can improve.
David James has only trained with us for a week, yet he made one fantastic save, his distribution was good and he came for crosses well as you would expect."
Defender Ward fired Millwall in front in the 42nd minute after Kevin Lisbie's low shot came back off a post.
Schofield doubled the advantage three minutes after the break, turning Nicky Hunt inside out before beating James with a fine, curling shot from a narrow angle.
On the hour Millwall struck again when Lisbie's header came back off the crossbar and skipper Robinson lashed home the rebound. It could have been more as City fell apart.