After arriving at The Den in the summer, Andreas Voglsammer has quickly become a staple of Gary Rowett’s side, starting all but two games since making his full league debut away to Burnley at the end of August.
However, despite regular minutes, largely on the right side of the front three, the German has only contributed one goal and one assist so far this campaign.
With Benik Afobe leaving the club for warmer climes and Mason Bennett’s injury record preventing him from contributing, the Lions are crying out for attacking reinforcements this month – otherwise, they need to look from within for more goals.
So far Voglsammer has gained plaudits for his defensive running and workmanlike attitude, endearing himself to the Den crowd – although it is getting harder to ignore his lack of attacking output.
Other than Millwall’s Boxing Day victory at Watford, in which Voglsammer scored his only goal during a dominant display, his efforts in the final third have been largely ineffective.
Some will point to his misfortune in front of goal, having been denied by the crossbar four times, but ultimately finishing is not his strongest quality.
Voglsammer has consistently underperformed in xG, dating back to his time in Germany, where he managed just four league goals in 1,800 minutes from 7.1 xG with the trend continuing since his move to Bermondsey (just one goal compared to 3.3 xG).
Finishing aside, his creative contribution is close to zero, playing slightly over one pass that leads directly to a shot per 90 minutes, ranking in the bottom 20% of attackers for shot creating actions per 90.
In fact, when compared with George Honeyman, another early fan favourite who has dropped out of the side after a slow start, they are remarkably similar: hard running, low output forwards.
Honeyman himself also has only one goal and one assist so far this term but seems to be judged much harsher than Voglsammer.
So why does the German consistently get minutes as the Lions look to improve their goalscoring? Simply put, his defensive work rate.
Rowett has regularly claimed having Voglsammer out wide is like having a second striker on the pitch. However, looking at his play style, it’s closer to having an advanced supplementary right-back.
And it’s that playing style that has garnered so much affection from the home crowd as Lions fans love nothing more than someone who gives their all and puts it in for 90 minutes.
Despite only being at the club for six months, he’s already gained his own chant and nickname: The BFG (The Big…German).
Some will argue you won’t see the best from Voglsammer until he is given a chance centrally, where he has largely played in Germany. However, even as previously mentioned, his goal output there was low.
Compared to Tom Bradshaw, who has six goals this season, there wouldn’t be much change to Millwall’s performance as Voglsammer may be marginally better in the air, but his finishing would be a detriment compared to Bradshaw’s.
And don’t let his BFG tagline fool you either – Voglsammer is actually shorter than Bradshaw (177cm compared to 178cm) and although he offers more physicality, ultimately would be ineffective against towering centre-backs.
Voglsammer has largely done what appears to be asked of him for Gary Rowett, offering the Lions an outlet, occupying defenders and contributing when Millwall are out of possession.
But at this stage of the season, when the finest of margins can decide Millwall’s Play-Off charge, more needs to be demanded from the frontline.
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Beyond Zian Flemming and Bradshaw, Millwall’s wide players Tyler Burey, Callum Styles, Honeyman and Voglsammer have contributed just four goals and four assists so far this season.
The only other alternatives in the squad are youngster Romain Esse or new signing Aidomo Emakhu and demanding significant contributions from two Championship rookies could be a risky strategy.
Therefore Millwall need to find an option in the market who can add not just threat, but genuine output from wide areas if they are going to solidify a top six-place.
With added depth, Voglsammer can be used in rotation with Bradshaw, and hopefully begin to have more impact on games.
But for now, the BFG needs to start delivering if he’s going to help the Lions get to dreamland.