“I’m disappointed with the scoreline” – Gary Rowett reacts to Millwall’s FA Cup exit

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett was disappointed with the scoreline in today’s 3-0 loss to Bristol City but admitted the FA Cup was not Millwall’s top priority this season.

The Lions made eight changes for the fourth round tie at The Den.

“I’m disappointed with the overall scoreline,” said the Millwall boss. “We took the game in isolation – on the back of four away games.

“We put a huge amount of effort into a game [the 1-0 win at Huddersfield on Wednesday] in terrible conditions and got back late. I felt I had to make changes.

“The reality of the FA Cup without fans probably doesn’t feel quite the same as it would with fans normally at The Den. Therefore, I felt I had to make changes. We went with quite an attacking line-up with plenty of attacking players on the
pitch and for the first 30 minutes I thought we actually played quite well, we had moments, we had plenty of chances.”

Bristol City’s first goal came form the penalty spot after Frank Fielding fouled Famara Diédhiou in the box.

Rowett said: “We made one mistake and that comes from their midfielder running past our’s – that drags Pearcey out and they get in behind with Diedhiou – Frankie obviously tries to do what he can and brings him down for a penalty.”

The goal came at a time when the Lions were on top.

“To  be 1-0 down I felt was a bit unfair and unfortunate, but it is what it is,” said the Lions chief. “We responded quite well again, had some good moments, the keeper made some good saves, we got into positions where I felt we needed to do better, that’s been the story of our season, just that little bit of creativity in the final third.

“The second goal kills us, it’s a free-kick needlessly given away and a deflection sends the keeper the wrong way, it’s an unfortunate one that’s disappointing. The third goal I’m disappointed with defensively.”