‘We knew top-six was a massive challenge anyway’ – Lions boss Rowett on play-off hopes

Gary Rowett reckons Millwall were already facing a “massive challenge” to reach the Championship play-offs – even before last night’s 1-0 home loss to Swansea City.

The Lions are 10th in the standings and their top-six prospects look a lot slimmer after the reverse at The Den.

But Rowett is determined that his side keep pushing right up until the finishing line with relegation-threatened Barnsley next up in SE16 this weekend.

“It would probably be a lot more frustrating if we were sat in mid-table with nothing to play for at this stage,” said the Millwall boss. “Let’s see where it takes us.

“We knew the top six was a massive challenge anyway when you’re four points off it with a poorer goal difference. You know you’ve probably got to win two more games than a lot of the teams with seven or six games to go – teams like Forest and Middlesbrough. You need other teams to go on a wobble and have a great run yourself.

“If we can start Saturday and pick up the three points we go to the next one. It won’t be easy against Barnsley.”