‘That’s certainly something we’ve been short of’ – Lions boss Rowett on ‘difficult’ element to add

Gary Rowett has challenged all of his Millwall players to improve on their goal stats this season after admitting it has impeded previous play-off attempts.

The Lions have been in the top-six shake-up in two of the three campaigns since Rowett replaced Neil Harris as manager.

Only West Brom (52) scored fewer goals than Millwall (53) in the top half of the Championship last season.

“As a team you have to create those moments and be better as a group,” said Rowett. “That’s certainly something we’ve been short of – there’s no point me sitting here saying we haven’t. But that is very difficult to find.

“We’ve seen with the likes of Benik [Afobe] and Bradders [Tom Bradshaw] that they are more than capable of getting into decent double figures.

“What we need is that to be improved. We need Benik to score more goals than last year, we need the midfielders to chip in with more goals – Shaun Hutchinson  is one who scored six goals in the first season I came here and hasn’t replicated that since.

“We need the likes of Hutchy to step up and add those set-piece goals as well.

“We’re looking to bring players in we feel we might be able to do that.

“We’re not the type of club that can go out and instantly buy a 20-goals-a-season striker, you have to work hard to try and create that within the squad with some astute signings along the way.

“We have been really competitive and consistent in this league for a number of years now. I’m excited about the season – we have got a lot of youth and energy in there. But, at the same time, I’m sat here never quite knowing what will happen because it is the Championship, such a competitive and unpredictable league.”