Millwall boss on why Brentford is easier prep work than Ipswich or Aston Villa

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall manager Neil Harris reckons the prep work for tomorrow’s derby at Brentford is easier than the matches against Ipswich and Aston Villa – because Thomas Frank offers continuity of playing style at the Bees.

The Lions have come up against caretaker bosses in the other two games. Although Paul Lambert had been appointed the new Tractor Boys manager before last Saturday’s match, the Scot opted to watch the 3-0 defeat to the Lions from the directors box.

Frank has stepped up after Dean Smith opted to quit Brentford to take charge at Aston Villa.

Harris said: “When you look at Dean going to Villa there has been no transfer window and Thomas has got the same players that were there. They are playing the same style.

“The is no major overhaul. No transition, in that sense. It does jolt it up slightly but there is no new manager syndrome to change the style. It is Brentford as they have been for the last few years. It is not as difficult to prepare as against Ipswich and Aston Villa.

“You never know exactly what the opposition are going to do, but we have a good idea. Brentford have a playing philosophy and Thomas has been a huge part of the huge success they have had in the last couple of years.”

Millwall have taken just two points on the road.

Asked about improving that haul, Harris said: “We need a clean sheet mentality away from home, that’s important. It is difficult to score away at this level so you have to give away zeros and ones. Simple as that.

“We will create chances, we know that. We have to be ruthless and clinical when they come along. We need to get back to that hard to beat Millwall team that nobody wanted to play. At the Den, some of our performances have been outstanding. I want that momentum at The Den, it creates a mindset. But you can make life easier for yourself if you are picking up wins away from home.

“The last two have been really good away. Forest and Reading, we fully deserved six points but we haven’t. The performances have been good but we need to change the mindset to clean sheets. We need to stop giving fouls away, cheap corners and blocking shots at the last moment.”