Millwall boss pinpoints where his side went wrong in derby loss to Brentford

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris accused his Millwall side of being too hurried with their approach play in today’s 2-0 defeat at Brentford.

The Lions have taken just two points on their travels this season and west London was not a happy hunting ground with Sergi Canos and Ollie Watkins on target for the hosts.

“We have not used the ball well enough today,” said Harris. “It is hard to talk about positives when we have been so poor with the ball.

“Yes, we play forward-thinking football, we know that is what this club demands and how they want to play. But at no point have I said someone can’t put their foot on the ball and be composed as well.

“We didn’t get enough opportunities to put the ball in Brentford’s box. That is the frustration. Credit to Brentford for a strong display. We should find ourselves in better areas of the pitch but in the last five games we have made something like 90 chances.

“Today we didn’t find that momentum, we didn’t build enough pressure – we didn’t show enough good decisions with the football. Sometimes you have got to play four or five passes to get the ball forward, today we played too much one or two touch football. I’m disappointed in the group in that aspect.”

But Harris also admitted that the setback in south-west London would not derail the Lions, who had climbed clear of the bottom three after a more than respectable points return in recent weeks.

“I’ve said to the players it is important not to get too high on the back of a win or too low at losing,” he said. “In the first half we showed we can dig in and grind, when you are not at your best to stand strong and limit the opponent.

“I said to the players at half-time: “We have to do it again in the second half and chances will come our way’. Four minutes into the second half we had spent three and a half minutes in their final third and then we are 1-0 down. That’s not acceptable.

“We have to find a way away from home to be better for 90 minutes – not just 45.”

Millwall had to wait until the second half of last season to win on the road and then went on a fine run – both home and away – which propelled them so close to the top six.

Asked about the away form mentally affecting his squad, Harris replied: “It won’t. We went a long time last season not winning away. We can’t overthink it, that’s for sure.

“Today was a step back after 1-0 points from 15 games. It’s up to me to analyse on it and make us better.”

IMAGE BY BRIAN TONKS