Billy Mitchell has praise for Voglsammer and Flemming after Boxing Day knockout of Watford

Billy Mitchell labelled Andreas Voglsammer “one of the best finishers at the club” after the German scored his first goal in Millwall’s 2-0 away win against Watford on Boxing Day.

The Lions defeated the Hornets at Vicarage Road after goals from Voglsammer and Zian Flemming in either half.

Mitchell said: “He [Voglsammer] is one of the best finishers at the club, without a doubt. He strikes a lovely ball.

“It’s just been a matter of time, rather than a lack of quality. The gaffer mentioned it in an article earlier this week saying if he keeps getting in the right positions then one would come and that’s exactly what happened today. He was unlucky not to get one or two more as well.”

Since the World Cup break the Lions had picked up one point from the six available prior to the Watford match.

Mitchell said: “It was the perfect way to stop the rot really, wasn’t it? Not the best results in the last two games after having quite high hopes coming back from the World Cup break.

“That was the perfect way to put it right, it wasn’t an easy Boxing Day fixture, away to Watford. We knew what we had to do in order to try and get a result and we executed it pretty much to perfection.

“We knew that we had their number in some sense, but on the other hand we knew they’d probably come out fighting a little bit more because they had a point to prove [after last time] and didn’t want to get turned over in the same way today.

“From the first kick of the game we were on top of them, they didn’t really know how to handle it.

“It’s something they’ve worked on [for the second goal], aim for that back post with a load of pace, everyone running across the face of goal and if someone gets a touch great but if they don’t it’s going in anyway and that’s exactly what happened.

“He’s [Zian Flemming] been incredible, he’s our sort of talisman. Without stating the obvious we wouldn’t be where we are without him. I’m really happy for him.

“I didn’t really know what was going on [for the red card], I was more focused on the ball coming in the box and then I turned around and saw the ref draw the red card.

“I was just pleased that we had a goal already at that point because I was thinking ‘we find it really tough trying to break 10 men down’.

“The fact that we could dictate the game from then on without worrying about having to score was a good thing.

“At times we could’ve potentially used the ball a little bit better and found the extra man and made the game a little bit easier for ourselves but we got the job done in the end.”

Romain Esse came on for the final few minutes of the match to make his Championship debut.

Mitchell said: “He’s deserved it, he’s been phenomenal in training. He’s a really great lad – great attitude, unbelievable technical ability and he’s shown all of us what he’s about in training recently so I’m really, really pleased for him.

“There’s many ways to do it [break into the first-team]. He’s got all the characteristics to be an exceptional player and I’m really hope for his sake, and our sake, he gets a few more minutes.”