Millwall manager Neil Harris on 2-2 draw with Hull City – questions quality of defending in Den draw

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris was unhappy with his side’s defending after Millwall’s 2-2 draw at home to Hull City today.

“We dominated from start to finish – shots count, set-pieces, crosses, aerial duels, foot races, tackles and shots on goal,” said the Lions chief.

“We dominated everything. But the scoreline says it was 2-2. We can’t keep scoring goals at one end and conceding at the other.

“We have to get back to zeros and ones. We conceded one last week and it got us an excellent point at Bristol City. We’ve got to get back to that. To come from behind at The Den is not always easy.

“It is two free headers in our penalty area [to make it 2-2]. I can’t remember a free header for Hull all afternoon [before that]. Individually that’s not acceptable.

“Mentally it has got to be better when we are defending – my man doesn’t touch on the ball and my man doesn’t score. I learned that from a very early age.

“The first goal was poor. A player switches off but he put his hand up he switches off for the goal. The second one was just too easy.”

Harris pointed out that it is the same Millwall back five which was one of the meanest defences in the Championship last season.

So what has changed?

“Mindset would be one thing,” said Harris. “Confidence…certainly.

“We scored two goals and could’ve had more. We could have had a little more end product in the final third. Hull were building no pressure and creating no chances.

“That’s the only disappointment today. If someone bends one in the top corner from 25 yards and you’re opened up by some really good play….but we’re not conceding goals like that. We are conceding goals that are avoidable. The second goal today was certainly avoidable.”

Aiden O’Brien got his first Championship goal since the opening day of the season.

“He grew into the game,” said Harris. “I thought he wasn’t at his best in the first half. In the second half a lot of good stuff came through him.

“He set Jed up for a chance just before he scored a good goal with his left foot.

“Lee Gregory was the best player on the pitch by a mile. I thought he was outstanding. There were so many good things about our game and play – but the frustration is not picking up three points.”