Neil Harris: Millwall’s Christmas fixtures are “make or break”

BY JAKE SANDERS

Neil Harris described Millwall’s festive period as a “make or break” period in their season.

His side are still looking for their first away victory of the season after a second-half Saido Berahino header gave Stoke City a 1-0 win at the bet365 Stadium.

And after eight Championship games without a win, the Lions head into a busy Christmas and New Year period inside the relegation zone.

Millwall host fellow strugglers Reading on Boxing Day before a crucial clash with Nottingham Forest just three days later.

Harris said: “Winning games is the business we are in. But it is my job to make sure the players realise when they play well, and they don’t.

“And I have said to them downstairs, that is an excellent away performance that deserved more than it got.

“That is the level of performance that we have to put in next week because we have got three games that are going to make or break our season.

“The two home games are huge games. Reading at home is a six-pointer – at this stage of the season. And then Forest, and then we go to Ipswich for another six-pointer. We have got to take that level of performance – that second-half against Preston and the ability and confidence we have shown there into our two home games.”

IMAGES BY BRIAN TONKS