Millwall boss Rowett disappointed by first-half display in Charlton friendly before players ‘livened up’ after restart

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett described Millwall’s pre-season friendly with Charlton Athletic as “quite entertaining”.

The two South London rivals were pitted against each other on Tuesday evening as they both continue to prepare for the start of the new season in two weeks time. The Addicks found themselves 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Karoy Anderson and Charlie Kirk.

The Lions fired back after the break, Kevin Nisbet took his pre-season tally to five before Aidomo Emakhau levelled the scores with six minutes to play.

“From a fans’ perspective, quite entertaining,” said Rowett. “For a pre-season friendly, an element of atmosphere, you don’t always get the same type normally, I think both sets of fans gave that atmosphere.

“The first half was a bit disappointing. We didn’t play quickly enough, we didn’t move quickly enough, we played in straight lines, we were a little bit predictable and Charlton weren’t. They showed a level of composure, a level of quality that they needed and got into some good areas, scored some good goals.

“I still think those little transition goals – where they ran off the back of us – maybe highlights sometimes these games are not seen sometimes by players as important. That frustrates you as a manager, but you have to accept it’s not a league game where there’s three points on the line. Both managers and sets of players want to win but also understand there is a level of performance that is required and that is a bit more important.

“I think in the second half, we started to liven up a little bit. I thought Nizzy showed that high level finishing, he had half a yard and just touches it, knowing the defender is going to open his legs up to block it. He just pokes it through his legs into the bottom corner, it’s sublime quality and it is a better finish than it might have looked.

“First half, from a performance point of view, we weren’t happy. Of course you don’t want to be 2-0 down with the fans here. As a manager I have to see past that a little bit. We end up getting a draw out of it but for me it was bit more about learning from the lessons of the first half, not moving enough, not playing quickly enough, moving too slowly, side to side, back and forth.

“Whatever formation you play, if you do that you are going to cause yourself a problem and give the opposition a chance to go and press you. Second half was much better.”