Ryan Leonard: Millwall full of belief – it was a proper atmosphere at The Den for Norwich win

Ryan Leonard reckons that Millwall are full of confidence after back-to-back Championship wins and a third clean sheet on the bounce.

The Lions beat Norwich City 1-0 last night to end 2023 on a high.

“The atmosphere in the changing room is nice,” said Leonard. “Two wins in three days is something we’ve been working hard towards. It is a result that is really due to all the hard work that has been put in.

“It’s a win that has been coming. We’ve been a lot more solid defensively and there have been moments on the counter-attack and possession where we have created some really good chances.

“Everyone knows how the Den can be. When the fans get behind you they can be an extra man. It was one of those where it was a really good atmosphere on Friday night.

“It gives you that belief after getting a win after a long time without one. It was a proper Friday night at The Den.

“We’ve been close the last few weeks. We’ve started to find our feet a little bit more. We didn’t have a lot of possession but we created a lot of chances, we were a lot more careful on the ball and played some good stuff.

Millwall will be without George Saville for the New Year’s Day trip to Bristol City after he was red carded for bringing down Jon Rowe to prevent a City counter attack.

Saville will be banned for three matches unless the Lions look to appeal referee Dean Whitestone’s decision.

“It was one of those where Sav’s tried to make a last-ditch tackle for the ball,” said Leonard. “I don’t know how the referee has perceived it. We all know Sav – he is a whole-hearted player who gives 100 per cent.

“He has tried to nick the ball and completely missed it. Going down to 10 men we saw the game out relatively well. We restricted them to a few crosses and corners at the end.”

The Lions have also restricted Cardiff, QPR and Norwich to very few openings.

“Just belief,” said Leonard, when asked why is has clicked defensively. “The games before that were just incidents where we conceded out of nothing. The Huddersfield game was a last-minute penalty. The game before that against Sunderland was a penalty as well. We have been there or thereabouts defensively.

“The strikers and wingers put a hell of a shift in tonight. So it’s not just us lads at the back. The ones ahead have set a real foundation and then on the regain they have really hurt teams as well. A lot of the credit goes to them.”