Millwall boss Neil Harris on their Championship run-in – with four promotion-chasers left to play in final eight matches

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall’s final eight Championship games sees them play four of the sides in the top six – but Neil Harris reckons no run-in is ever easy.

The Lions host fourth-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

And after next week’s home game against QPR they follow up with Sheffield United, battling Leeds for the second automatic promotion spot.

Millwall still have Aston Villa (away) and Sheffield United (home) to go – with both in the play-off positions.

“Games at this stage of the season are always difficult,” said Harris. “What’s an easy fixture? You don’t know until you go out on the pitch.

“Over the course of the 46 games you have to play everyone twice. You don’t look too far ahead.

“What is most important is that we have got five games out of those eight at home. That’s the key thing. That’s where we have to try and amass our points, in our home fixtures.

“Sometimes you’re better playing teams at the top because they are more nervy – they need the points as much as you do. Sometimes it is better to play teams who have not got anything to play for and might not be as driven as you are when still chasing points.

“It’s swings and roundabouts. We can only control ourselves and our performance. We try and plan for the opposition as diligently and organised as possible.

“That’s what we’ve done with West Brom. We have watched their previous games. They have had three wins in a row but haven’t necessarily deserved all of them – but they’ve got the points on board.

“They are difficult opposition. They have got a lot of players who have played a lot of football in the Premier League.

“I’m looking at the game with anticipation. Yes, for everbody there is some nerves around – because it is an important game and an important stage of the season. But we have to embrace that. We’re the underdog again and have to rise to the challenge.”