‘We need to do the basics better’ – Millwall midfielder reacts to the goals conceded at start of Championship campaign

George Saville has talked about Millwall “doing the basics better” after Saturday’s 4-3 defeat at Bristol City.

The Lions have lost their opening two Championship matches and shipped three goals in their opening day reverse at the hands of Watford at The Den.

Millwall fought back from 2-0 down at Ashton Gate to lead 3-2 with Romain Esse, Tom Bradshaw and Duncan Watmore on target in the second half.

But City substitutes Fally Mayulu and Scott Twine – a transfer target for the Lions before he moved from MK to Burnley – turned the contest around once more.

It means the South Londoners have conceded seven goals in two matches, with a defensively sound display in their EFL Cup win at Portsmouth sandwiched in between.

Saville told Millwall TV after the City loss: “As a Millwall team it’s unacceptable to be conceding goals like that. We base ourselves off being hard to beat and disciplined – being strong and aggressive. Individual errors are going to cost us at this level. Yeah, we fought back but we can’t keep giving teams headstarts when they are not playing any better than us. We’re just gifting goals.

“We need to do the basics better. It is about rolling our sleeves up. There have been some positive bits – there’s been some really good football, we’ve created a lot of chances and we’re scoring goals. Maybe last season we were creating less and just grinding results out.”

Asked about the lack of defensive tightness in the two Championship fixtures, Saville said: “I feel we’re not as aggressive as we should be in our box. We’re a little bit hesitant in a few areas but collectively all over the park. If we let them get in certain areas many times they are going to keep putting the ball in the box and you’re going to possibly make a mistake.”