Millwall boss pleased with away form ahead of tough Championship end of season fixture list

Millwall head coach Alex Neil believes his side’s style of play is profiting from playing away from The Den.

Since taking charge in December, the Scot has won five of his nine away matches, highlighting the Lions’ ability to thrive on the road.

Millwall face a tough end to the season, with all five of their remaining away games coming against teams currently in the top eight.

Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Watford kept their faint play-off hopes alive, but they remain seven points adrift of the top six with a challenging run ahead which includes league leaders Leeds on Wednesday as well as trips to Sheffield United and Burnley to prepare for. 

“When we are away from home, teams come out and the onus is on them to beat us,” Neil said. “I think when Millwall has been relied on to go and break a team down, it’s never been our strength.

“Playing away from home in that sense probably helps us a little bit, as they think they should be dominant, and that gives us space to exploit. We are good in transition and on the counter. We have pace in certain areas, and more importantly, I think we are aggressive in those places in order to turn the ball over.”

Aidomo Emakhu made his first league start of the year at Vicarage Road and played a key role in Millwall’s comeback, providing the assist for Casper De Norre’s equaliser.

Asked for his assessment of the Irishman’s performance, Neil said: “First half, the full-back got beyond him too many times, he didn’t match him.

“That’s not a criticism of him either, that’s just what happened. I said that to him at half-time. What he does is create that moment – he gets the assist, and we get back into the game. That’s what he’s on the team for.

“Credit to him – second half he influenced the game. He created that assist that we needed when he had the opportunity.”

PICTURE: BRIAN TONKS