Bart Bialkowski in Reading admission as Millwall keeper talks about wait for an away victory plus Charlton derby

BY ALEX GRACE

Bartosz Bialkowski felt Reading did a “good job” on Millwall in the first half at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions were 2-0 down at the break and failed to register a single shot on target. But the Poland goalkeeper was encouraged by Millwall’s second-half performance – which saw Jed Wallace pull a goal back.

“I’m obviously disappointed because we lost the game – we killed ourselves in the first half. They have done a good job on us in the first half and we just couldn’t do anything. Second half when we scored we made them defend and that was better but it was a little too late.”

Millwall could have gone in at half time further behind. John Swift’s free-kick hit the crossbar before Bialkowski made a stunning save to deny Matt Mizaga.

Asked about the stop, the on-loan Ipswich Town stopper said: “It was just another reaction save really. You just try and save every single shot but sometimes you can’t. That’s my job. I’ve conceded two today – I’m disappointed but that’s football – you can’t do everything.”

Millwall face Charlton at The Den on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions have not lost to Charlton since 1996 – but Lee Bowyer’s side have made an impressive start to life in the Championship following promotion via the play-offs last season..

Asked if he thought there was extra pressure on the players to defend Millwall’s undefeated record, Bialkowski said: “We don’t feel pressure. We have been fantastic at home, we just need to transfer that form away from home as well. If we do that then we can compete against anyone and beat anyone.

“We have proven at home this year that if we do everything right then we are unplayable at times. It’s another good test for us, but there is a lot of positives to take away from that game today, especially in the second half, but we just need to do everything we need to do from the first whistle.

Millwall are yet to win away from home in the league this season.

The last time Millwall collected all three points on the road was a 2-0 win at Birmingham in March.

“There shouldn’t be any difference to be fair,” said Bialkowski. “It’s just facing another team, it shouldn’t matter if you play at home or away from home. Today it’s two good goals from their perspective but we feel that we should avoid these goals and learn the lessons. Hopefully the away win is coming soon.”