“Disruptive” – Millwall assistant boss Adam Barrett admits preparations hampered by positive Covid-19 tests

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Adam Barrett has described Millwall’s recent Covid-19 cases as “disruptive” – as even he had to isolate despite producing a negative test result.

Lions manager Gary Rowett missed three matches after a positive result with technical coach Joe Carnall in the same boat.

Assistant boss Barrett took charge for the 1-1 draw with Barnsley but then had to lockdown himself for the fixtures against Preston, Huddersfield and Norwich – senior pros Alex Pearce and Shaun Williams deputising for the first two before Rowett returned at Carrow Road.

“Of course it is disruptive and throws your preparation out,” said the Millwall number two. “We lost the gaffer and a couple of other members of staff, and then I had to isolate because I’d been in contact with some that had tested positive.

“It gives you other issues. Every club at some point is going to be affected.

“It was a challenging period for us, not being able to be on the grass every day. Thankfully we didn’t have a lot of training days because it was play, recover and play again.

“The government and EFL rules meant I had no choice but to self-isolate, if you feel ill or have any of the symptoms you don’t mind so much. I’m not a great watcher away from it and you just felt a little bit helpless.

“They did a really good job and hooked us up to a live stream so me, the gaffer and Joe could all talk like we were sitting on the bench together.

“But when you’re not there it is very difficult to get the same feel for it when you’re watching on a screen, sometimes the picture might break up a little bit or you get a little delay. It’s not ideal.

“You’ve got to get on with it. Since I’ve been here there has been a great group of staff and everyone is willing to muck in. We’re delighted we came through it the way we did.

“Hopefully now we can move forward and there looks like there might be some light at the end of the tunnel with a possible vaccine – that will make things a lot more positive on that front going into next year.”