Bench options key for Millwall boss Neil Harris as Bristol City subs make telling contribution
Neil Harris was left frustrated with Millwall’s defending as for the second week running – despite a spirited comeback – they ended up on the losing side.
City fought back as second-half substitutes Fally Mayulu and Scott Twine sealed all three points for the home side to leave Millwall pointless from two games despite scoring five goals.
“I wasn’t happy with the defending,” said Harris. “We gave some poor goals away but we’ve got back to 3-2 up.
“Praise my players for that. We get to 77 minutes and we were really comfortable second half – by far the better team. Two-nil down, you get 3-2 up and get a bit leggy, you then need impact from the bench. Look what Bristol City bring off their bench and the impact it makes on the game and that’s the difference at this level.
“They brought on two good players, two good players that changed the game. A moment of quality, can we defend better? Yes – all four goals we can defend better. I’ve watched them back, we were off it. That’s seven poor goals that we have given away in two games, that’s not acceptable. We’ve scored five league goals and haven’t got a point yet. That’s really hard to take.”
On the positives the Lions head coach said: “Three good goals, I’m pleased for the three goalscorers.
“Romain scored again, he is a 19-year-old that’s come through our system. He’s a great kid and he’s been a real spark for us. Duncan Watmore again was outstanding – goal threat and great goal. Tom Bradshaw is off the mark, that’s important for a striker to get off the mark, so pleased for him.
“We’ve dealt with the adversity of going behind to get ourselves 3-2 up and looking comfortable at 75 minutes. Obviously it’s a real kick in the teeth, apart from two errors that led to goals we looked comfortable and the impact from the two benches affects the game.”