Blackburn Rovers key man: We’ll shut out Den hostility for crunch Millwall match

BY EDMUND BRACK

Blackburn Rovers attacker Sam Szmodics wants them to block out the Den crowd for Monday’s huge clash with Millwall.

Blackburn have to win in SE16 to stand any chance of taking the final Championship play-off spot.

They missed the chance to go level on points with the Lions on Monday after they drew 1-1 with third-placed Luton Town at Ewood Park.

Millwall are two points clear of Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, who are all level on 66 points.

If Blackburn do win then their inferior goal difference means they have to hope that Sunderland and West Brom fail to beat Preston North End and Swansea City respectively.

“We’re relying on other people now,” admitted Szmodics, 27.

“We could be sat here completely out of it, but we have a chance and we have to take that chance. We’ll have to do it the hard way, but I speak for all the boys that we still believe we can go to Millwall and win, as they will.

“Millwall is a tough place to go. It’s a hostile place, I’ve played there a couple of times.

“We have to go and play the game, not the occasion.

“We know Millwall are a good physical team and we have to match them in every way that we have done this season.

“It’s something we’re going to have to do – ignore the crowd. The Den is hostile and not a nice place to go as an opponent and we have to ignore that and play our football like we have all season.”