‘Fans can give us extra fire’ – Casper De Norre hoping Millwall’s play-off push gathers momentum
Josh Coburn’s goal earned the Lions a 1-0 victory at high-flying Sheffield United. Alex Neil’s side have banked nine points from a possible 12 to make the top-six look a more realistic proposition.
Asked about how big an achievement it would be to finish in the play-off zone, Belgian midfielder De Norre said: “It would definitely mean a lot because if you are realistic, for Millwall, I don’t think you can get top two.
“I also think it would also mean a lot for the fans.
“It gives something extra. Now the last games, people are getting a little bit tired – it has been a long season – but it gives you that little extra fire and the emotions are a little higher.
“These are important games and that’s what we all play football for, really.”
Millwall have three of their five remaining matches at The Den, starting with the visit of play-off rivals Middlesbrough tomorrow.
“It is going to be very important to have the support,” said De Norre. “It is a huge game.
“Now you need that extra fire from the fans – that extra support – to give you that five per cent extra or to help make that one final sprint to block a ball or try to score a goal.
“It was a really good performance at Sheffield United and you could really feel it after the game that it is a real confidence booster going forward, a little more belief that we are really in it now.
“It’s nice that we still have something to play for. It’s a little bit weird because we have always been in-between (for the play-offs) – maybe too far off…but are we really? Now is the first time I think you can say we are really in it now. Everyone could feel it after the game – that Saturday was going to be a big one.
“It is such a weird competition, the Championship. It was the same last year when we were in the relegation fight a little bit and all of a sudden the teams at the bottom started to win and those at the top or in the play-offs started losing or drawing.
“Sometimes the Championship is such an emotional rollercoaster. In two weeks everything can change – three wins out of four and then you are three points off the play-off places (after Tuesday’s round of fixtures).
“It also makes it nice because there is always a chance. You can never give up because anything can happen.”