‘First half we were f****** useless’ – Millwall boss Harris breaks down 1-1 draw against Sunderland
Neil Harris pulled no punches about the performance of his Millwall team in today’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland at The Den.
Femi Azeez’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured that the Lions extended their unbeaten run to eight matches but they needed a vastly-improved second-half display to wipe out Aaron Connolly’s early opener.
“First half I thought we were f****** useless,” said Harris. “I’d say it is probably the most disappointed I have been with my team since arriving at the club in February. All the things I talk about that a Millwall team should do, we didn’t do.
“We didn’t defend our box or mid third, we didn’t win our headers, we didn’t win our tackles, we didn’t win our set-plays and the goal was a shambles on the set-up from the set-play. We didn’t play forward or run forward. We passed the ball off the pitch. We lacked a real identity to what we are as a team. We didn’t look like a team that had been seven games unbeaten.
“We adjusted at half-time. The break at 41 minutes gave me a chance to do a little bit of technical detail to how I’d like us to play and the opportunity arose at half-time to change formation slightly and let the players have it.
“I’ve had my say how poor the first half was, now I’d like to praise the players for the leadership qualities, determination and desire – the whole football stadium – for the atmosphere in the second half. They fed off the quality of play we had. We looked like a team that could pass through and cut Sunderland open, we could play around the outside, run forward, play incisive passes and create chances. We could also run forward, play forward and pick up second balls.
“That is what a Millwall team should look like. We looked a real threat and forced Sunderland on to the back foot.
“Sometimes when you are chasing a game you can make bold decisions – throw on six attacking players at the end of it. But needs must at times. The impact from the subs was really impressive.”
The match had a length stoppage which saw the players leave the pitch. First a supporter needed medical attention in The Dockers Stand. But then another fan was unwell in the Barry Kitchener Stand.
“Let’s start with the most important thing – that both supporters make a full recovery,” said Harris, when he entered the media room for his post-match press conference.
“I want to not just praise my medical team, who were immense in their reaction, but also Sunderland’s club doctor as well. He went into the home end, the upper tier, to support one of our fans.
“That shows what football is all about. We’ve all come here today to watch a game of football and enjoy it. And nobody should be leaving in ambulances.
“I wish those two fans of our football club well.”
PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS