Gary Rowett wants Millwall away form to improve – but explains why it is not a major concern
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Gary Rowett says he is “not overly-concerned” with Millwall’s away form.
The new Lions chief suffered his first defeat last weekend as the South London club slipped to a 2-1 loss at Reading.
But Rowett enjoyed an excellent first match in charge at The Den as Millwall ran out emphatic and impressive winners over Stoke City.
He will be hoping his side can claim another three points on Saturday in the derby against Charlton.
Rowett has spoken about changing Millwall’s approach in away matches. They did not win on the road last season until New Year’s Day – at rock bottom Ipswich.
The Lions have taken four points from a possible 24 on their travels this time around.
“It’s always hard because when you come into a new club you have ideas of things you want to do,” said Rowett, who succeeded Neil Harris in the Millwall hotseat last month.
“Sometimes within the first two or three weeks you feel some of those ideas could be effective and some may be difficult until you know the players a bit better and how they work.
“Our recent form is that we have won one and lost one. We played well in probably three halves of those games and probably not so well in one of the halves. And when I look back at Reading, there wasn’t an awful lot in the half. We actually didn’t play that badly, we had a spell of 10 minutes where we allowed Reading a little too much space and time.
“The first goal was a wonderful strike from a set-piece and the second goal comes from our poor decision-making when we’re playing out from the back.
“I don’t think there is a lot to be concerned about. I think the away form is more overall that it needs to improve.
“It’s about getting this game [Charlton] out of the way first.
“It would be nice to match the away form with the home form but at a club like Millwall, you’d like to hope your home form in front of your passionate fans is always probably going to be a little bit stronger. Because if you can’t have extra motivation for those games there is something wrong.
“I’m not overly-concerned with it at the moment.”
PICTURE BY BRIAN TONKS
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