‘I hope the fans enjoy their trip home’ – Millwall boss on not letting their season ‘drift’

Alex Neil has stressed the importance of Millwall’s victory at Derby County on Saturday lunchtime.

It was a vital win for the Lions as it kept them in touch with the Championship play-off places – closing the gap to four points ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.

Lions head coach Neil told Millwall TV: “The last thing we want is for the season to drift. We want to keep it alive, we want something to play for – we want to be in the mix for things.

“We know we’ve got some really difficult fixtures coming up so today, for me, was really important that we got those three points and keep ourselves in touch with the teams above us.

“I’ve been impressed with the squad in general – their appetite, their application and how much they care for each other and the club. You don’t get that everywhere and sometimes when you’ve got it you take it for granted.

“We shouldn’t, so I’m delighted with how the guys have attacked every match.”

The fixture calendar has not been kind to Millwall in terms of away fixtures – an FA Cup tie at Leeds United has been followed by trips to Plymouth, Preston and Derby County.

The Lions had 1,300 fans at Pride Park.

“There’s nothing better when you are playing big games,” said Neil. “I was delighted coming here today – it makes by job easier getting the players up for it. You walk in and there’s 30,000 here – they are all screaming and shouting. They want their team to win. If you can’t get up for that, then you’re never going to be prepared.

“Games like today are for the fans, aren’t they? They pay their hard-earned money, they travel a long way and there’s nothing better than a late winner because you go home delighted. They will be on the bus or the train, having their beers or whatever they are drinking, and I hope they enjoy it.

“We’ve been very good on the road of late, apart from Plymouth. If you look at the trips they’ve made. We had won one away prior to me coming here – now we’ve won four.”