Lions boss gives detailed answer on formation approach – and why major change isn’t required

Gary Rowett has given a detailed answer on Millwall’s formation and reckons that their hugely impressive home form over an extended period is proof as to why a wholesale change is not required.

The Lions boss switched to a 5-2-1-2 formation for Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Blackpool.

“I’ll be really honest, I was toying with switching to a four but I didn’t think we had the time to do the work on it,” said Rowett. “I just felt ‘let’s do something slightly different’. George Honeyman naturally plays centrally better. Vogey has come into the game and played quite a few games in quick succession, I felt it would benefit him to come on and impact the game if we needed it.

“George just opens space in there by running.

“I said it before, I’m not particularly wed to a system. It [five at the back] is something that has worked quite well for us over a long period of time. But it only works well if your players perform and show composure on the ball. Once you make two, three passes in the build up then it allows you to get your wing-backs a little bit higher, and it allows your 10 to start linking with the two forwards.

“We did that a little bit better today, one of the midfielders joined in and tried to make that extra attacking player as well. But there are other games it won’t work, that’s football.

“We were brave second half. It’s a system where you have to pass the ball and we did that in the right areas. Then we started going forward into the strikers a little earlier – with quality. And that’s the key, it’s got to be with quality.”

The international break would allow Rowett extra time on the training ground if he did feel the need to go to a back four

But Millwall have now taken the most Championship home points (57) since the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

“I don’t think we have to tinker too much,” said Rowett. “I understand that you go and lose to QPR and everyone feels horrendous about it and everyone is bored of what they are seeing, that’s just human nature. I’ve been here three years – I can’t change that unfortunately – I’ve got to do what I believe in and what I feel is right.

“If that is changing to a back four then it is changing to a back four, if it’s keeping a back five then it’s keeping a back five. The system is less important than the mentality and attitude which we play it. Second half we moved the ball well and got into great areas – Scottie Malone ends up looking like a wide left because we’re passing the ball, he’s releasing the handbrake and getting into those areas.

“We always have to be flexible to win games. I don’t think we’re ever in a situation like some teams who turn up and just hope individuals will have the quality to win you the game – we have to work hard as a team to do that.”