Millwall boss asked about half-time change at Southampton that saw striker switch made

Neil Harris has explained why he took Michael Obafemi off at half-time in Millwall’s 2-1 win at Southampton.

The Burnley striker, who signed on loan for the Lions in the winter transfer window, started at St Mary’s Stadium and it was his shot which was ruled to have been handled – Zian Flemming converting from the penalty spot.

But Obafemi was replaced by Tom Bradshaw at the start of the season half.

Asked about that decision, Millwall head coach Harris said: “Just freshness. Michael was excellent first half – he’s not played a lot of football, he has been ill last week.

“I just thought it was a little bit reactive at times. There is more sharpness to come from him. He’d have loved to have gone for another five or 10 minutes, to get it in the legs. It was a really tight call between the two of them (about who started).

“We were leading 2-1 at half-time and Michael had done his job for the team to get us in front. I wouldn’t have pushed him past 55 minutes because it would have been too risky.

“I just felt I’d go with a little more experience in Tom. I thought we were going to spend so much time without the ball and Tom Bradshaw, over the years, has been one of the best defensive centre-forwards in the division – and you can play up to him as well.”