Millwall boss Gary Rowett praises spirit and graft of his squad despite coming up short on painful final day in Championship
Gary Rowett felt his Millwall squad “gave everything they could” despite missing out on a Championship play-off place.
The Lions knew only a win would guarantee them a play-off place, otherwise they would be reliant on other results.
But Blackburn Rovers won 3-2 at The Den to ensure that the South Londoners, in one of the box seats for so much of the campaign, finished eighth.
And Millwall were 3-1 ahead going into the second period with Duncan Watmore twice netting and Oliver Burke, one of two changes made by Rowett, also producing an excellent finish across Aynsley Pears.
Adam Wharton had made it 1-1 in the 22nd minute with a strike from the edge of the box.
Blackburn cut the deficit in the 51st minute when Joe Rankin-Costello fired in after Ben Brereton Diaz’s low free-kick was only parried by Lions keeper George Long.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Brereton Diaz produced an excellent finish, again from the edge of the box, to make it 3-3 shortly after the hour mark. And the Chilean international also struck the upright after that as Millwall were left chasing a fourth goal to move back in front – Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Preston meaning they had to gamble.
But Brereton Diaz, who has reportedly agreed a pre-contract with Villarreal when his Blackburn deal expires at the end of June, slid home from close range from Sammie Szmodics low cross from the right of the penalty area.
The Den rapidly emptied, only a small amount of supporters waiting until after the final whistle to applaud the Millwall players – who looked just as stunned as the fanbase at the way their play-off prospects were wrecked.
“I genuinely don’t think the team could’ve given any more over the course of the season,” said Rowett. “I don’t think they could have worked any harder or been any more together.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“They have been so spirited. What we need to do is go and improve again and push on again – identify areas perhaps we’ve been a little problematic during the season and we need to strengthen. It’s as simple as that.
“Sometimes in games like this you learn about little bits you need in the team.
“I thought we were capable of it. I still think we should have been capable of it but we have to accept we got beat. The fourth goal didn’t really matter. It was immaterial. It was the third goal. We knew the other results and that Sunderland were 3-0 up – so ultimately we had to win the game. It was either going to be our fourth goal or their fourth goal and it looked more likely to be their fourth goal in the closing stages.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD AND PA
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Absolute rubbish talk yet again from the manager. It was the worst second half performance I have ever seen. The club – players and manager threw it away – they should be ashamed – not proud.
Also the behaviour (foul gesticulations) and language of Burey towards the fans was disgraceful.
He should never be allowed to wear a Millwall shirt again……He is not good enough and needs to grow up now that he is in a mens team – not a boys team.