Millwall boss Gary Rowett reveals the big positives from switch of formation at Swansea City

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Gary Rowett saw plenty to like from his new-look away formation for Millwall as they recorded their first Championship win of the season on the road.

The Lions chief went with a 5-2-3 set up at Swansea City with Jed Wallace’s free-kick goal securing a totally merited three points.

It was only a fourth away league success in 2019. Millwall had to wait until New Year’s Day to record their first in the 2018-19 campaign.

“I spoke to the board when I was interviewed for the job and I felt away from home we needed to do something different,” said Rowett. “Just from a psychological perspective – to give the players something different to think about, to take the shift away from what they’d done previously.

“They haven’t been that far away – there are not many [away] games they have been out of it.

“The challenge this week was do we do it? It would have been far easier to block the middle of the pitch up against the likes of Swansea, who have got good rotation, good movement and good front players who can hurt you.

“The back five and midfield two showed great discipline and a very good Swansea side struggled to break us down at home.

“When you play a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 then the wingers can almost end up as full-backs – you end up with a back six. So we felt if you end up as a back six most of the time, then why not start with a back five? Connor Mahoney was excellent when he came in today. I felt he and Jed had the quality to get us up the pitch and if you play it really well then it’s actually a very positive formation.

“You have a front three to press whereas most of the time you have a front two.”

Millwall were without Jayson Molumby, who came off with a knock last Tuesday for the Republic of Ireland U21s. But the midfielder has a chance of returning for tonight’s home game against Wigan Athletic. Ben Thompson became a dad at 5am on Friday.

“We had a few problems in the week,” said Rowett. “Thommo had to come down this morning [Saturday], it was always going to be difficult for him. Fergie [Shane Ferguson] picked up a knock yesterday [Friday] which meant we were really limited to what we could do. But we worked on a five [at the back] all international break. I have to say there were some really good signs where I can see it helping us away from home.

“We worked it really well in the pockets. We pressed too high at times and that allowed them to play through. But it’s a game where we’ve had the best opportunities. We’ve had to defend with a lot of resolute blocks but I don’t think they caused us too many problems. We had the better chances overall and possibly should’ve had a penalty when Jiri [Skalak] was pulled back – it looked a clear one.

“I said to the players that it won’t matter what you play unless you leave it all out on the pitch and give everything, not use any excuses. Our fans were brilliant and they deserved to see that type of energy.

“There is no point coming away to Swansea, a long journey, and then not backing it up with a performance on Tuesday.

“It is a game where there won’t be a huge away following and we have to make our own atmosphere with our fans. It’s important we put in a vibrant performance and sometimes that is a challenge after such a high, with the result and the energy expended.

“We’ll have to make some changes for Tuesday. The players coming in need to do as good a job as the players did today.”

PICTURES BY BRIAN TONKS