Millwall boss has set-piece complaints – and felt Lions failed too often to pick right attacking choice

Millwall failed to make the most of decent attacking positions in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Barnsley as their unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end.

Lions manager Gary Rowett felt his team made too many wrong passing decisions in the final third as they lost for the first time in 10 league matches.

And he was also critical of the way in which Cauley Woodrow and Michal Helik netted for the in-form home outfit.

“With set-pieces we didn’t defend well enough in the first phase or the second phase. We lost the first header and then don’t react to the second ball.

“Regardless of whether we feel the first goal is offside it doesn’t really matter – you’ve got to do your job and not let someone run off us in the area so they are free to shoot. If you do that in any game in the Championship you give yourselves a mountain to climb.

“We have some really good moments ourselves. I picked out about 10 occasions when a simple ball would put us over the top of their defence. I’ve paused them and they are such simple opportunities.

“I’d say with Barnsley, on the run they are on, every single player ran and did everything they could to win the game. I looked at our performance and I felt one or two could’ve done more. They could’ve showed a little more energy and drive to out-run them.”