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Millwall boss Neil has praise for matchwinner Ivanovic and Bangura-Williams after 1-0 win at Portsmouth

Millwall head coach Alex Neil had plenty of praise for his players after their 1-0 win at Portsmouth tonight.

Serbian international striker Mihailo Ivanovic was once again the matchwinner for the second match in succession.

Young midfielder Ra’ees Bangura-Williams atoned for missing an early sitter by playing the pass through for Ivanovic to lift the ball beyond Pompey keeper Nicolas Schmid in the first half.

It proved to be the only goal with Millwall defending excellently as they came under heavy pressure in the second period.

Neil said: “Luton was probably a bit more controlled than tonight was. At Luton we created more chances and missed a penalty. There was quite a volume of chances there and we could’ve scored more goals.

“Tonight we had two unbelievable chances. The first one at the back post and then the goal. I didn’t think they had huge clear chances if I’m honest.

“I think there was one the lad fizzed across the goal and Joe (Bryan) blocked it at the back post. Off memory that is probably their best one.

2SA5T0F Millwall’s Mihailo Ivanovic scores their side’s first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Fratton Park, Portsmouth. Picture date: Tuesday January 28, 2025.

“Albeit I did think they played well. They dominated the game. It is difficult when you come away from home. They rested five players at the weekend going to West Brom and put them all back in the team tonight – they have obviously planned this game as even more important for them.

“From that perspective for our boys to dig in the way they did and get the result – defend their box the way they did – I was delighted.

“We spoke about how they were going to swing off the backline and we were going to end up one v one as a striker and the space was going to be in behind – so make sure you get the timing right. But Ra’ees’ pass was unreal. It splits the defence. Mihailo goes straight through and he had a lot of time to think about it – because he gets in behind quite early. Sometimes as a striker you want one or two steps and then finish. Whereas he has probably got to travel 15 yards with the ball.

“Your mind can play tricks on you at that point. To keep his composure and just lift it over the keeper’s shoulder, what it does show is the confidence he has currently got – how he is playing and contributing to the team.”

Bangura-Williams has been a bright spot for Millwall in recent weeks.

And the former Tooting & Mitcham player did not allow his early failure to score disrupt his game.

“He is supremely confident,” said Neil. “I spoke to him after the last game – he was disappointed with his first half. I shouted on to him: ‘It’s gone – let it go’ . It doesn’t affect him – he knows what he is doing.

“He understands and knows how much I trust him – hence the reason why he is playing. I have played him as a 10, I’ve played him off the right and off the left. He has literally played most positions behind the striker.

“He is fine. He won’t even think about it, that kid.”

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