Millwall boss Rowett: I’m focused on getting the best out of the players

Gary Rowett says his sole focus is getting the best out of his Millwall squad – and admitted that wasn’t happening after today’s 2-1 loss to Coventry City.

The Lions are 17th in the Championship standings after suffering a sixth reverse of the campaign.

A Jake Cooper own goal and Gustavo Hamer’s strike – which took a nick off the same Millwall player – had the hosts in trouble by the break.

And although Jed Wallace’s penalty cut the deficit 16 minutes from the end of normal time, Rowett admitted the performance was not acceptable.

The Lions have taken eight points from their last 10 matches. And they have banked 10 from a possible 33 at The Den. But they are still above the likes of big-spending Forest and Derby County.

Rowett said: “There’s loads of time left and there are loads of teams below us in the division, who are having a tougher time than us.

“We’ve got games in hand – we’ve just got to improve our performance. That’s all I’m focused on. I’m focused on getting the best out of the players – I don’t feel I’m doing that at the moment. I’ve got to look at the reasons why.

“If we’d started like our second half performance we’d have had the chance of getting something out of the game.

“We’ve got the players to do it but some of them need to step up and start performing on a more regular basis.”