Millwall keeper Ben Amos sets minimum points target from Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa games

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Ben Amos has targeted a minimum of four points from Millwall’s next two matches – starting with Wednesday night’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

The Lions have lost six of their last seven Championship matches and are 23rd in the table.

Millwall follow up their midweek journey to the City Ground with Aston Villa at The Den.

Lions boss Neil Harris was critical of his side once again relinquishing a lead in the closing stages as they were beaten 3-2 by Sheffield United at the weekend. 

“He’ll always tell us how it is and at the moment we need a reaction,” said goalkeeper Amos. “We need to change how things are going for us, which we tried to do the best we possibly could.

“Again [referee] decisions didn’t go for us, but we need to take responsibility for the goals. It’s a big week for us. We need to at pick up at least four points from the next two games – if not maximum points – and get ourselves up the table. Change that momentum.”

Millwall have taken one point since August 18.

Asked how the South Londoners get out of their rut, Amos replied: “Just being more consistent and consistently doing the things we’re good at. 

“Once we have a lead we need to hold it. It’s happened a couple of times where teams have scored late. I don’t know if that’s where we have given so much that we’re holding on for the last 20 minutes. 

“I believe it will come, because we’re always in games – there have not been many where I felt we’ve never got a chance of picking something up. In that respect it is positive, that you’re not getting beaten 4-0 every week. We’re always in and amongst it. We need to tighten the screw in the next couple of games.

“It’s always disappointing after a defeat but I try to keep myself steady whether we win or lose. It won’t change my mindset, it’s the same every day – coming in trying to improve in training. I give my best every day and hopefully that sees us pick up points and go on a run from now. 

“I’m happy we’ve got a game coming up quickly. It’s tough when you lose and have got a week before you can put it right.”

Amos has kept only one clean sheet – his debut against Gillingham in the EFL Cup – but could not be faulted at the weekend.

His excellent first-half penalty save from Billy Sharp with the scores at 0-0 was a highlight. 

“It always looks better when it hits the woodwork,” said Amos. “Me and LT [Lee Turner, goalkeeping coach] do our homework, I won’t say too much on that! You make a penalty save and you hope it gets your team some points.

“We came out really well in the second half and flicked the game on its head – it felt like we had momentum and, if anything, that we were going to get another goal to kill the game off. The decision goes against us and then I don’t know if we get sucker-punched perhaps trying to go for the win.

“If you look at the table it [the penalty save] means nothing. I can take something [out of it], I do the best I possibly can. Hopefully that influences results but unfortunately today it hasn’t.

“There were good moments in the game – we scored a great set-piece and Greggs [Lee Gregory] has scored another good goal. So the fact is we’re scoring goals at home. You score two at home then you expect to get something from the game. 

“The referee has had an influence on it. I haven’t seen the other goals back but there is maybe more we can do as a team to stay solid as the team was for the second half of last season.”

Referee Andrew Davies awarded Sheffield United two penalties – with David McGoldrick rifling in the second before also clipping in the winner.

“I’ve not seen them back and I don’t want to get myself in trouble commenting on them, but it did look harsh at the time,” said Amos. “You need those kind of decisions to go for you, especially the run we are on, and they didn’t on Saturday.”