Millwall manager Gary Rowett explains thinking behind formation switch for Norwich City test

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett was happy with Millwall’s performance at Carrow Road.

The Lions claimed a point and a second successive clean sheet on their travels after a steely defensive display against Norwich City.

“I’d like us to use the ball better, when we did pass the ball we looked a much better team,” said Rowett. “But we didn’t pass it enough.

“A lot of their half-chances came from us losing possession in poor areas, and that was my disappointment. But they’re a good group and when they need to defend they’re very good at it.”

Rowett opted to start with a 5-3-2 formation with Jed Wallace partnering Jon Dadi-Bodvarsson up front.

“I thought if we started 5-2-3 they’d pick possession and holes around our midfield two,” he explained.

“You could see as soon as we did it they started to play a little bit wider. They’re very clever. Daniel [Farke, Norwich boss] knows exactly how to play against certain types of opponents. They’re very good at it. I thought it gave us a little bit of a foothold in the game.

“ I’d like us to have pressed with a bit more intensity for longer periods in the first half. I’d like us to have got out a little quicker and to intercept things a little bit earlier.

“When we did we got into some reasonable positions. But we fell down with a lack of composure at times. Just before half-time we had a 10 or 15-minute spell when it went from a tactical situation to where it looked like we were waiting for them to find a bit of quality. I don’t like that.

“I’d rather us be more proactive. So we changed to 5-2-3, pressed them a little bit better and got into some better positions.”