Millwall play-off hero Steve Morison: Wigan and Blackpool can’t play defensively against Lions
Steve Morison has given his verdict on the Championship run-in – and reckons Wigan and Blackpool will have to attack Millwall.
The Lions lost 1-0 to Birmingham City on Tuesday night as they were unable to make heavy pressure tell at The Den.
Next up is a trip to rock bottom Wigan Athletic on Saturday followed by a Friday night away game at Blackpool, also deep in drop danger.
And Morison, who scored the Lions’ League One play-off final winner against Bradford City in 2017, reckons the duo’s urgency for points can be a positive for his old club.
“They have to win,” the former Wales international told Sky Sports. “They are both playing at home, so they can’t wait for Millwall to make a mistake and try and nick a goal.
“It was a tough game tonight because Birmingham didn’t need to come out of the traps – they could play their own game. Wigan can’t do that at the weekend. Neither can Blackpool on the Friday after. They have got to come out and hopefully that leaves the space and opportunities for Millwall to exploit.
“They (Wigan and Blackpool) have got to try and win their games, they have got no choice. If you look at the run-ins for all the teams (near the top), everyone is playing each other. The only team who are not playing anyone, until the last game of the season, is Millwall (at home to Blackburn). There are going to be twists and turns.
“They were missing that edge, in and around the penalty box. They created chances and they should’ve scored. The goalkeeper (Neil Etheridge) has been unbelievable in that second half.
“They kept pushing. There was only one team pushing. They got hit on the counter-attack a few times, which is going to happen – that’s the risk and reward. You can see the frustrations of the fans and the players, but they get back in the dressing room and dust themselves down. They know they have got to go again.
“They have got three cup finals. Two games against teams who are trying to stay up and they’ve got to push.”