Millwall striker has produced better performances in recent matches – as boss Rowett hails ‘character’

Millwall manager Gary Rowett reckons Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has improved the level of his performances in recent weeks.

The Icelandic international scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against QPR.

And Bodvarsson stuck his fingers in his ears as part of his celebration after getting criticism for heading a chance wide of the target earlier in the half.

Osman Kakay diverted the frontman’s shot past Rangers keeper Seny Dieng.

But Rowett felt Bodvarsson’s initial attempt was going to end his goal drought.

“When you look at it I think the finish is going in the bottom corner anyway – it looked like a good finish and no way that the keeper would have saved it with the pace on the ball.

“Jon is one that has had a tough time, as have quite a few of our strikers in terms of not getting on the scoresheet.

“You see it up and down the country that sometimes players get a bit of stick and they’ve got to use that positively and show a bit of character. He certainly did that with the goal.

“It got us back in the game and gave us at least a chance of trying to win the game. We tried to do that and ended up with virtually as many attacking players out there as we could.

“He’s needed that.

“If you look at some of our players, could you say they’ve performed well? I think you could. But statistically we’re short of goalscorers, we’re short of goals and we’re short of a bit of creativity in terms of assists.

“It’s something that everyone needs to step up and start to deliver. Jon did that Tuesday night. He’s having a period where he’s been better and much more influential in games.

“He’s had two or three appearances now that have been better – he was bright at Birmingham and Blackburn. Hopefully he can build on that.”