‘Play-offs is definitely still a realistic target’ – Wes Harding in confident mood and cites Arsenal loanee’s past experience of Championship as a reason why

BY EDMUND BRACK AND RICHARD CAWLEY

Wes Harding believes reaching the play-offs is still an achievable goal after a change of form under head coach Joe Edwards has seen Millwall climb the Championship table over the festive period.

The Lions are one of the division’s in-form teams heading into tomorrow’s clash at home to Middlesbrough, with three wins on the bounce and a five-game unbeaten run.

Their upturn in results has moved them 10 points clear of the relegation zone and just eight points adrift of the play-offs.

Michael Carrick’s side will not be as fresh as their South London opponents after hosting Chelsea in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

After conceding 12 goals in six games before the goalless draw at Stoke before Christmas, Millwall have kept four clean sheets on the bounce during their recent run.

“I wouldn’t say it hasn’t clicked before but some things have to go your way in football – I remember a couple of games where you might block a shot in the box, it falls straight to them and they smash home a rebound – or referee decisions,” Harding told the South London Press.

“When you start to get results and things go your way, then you play with a freedom and confidence. I wouldn’t put it down to anything tactical and long may that continue.”

Millwall’s shutouts started with a stalemate at Stoke which Harding saw as a turning point.

Then came a 2-0 victory over QPR on Boxing Day.

“It was a pressure game,” said Harding. “There was pressure but we handled it well.

“Stoke wasn’t an amazing game (to watch). But we had conceded so many goals in the games leading up to it – for that one we felt solid.

“We have limited teams and it’s only been Stoke that was a bit of stalemate. We have created a lot of chances after that as well.

“It’s nice shutting the back door, but opening the front door as well has been really good. I just hope we can get some more goals.”

Millwall have been forced into another defensive change with Ryan Leonard coming off with a hamstring injury in the FA Cup loss to Leicester last weekend.

The former Sheffield United and Southend man is set to be out for around six weeks.

“I didn’t know he had injuries in the past so I didn’t realise how big this (his run of matches in the team) was for him,” said Leonard. “The lads then filled me in properly and I do feel bad for him.

“He has been solid and one of our most reliable players, so it’s sad to see him out. But I guess this is what you need a squad for. I hope it doesn’t affect us too badly – we have got a good group that is feeling positive.

“I’m hoping that and the good run we’re on will crowd out anything that would affect us on the pitch.”

Harding answers “definitely” when asked if finishing in the top six is still achievable.

He said: “Brooke (Norton-Cuffy) was with me at Rotherham until January and then he went to Coventry, who were lower down, and they ended up in the play-offs.

“Things change so quickly. I wasn’t fearful of us going down. It’s why I was happy to come to Millwall – it’s a solid Championship club that is looking up instead of down.

“I hope we can kick on and really threaten to get into the play-offs, which we’re capable of doing.”

Harding had been an ever-present in the side since former Everton and Chelsea assistant boss Edwards replaced Gary Rowett at The Den, but the 27-year-old missed the last two outings with a hamstring problem.

“It’s probably the first injury in my football career or the first time I haven’t been available for a matchday squad,” said Harding. “So it was quite frustrating but it’s understandable because we played so many games around the Christmas period.

“Because I knew that I’d only be out one or two games it wasn’t too bad. At least it wasn’t at the end of the season when you want to kick on. I think a reason I haven’t had injuries before is that my recovery has been good – getting in the ice baths and things like that.

“I also put it down to God’s grace because there are so many people of a similar age or even younger who have played a similar amount of games and get a lot of knocks.”

Harding has not even had a broken nose or lost teeth, quite often an occupational hazard of playing in the middle of a backline.

“I have only really been playing centre-back probably here at Millwall,” he said. “I played a lot as a wing-back at Rotherham and sometimes centre-half – it was constantly chopping and changing there. At Birmingham it was similar, I was a lot younger and so you just fill in where needed – mainly at right-back though.

“This is the first place I have played centre-back every single game. Right now I am really enjoying it there – I prefer it.”