Rotherham boss Taylor on Den defeat and former Charlton striker’s big chance in first half at Millwall

Rotherham United manager Matt Taylor was left bemoaning his side’s start in yesterday’s 3-0 loss at Millwall.

The Lions took an early lead when Tom Bradshaw headed in Callum Styles’ free-kick.

Millwall were dominant throughout, with 11 efforts on target and 27 chances in total, but only added a second after 66 minutes when Bradshaw’s shot deflected off Cameron Humphreys and past Millers stopper Viktor Johansson.

Bradshaw added a third on 81 minutes, finishing off from close range after Johansson initially kept out Andreas Voglsammer’s shot.

“It was a poor start to the game,” said former Charlton centre-back Taylor. “In the position we’re in at the moment, we’ve got to give ourselves a bit of a chance for longer to hold on to something.

“It was a free-kick, mid-third, a ball into our box in the first five minutes of the game and their player got there first. That was a pattern which started the game – they were brighter and sharper to the ball. [They won] a lot more second balls.

“We actually got better as the first half went on and had a really good chance. That doesn’t go in and then the second half materialises after another bright start to make it a disappointing end to the game. We ended up being a toothless team, but that’s also because we haven’t got many attacking players on that pitch.

“It [the transfer window] is open today. We’ve got to make sure they [new signings] make us better – a bit of experience, a bit of body-hardenened bodies and minds is what we need. We’ve also got an injury list where they are not going to be forever, they will come back and effect it at some stage.

“In terms of where we are team-wise and squad-wise, hopefully this is the weakest we will be.

“We need to improve [the squad] but we also need to improve our game understanding and game execution – then they’ll get the confidence off the back of that.”

The defeat would have been heavier but for the heroics of Johansson.

“He’s been our best player throughout the season,” said Taylor. “He’s been our consistent performer. Where we’d be without Viktor is a different question.

“We’ve always said if your goalkeeper is your best player, consistently, it shows the weaknesses elsewhere in the team. We can’t hide away from that fact. He has been outstanding and he was again today.”

Former Addicks striker Conor Washington had a chance to level shortly before half-time. The Northern Ireland international went past Bart Bialkowski but lashed over, going for power with Jake Cooper attempting to guard the net.

Taylor said: “It’s an open goal. Can I blame Conor? No. He’s trying his hardest. He’s had to go high because there is a defender on the line. Poor execution in that moment but he got in for that chance. That might have given us a bit more belief.

“We started the second half quite brightly but the second goal is where we are at at this moment – probably a bit of a cheap giveaway from us in an attacking sense. One long ball into our backline, the header into the middle of the pitch and, no disrespect to the lad [Zian Flemming], he has kicked it in the air. He’s managed to control the ball and a deflection, which happens in the situation we’re in at the moment.

“You have to be better in those moments.”