‘We go under a bit’ – Millwall head coach on supporters having ‘every right’ to express their anger

Joe Edwards says his Millwall side are “going under a bit” when they face adversity.

The Lions are facing a battle against relegation from the Championship and extended their winless run to seven matches – just one draw in that sequence – after today’s 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday at The Den.

Millwall’s players were met with an angry reaction when they left the pitch at half-time and there were even boos when they returned at the start of the second half.

“It is [tough] but, again, unfortunately it is one of the hazards of the job,” said head coach Edwards. “You choose to put yourself out there and get to live the dream, play football in front of people. When it goes well and the people support you and you get a lot of adulation it’s all great. But when you underperform, and people feel like you have let them down, they have got every right to voice and express that.

“You can see our team is playing with a lack of confidence. We continuously have these spells at The Den – a place we want to make a fortress and be hard for other teams to come and get something – we’re having moments where we go under a bit and don’t react well.

“We have to face up to that and deal with it better.”

Only QPR (14) and Rotherham (15) have taken fewer points at home than Millwall.

Asked if his squad find it difficult to play at The Den, Edwards said: “We talk a lot about us starting games well and not converting it etc. I’ve not heard a player say that – that we don’t like or find it hard playing at home.

“When we have a tough week, like we did with the first two, when we’re coming to play Sheffield Wednesday on a Saturday – to try and put it right – I did feel a belief and that this was an opportunity.

“I say it a lot about this group and I’ll stand by it – after a horrible night on Wednesday I then spent Thursday and Friday with them. They got together and had a meeting themselves, which is really productive, and we had meetings together. There is a lot of good intentions and the right things being said. Actions that would give you a feeling there is a group that really wants to believe in the opportunity to turn things around – but we’re not showing it on the pitch, it’s as simple as that.”