‘We should’ve played the first time’ – Millwall boss on rescheduled Blackburn match and claims there is no extra motivation

Millwall manager Gary Rowett reckons there is no extra motivation heading into the rearranged Blackburn Rovers fixture – but added the game should have been on last time.

The Lions’ game against Rovers was postponed last month due to an unplayable pitch surface.

The two clubs face each other on Tuesday night with Millwall now in striking distance of the play-off places after chaining together five straight Championship victories.

Rowett said: “We’ve now got to focus on the next game which is a tough away trip at Blackburn, that we probably shouldn’t be doing because we should’ve played the first game.

“I don’t think there’s extra motivation [for Blackburn], the players will be motivated anyway. The players were motivated to play the game on the day.

“They will go up their Tuesday and be motivated to play the game. Again, I don’t think that’s ever a massive issue for us.

“Maybe, if you ask the players they will have a little bit of extra motivation but I don’t think you think like that. We’ve just got to go there, prepare for Blackburn, who are a very good side.

“They’ve come out in defeat against a Fulham team today, they’ll be desperate to get back to some good form and keep them in the mix at home.

“We know we will have to perform really, really well to get a result.”