With Millwall facing Easter Weekend games against both Bradford City and Burton Albion, manager Neil Harris and Mark Beevers have both previewed the coming encounters.
Beginning with Harris, he was quoted by News at Den as saying that he knew the two games could well define Millwall’s season and our hopes of a Play Off spot looking to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking and the quick turn around of games would be ‘gruelling’ for the squad, but he wanted to fans to create a very ‘hostile’ environment to help drive the side on.
With Bradford on Saturday before the Sky Sports encounter against Burton on Monday, the gaffer explained in his pre game press conference.
‘With nine games to go every game is vital. Two games in three days is gruelling, especially at this stage of the season, but we`ve got the physical and mental strength to deal with it. Bradford`s a long way to go but it`s a good place to play, they have a good following. The boys will be well looked after recovery-wise, we`ll be in Sunday to make sure everybody`s fit and healthy. Monday being an evening kick-off gives us that extra few hours to prepare. Come Monday night at seven forty-five, we`ll be ready.’
With Lee Gregory Byron Webster both picking up knocks in the one nil victory over Sheffield United last weekend, Harris confirmed he had no concerns over them and that also we had no new issues to deal with – as obviously we are minus David Forde, Jimmy Abdou and Shane Ferguson who are on international duty anyway.
‘They`re strong boys, strong northern lads. They got a couple of whacks but it was a physical game. Sheffield United changed their side from the one that won 3-0 (Oldham) to combat us physically. That`s a massive compliment for us. It was a typical late-season battle between two good teams with a huge three points at stake. There were a lot of tough tackles but the referee let it flow which I was pleased with. The guys came through with flying colours.’
As for the atmosphere and trip to Valley Parade and then the return to the Den for what he expects will be two physical and tough contests, he added.
‘Barring Charlton last season, which was a cracking atmosphere, it was certainly the loudest and most hostile The Den has been for the last couple of seasons. I`ve spoken about wanting my players to have the opportunity to experience that and feel the pride and privilege of playing in that atmosphere representing the fans. They finally got to do that and you saw the reaction. It wasn`t the best performance of the season but it was certainly one of our most competitive. We heard the captain talking about how in the last 10 minutes it was so important that the fans supported the boys, and it`s true. I played so many games where it`s tight and you just need that little extra. The fans can drag you through. I was delighted with it and that`s the challenge, to help create that for the next nine fixtures.’
As for Beevers’ interview with the official website, he too was singing from the same hymnsheet in terms of ‘every point’ counting at this time of the year.
‘They are two massive games. We didn’t have the greatest of starts this season but the lads have pulled through and strung together a few good results. Every point matters at this stage and it is up to us to see how many we can get over the next nine games. We’re fifth in the League on merit. It isn’t by luck, and the lads have stuck together. Confidence is high in the group at the moment. Defensively we’ve been fantastic over the last few games and up top the lads have been putting them in the back of the net.’
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