Manager Neil Harris has said he and the team are bouyant going into today’s game against Barnsley at Oakwell.
Making the trip to Lee Johnson’s side for the first game of 2016 on the back of the four nil victory over Southend United at Roots Hall in our last match, Harris told the official site that confidence was obviously high and we were going into the game looking for three points to close that gap further on the Play Off spots.
‘As you would expect after a win like that the players are buoyant. Even after the loss to Walsall there was still plenty of good spirit in the camp because there were a lot of positives to take from that game. But there’s no doubt that the Southend performance and result has given everyone a huge lift going into a couple of really tough away games. We have good ability in the squad and what we are striving to achieve is the total package – keeping clean sheets at one end and showing good quality in attack at the other. It’s not always possible to get both, certainly not on the same day, but that is what we are looking for. We are getting goals from all over the park which is a big plus point and there is good competition for places in the group. That is vital at this stage.’
With Barnsley struggling in 19th place in the League One table and only one point above the relegation spots, Harris said they couldn’t be underestimated as they are a tough side capable of performing better than they have done and he felt that was epitomised by the fact they have two wins out of their last three.
‘Barnsley are a completely different team to the highlights I saw of them six weeks or so ago. Lee has made some changes in the playing group and they have had an improved run of performances. They go into the game on the back of an excellent result also. They like to try and play a bit but they’ve also got some physicality too. We’re looking forward to the game. Against Blackpool they played some real attacking football so we will have to be at our best to counter that and impose ourselves on the game.’
Stand in skipper Steve Morison was also speaking ahead of the game, and he was talking of the need for greater consistency in the second half of the campaign when it came to our results so we could ensure we were in the promotion mix come the end of the year.
‘The lads are buzzing. Southend came after a frustrating result against Walsall, a game which we felt we played quite well in, especially in the second-half. So to go there and put in such a top performance was really pleasing and exactly what the manager asked for. Like with every match we had a game plan and it really paid of for us against Southend. The one we had against Walsall was paying off as well until we gave away a sloppy goal, but even after that we completely dominated a team who are right at the top of the League. We’ve now got to go to Barnsley and try and play as well as we did on Monday. If we want to have a really good season then we need to have the consistency which will keep us at the top end of the League. It is down to us to put a run together again.’
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Harris Bouyant Going Into Barnsley
