Manager Neil Harris has previewed the hosting of Wigan Athletic this evening at The Den.
Speaking to the official site how key this game could be for Millwall certainly wasn’t lost on Harris given we sit level on points with them, but have a game in hand currently seven points from safety.
A victory tonight could make a huge difference to our hopes of survival.
‘The players are focused and ready to go again. The atmosphere in the dressing room was disappointment after the Watford game but also realism that we had been beaten by a really good side. We are going into what is a huge game of football with the confidence that we are playing well. We are creating chances and we have got the belief back in the squad.’
As for team news ahead of the game, defender Jos Hooiveld will be assessed late on after missing the Watford match, so Mark Beevers may continue in his place.
Otherwise Millwall have no fresh injury concerns and the returning Lee Martin remains in contention following his run out, and Paris Cowan-Hall will also be closer following his return to training but again the game may come too soon for him.
In quotes carried by the standard Harris said he believed in the group and he’s just continuing to make things simple over the remaining games.
‘If the players continue to perform like they are then we have a chance. I came in with the initial task of trying to put a belief back into the squad that was a little bit low because results had not been great. There is a good bunch of fellas in that dressing room that just needed a little guidance. Hopefully, myself and Dave Livermore have done that with our knowledge of the club. We have tried not to over complicate things and it is safe to say the players are enjoying what we are doing.’
Harris adds that having briefly caretakered following the departure of Steve Lomas, he feels he’s matured as a coach, learned a lot more and obviously there are people he can ring like Kenny Jackett and Sean Dyche to ask advice and he’s certainly tapped into that.
‘It is a difficult position we are in but we are desperate to stay in the division. To do that, we need to win games. We have got the belief and, even though we were beaten by Watford on Saturday, we have still got momentum and are going in the right direction. There are lots of people I can speak to. Managers past and present that I respect and have worked under, friends within the game who are now coaching, managing or still playing. People that have played for this club in successful teams. You try to recreate the good points from managers you have played under and learn from the bad ones. It is having your own philosophy and ideas, and moulding that around other people. Kenny is a great coach because he made things so simple. I have learned to not to overcomplicate things.’
Harris ending by refusing to be drawn on whether he wanted the job permanently although it did seem he was angling in that direction as he explained initially it was to reinvigorate the group and see how he felt about the job and whether he enjoyed it – and so fair he’s enjoying it despite the struggles.
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Harris Previews Wigan
