Manager Neil Harris has called on the Millwall players to rise to the pressure that will be on them in this weekend’s game against Bristol Rovers.
With back to back defeats in the last two games, Millwall’s hold on the final Play Off spot in League One had looked a bit tentative but we remain one point ahead of Southend United and two ahead of Rochdale with a single game remaining.
Gaining a season extension only requires us to match or better the results they pick on the final day and Harris has told the players to relish and embrace the challenge they now face.
Speaking to London News Online as he met with the media this week, Harris knew it was in our hands and all it needed was for us to play exactly how we have already proven we can this campaign.
With three points and a win simplifying the permutations of the final day, Harris explained.
‘The players will have anticipation and nervousness leading up to the Bristol Rovers game – but we have to use that to our advantage. We have to play like it means the world to us. It is a one-off. It is like a play-off final in itself, because we need to win it to get into the play-offs. If we do get through then the game can be used as an experience moving forward.’
Harris himself wasn’t phased by that pressure and ultimately he knew with a Play Off shot being in our hands, this is the place we’d want to be with one game remaining.
‘This is nerve-jangling but I wouldn`t swap our position for those teams at the bottom like Coventry, Chesterfield and Swindon, or ones that can`t get into the top six like Oxford and Peterborough. I`d love to be Bolton Wanderers or Fleetwood Town – fighting for second spot – but we still have a brilliant opportunity. I have got a big week in front of me and have to make some big decisions. I`m embracing and looking forward to it. The players have to do the same. The fans travelling will have nervous energy, but there will be excitement as well.’
With Shaun Williams admitting the players knew at the end of the Oxford game that results had gone in our favour, Harris ended by saying.
‘It was only right at the end I was aware of other scores. I don`t mind the players knowing – there were a few niggly tackles going in towards the end due to the frustration and disappointment. So it was a good thing them knowing the results – they managed to keep calm heads and didn`t do anything stupid to get a red card. We have to focus on ourselves. We learned a very valuable lesson on Saturday that if we don`t take care of our own business and are not at the races from the first minute against any team in this division, then you get beaten.’
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