Following today’s clash between Millwall and Preston North End, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Millwall hosted Preston North End at The Den on Saturday January 13, with both sides playing out a score draw on the day.
Aiden O’Brien opened the scoring in the match as he struck the back of the net two minutes ahead of the break, but a Callum Robinson leveller brought Preston back on level terms ten minutes from full time.
Teams:
Millwall:
Archer, Romeo, Hutchinson, Cooper, Meredith, Wallace (Onyedinma 88), Tunnicliffe, Saville, O’Brien, Morison, Gregory (Williams 88).
Substitutes:
McLaughlin, Craig, Thompson, Martin, Elliott.
Preston:
Maxwell, Browne, Clarke, Davies, Cunningham, Pearson (Johnson 77), Gallagher, Bodin (Barkhuizen 45), Harrop (Horgan 70), Robinson, Hugill.
Substitutes:
Rudd, Boyle, Welsh, O’Connor.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Jeremy Simpson blew the final whistle, Millwall manager Neil Harris explained.
‘When you’re 1-0 up at home at half-time, it’s disappointing not to get three points. But they’re a good side, a competitive side, an aggressive side in the way they press and the way they play. They’re a team that’ll be in the top six come end of the season. But I thought there were two very fine calls today. Both should have gone our favour. Ben Pearson should have been sent-off because it was identical to Jake Cooper’s second yellow card at Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the season, so I don’t understand that one. Secondly, Lee Gregory goes through one-on-one and was clearly three yards onside. I’ve watched it through two different angles and he was clearly onside. Two fine margin decisions at 1-0 that could have affected the outcome of the game.’
Preston manager Alex Neil in his comparative interview explained.
‘I think it’s harsh to say Ben Pearson should have seen a red card. I thought the first booking was really disappointing and he didn’t really deserve it, and I think Ben’s frustration was the same as mine. Within a game, there are a lot of 50-50 decisions and you’re hoping they’re going to get spotted evenly. I feel we didn’t get our fair share. There was one incident where the ball was on the sideline and the linesman said it was out. I was right next to it and it was nowhere near out. You get them from time to time but he certainly did not deserve a red card. I don’t think there were any dirty tackles in the game whatsoever.’
