Millwall

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall manager Alex Neil says that while Burnley were the better side in their 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor, his team should have taken more chances.

Josh Brownhill's brace and Jaidon Anthony's goal cancelled out Mihailo Ivanovic's opener.

Josh Coburn squandered a brilliant chance with the scores level, and Neil wanted his side to be more clinical as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

"Whenever you're playing the top teams in this division, it is tough," he told BBC Radio London.

"We had opportunities and didn't make the most of them. In a game of this magnitude when Burnley are chasing the league and we're chasing play-offs, you need to take the key moments and we only converted one. That isn't enough.

Neil added that his side's approach was to play on the counter attacj, which brought them some joy.

"You need to have a game plan; you have to understand you're not going to dominate the ball.

"That wasn't our intention; we tried to get them to risk the ball so we could nick it and try to counter.

"Burnley were the better side, I have no problem saying that.

But I've been involved in those moments where if you take your chances you can take the points. Unfortunately today wasn't our day."

Burnley and Millwall are both on the hunt - but will either side be able to find what they are looking for when they meet at Turf Moor on Saturday (12:30 BST)?

For the Clarets, it's the Championship title they have their eye on but they'll need to better Leeds' result to obtain it.

Whereas the Lions are looking for a spot in the play-offs but are one of five contenders, currently sitting the middle of the pack just one place outside the top six.

So long as they win and Coventry City or Bristol City do not, it's theirs, but they will also need to be the first visiting side to claim victory at Turf Moor all season. A big ask.

• Burnley have lost just one of their last seven league games against Millwall (W3 D3), though that sole defeat did come in the reverse meeting in November last year (1-0).

• Millwall will be looking to record their first league double over Burnley since the 1997-98 campaign during which they won at Turf Moor 2-1.

• Burnley are unbeaten across their last seven Championship matches on the final day of the season (W4 D3), since a 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2008.

• Since December 2020, Millwall have won just two of their last 12 away league games against sides from Lancashire (D5 L5), 4-2 and 3-2 wins against Preston and Blackpool respectively during the 2022-23 campaign.

• Burnley are currently unbeaten across their last 32 league games, with only Reading in 2005-06 (33) and Huddersfield Town between January and November 2011 (43) ever having a longer run in the English Football League outside of the top tier.

Nick Hart
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

To call Saturday's home win over a very decent Swansea side tense would be an understatement.

At times, the Lions were clinging on desperately in a second half that seemed never-ending.

The hero of the match was 19-year-old third-choice goalkeeper George Evans, who made a series of magnificent stops and blocks to protect a slender one-goal lead, thanks to George Saville's 38th-minute finish in front of a volcanic Den crowd.

Are the football gods smiling on Millwall's unlikely play-off run this season?

We'll find out next Saturday when we travel to league title-chasing Burnley.

They have just two losses all season [one of those against Millwall] and we'll need to continue to ride our luck with other results featuring Coventry and Bristol City needing to go our way.

The Clarets will present a very strong challenge and as we saw against Swansea, scoring goals has been a problem for the 'Wall across the season.

But what an exciting finish and what a tribute to Alex Neil's squad to be in this position.

Anything seems possible for this Millwall side right now and we'll be travelling to Lancashire both in hope but also with some confidence, too.

Come on you Lions!

Find more from Nick Hart on Achtung! Millwall., external

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If Millwall reach the Championship play-offs they will have done it the hard way, according to head coach Alex Neil.

The Lions beat Swansea 1-0 at the weekend which means only goal difference is keeping them out of the top six heading into their final game of the campaign at already-promoted Burnley on Saturday (12:30 BST).

A Millwall win at Turf Moor on Saturday would be enough to claim a play-off spot if Coventry fail to beat Middlesbrough.

"With the run of fixtures we've had we've done it the hard way getting to this point," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"I don't think anyone would rule us out but we know it's going to be a tough task but one we're looking forward to."

Millwall have won five of their past six games, including victories against fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United and Middlesbrough and Neil is encouraged with how his players have been handling the run-in.

"You meet the fans in the week and they say 'this is where we normally fall short' but we certainly didn't (against Swansea) so that's a nice a feeling and we've got a big one where we'll need as much backing as we can get and we'll do our best," he added.

Image source, PA Media

Millwall boss Alex Neil says his side have to "play better" in their final game next week after they beat Swansea 1-0 to remain right in the hunt for a play-off spot.

The Lions' fifth victory in their past six games lifts them to to seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Coventry City.

"You could see there were a lot of nerves around the game. I don't think it helps that the other game plays before us, although in this instance it worked in our favour because we knew the [Coventry] result," Neil said.

"It's certainly not the best we have played. We know we can play better and we will need to play better next week if we want to try to give ourselves an opportunity.

"But what we do have is, we are always in every game, we give it everything we have got.

"I am really proud of the players for their efforts this season, but we have still got one to go."

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall's players should feel no fear going into their last two games of the Championship season, says head coach Alex Neil.

The Lions host Swansea City on Saturday before travelling to already-promoted Burnley on the final day of the season.

With four wins in their past five matches, Millwall sit three points off the play-off spots and Neil said his focus was on the things he and his players could control.

"There's nothing we can do about the other fixtures; if we don't win our game the chances become more remote, so from our perspective it's purely 'can we win the match?', he told BBC Radio London.

"Other teams have got it in their hands. Our job is to make sure that if there is any slip-ups, if there are any opportunities, that we try and seize upon it.

"There should be no apprehension, no fear, we can only gain from this point onwards."

Millwall can move level with sixth-placed Coventry City if the Sky Blues lose at Luton Town and the Lions beat the Swans, but Coventry currently have a superior goal difference.

Millwall will look to keep their dreams of the play-offs alive when they host Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Lions are three points outside the top six but with their -1 goal difference working against them.

Boss Alex Neil is still holding onto hope that they can squeeze into a spot but to do so, they may need to do the league double over the Welsh side - something they haven't done in four decades.

• Millwall have won three of their last four league games against Swansea (L1) and are looking to complete their first double over the Swans since 1984-85.

• Swansea have won five of their last seven away league games against Millwall, with the exceptions being a 1-1 draw in June 2020 and a 2-1 loss in March 2023.

• Millwall have won their last four home league games, last winning five in a row in the same campaign in March/April 2016 (6).

• Swansea have won their last five league games, last winning six in a row in November/December 2007 while in League One.

• Mihailo Ivanovic has scored 11 Championship goals this season, more than twice as many as any other Millwall player. The Serbian has scored six goals in his last seven appearances.

Image source, Rex Features

Nothing has changed for Millwall in terms of their hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs, says boss Alex Neil.

The Londoners are three points short of the top six with two games remaining, starting at home to Swansea on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"I'm aware of the league table but the simple fact is nothing changes, we need to win our next game," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"We're still chasing, we're still trying to get as close to the teams above us as we can - if we win the next game we give ourselves an opportunity and if we don't, we don't."

Millwall have won their past four games at The Den and they finish the regular season with a trip to already-promoted Burnley on 3 May.

"We're in a really good place but Swansea are the form team in the league at the moment so that's going to be a really tough test for us and a game we have to go and win," added Neil.

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall manager Alex Neil says his side's 3-1 win over Norwich City is "one of the best" since his appointment at The Den.

Two goals from Mihailo Ivanovic, either side of Femi Azeez's header, were enough for the Londoners to steer past the Canaries as they push to get into the play-off places.

"I think regardless of the other results it was a brilliant performance," Neil told BBC Radio London after the match.

"I'd probably say it's up there as one of the best performances I've had since I've been here.

"I thought we were really aggressive, we created so many chances in the game. We scored three but we probably could've scored more.

"I thought defensively we were sound throughout the match. We've got a debutant at left back, we've got a young goalkeeper and I thought both of them were excellent as well.

"All in all, a great day at The Den if you take into consideration the results. I don't think we could've hoped for much more."

Image source, PA Media

Millwall head coach Alex Neil spoke to BBC Radio London after his side's 4-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

"The change in the game was taking the chances. They had two really good opportunities in the start and between that [and the goal] we had four or five really good opportunities to get the goal.

"They then get the first goal, we then respond and get another really good goal.

"Our management then has to be [to] get to half-time, make sure we can regroup, start the second half well and see where the game goes next.

"Unfortunately we conceded. What it meant was we had to continue to push and go for the next goal.

"We did have the next chance in the second half with Josh Coburn. I think if that goes in the complexion in the game completely shifts.

"I thought the third goal going in completely took the wind out of us and I think you could see that with the players, they looked as if [they thought] this is a long way back.

"I said to them my biggest problem probably at the end of the game was we looked as though we lacked a little belief at that stage and that's a frustration for me because that's not a nice sight to have as a coach."

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire following his side's 4-1 win over Millwall.

"It was a great afternoon, especially the way we wanted to play. We kept going after the second half against Sheffield Wednesday, the fighting spirit [we showed] against Luton, last week and I think we combined them both today - from minute one we were on the front foot.

"We see clearly the way the players want to reinforce the message, the game plan, the way we want to play.

"When you get the result the players start to believe and put some confidence in the things and it looks like today was the best performance I think from the players since I'm in."

On Callum Brittain: "On the other hand, you see clearly when you are missing key players it makes a huge difference.

"Callum Brittain in the first game back in and you see straightaway he lifted the quality in the team.

"This team needs the best players on the pitch to perform and now we see the statistics as well - much more shots on target, much more penetration and more goals."

With three wins in a row, Millwall are on a charge to grab a top-six place and this week has seen a lot of chatter among Lions fans over their chances of doing so (see entries below).

A fourth victory on the spin on Good Friday (15:00 BST) could take them right into the mix with the likes of Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion (who play each other) and Middlesbrough.

Rovers are not mathematically out of it but a seven-point gap looks a big one to close.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost none of their past eight league games against Millwall at Ewood Park (W5 D3) since a 2-0 defeat back in November 2012 under Henning Berg.

• Millwall are looking for their first league double over Blackburn since the 1970-71 campaign.

• No team in Football League history has lost more games on Good Friday than Blackburn (32, level with Notts County).

• Millwall haven't lost any of their last 10 league games played on Good Friday (W5 D5) since a 2-0 defeat to Yeovil Town back in April 2009.

• Among each side's past 10 Championship games, no side has picked up fewer points than Blackburn (eight – W2 D2 L6), while Millwall have picked up the joint-second most with 19 (W6 D1 L3

Image source, Rex Features

Three wins on the bounce have put Millwall within three points of the Championship play-off places with four games remaining.

We asked you whether you think the Lions can finish in a top-six spot in the second tier for the first time since 2001-02.

Here's what you said:

Alfie: To be honest, for what Alex Neil has done since coming in, we deserve the play-offs. Players have been class last three games and I can only see this team improving. Millwall to finish sixth for me.

Philip: A real character-filled end of season that I think will fall slightly short. Nonetheless gives hope for a real challenge next season. AN has brought about the best in some of our squad and the new Millwall are thriving.

Stevo: It's a dream. It's the one thing at Millwall that unites us - doing things the difficult way. It can be done but we need a big slice of Lady Luck. Every game is winnable. Every game is a cup final. COYL.

Safouane: I think so. I mean looking at our rivals' fixtures definitely gives me hope. The team's really coming together with Alex Neil at the wheel. Come on Wall!

Richard: I think we will just miss out, but what a great run. Look forward to next year. Great signs good things are to come.

Roger: My feeling is that it will again come down to the final game of the season. It might depend on Burnley's position. If they are champions or in second place, they may relax. If they are in the play-offs, they may want to save themselves and field a weakened team. Otherwise they will be going all out for a win. In that case, Millwall will need to take every opportunity that they are presented with - not always one of their strengths.

Colin: Usually teams that reach the play-offs' sixth position do so with momentum, grit and determination. Millwall have that in abundance. COYL.

Robin: I don't think they will quite make the play-offs. The season is ending a bit too soon for that. But I could be wrong, of course. They have done really well in what has been a tough year. Loads of team spirit, good players and an honest manager whose tactics and coaching are working.

Tim: Possible? Yes. Likely? No. Apart from anything else Millwall's inferior goal difference puts them on the back foot. However, both Bristol City and Coventry have some challenging final games, so if they slip someone could make it in…

Bill: I hope we do but I don't think we will. It isn't just about catching the sixth-placed team, we have two other teams between us and them. We would need a lot of permutations to go our way, not least of all having to win all four of our games. That's a tough ask in the Championship where nothing comes easy. Neil has done a great job. Good recruitment in Jan. Unlucky with injuries. I think recruit well again in the summer and have a full season as the 'new' Millwall and keep believing we can do it.

David: The Lions have as good a chance as any. We have been slowly building under Alex Neil. The influx of a number of quality young players in January bodes well for the future and is part of a broader strategy at the club. If not this season then next.