BACKS TO THE WALL
Keeper admits it’s a ‘big week’ as struggling Lions seek spark to turn round early-season collapse
MILLWALL keeper Ben Amos admitted there are no more hiding places.
The club, once built on a dressing room of togetherness and belief, are in freefall and the next two games could come to define their season.
The Lions are at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and then face ailing Aston Villa at home on Saturday.
Manager Neil Harris (right) ripped apart his side after a frenetic, nailbiting match, in which they were one goal down then led 2-1, against a side with ambitions of returning to the Premier League.
He used the word “embarrassing”, questioned the team’s character and said many of his men were not “performing to standard” after a fifth defeat in six games. Millwall have dropped into the bottom two and are without a league win since August 18.
Amos pulled off a wonder save to deny Billy Sharp’s penalty, but claimed it counted for nothing.
Sharp later put the Blades ahead before two goals in three minutes from Jake Cooper and Lee Gregory gave Millwall the lead. But a late double from David McGoldrick, including a penalty, won it for the high-flying visitors.
Amos said: “It’s fair to say our manager isn’t happy and he let us know about it.
“He will always tell us how it is and at the moment we need a reaction to try to change the way things are going for us.
“We tried to do the best we possibily could. Decisions didn’t go for us but, at the same time, we have to take responsibility for the goals. It is a big week for us and we need at least four points from the next two games to get us up the table.
“We need to be more consistent and do the things we know we are good at. Once we have a lead we need to hold it. Teams have been scoring late against us.
“But I believe it will come. I feel positive. It is not as if we are gettting beat 4-0 every week. We are always amongst it. We must make sure we tighten the screw and I believe we can pick up something from the next two games.
“We scored a good setpiece, then a good goal – the fact we are scoring is good, but when you score two at home you expect to get something out of the game.
“The referee had an influence with the two penalties, but we need to stay solid. I am happy we have a game coming up quickly, so we can put it right.”
Blades boss Chris Wilder praised his side, especially two-goal hero McGoldrick, 30, who arrived in the summer without a club after leaving Ipswich. Wilder said: “These are the type of players Millwall and us have to go for. Sometimes you find nuggets.
“David trained with us, passed a medical, and that was it. We also did our homework. We asked the likes of former Ipswich managers George Burley and Mick McCarthy about his character and they both gave him the thumbs up.
“We deserved it but now we must push on. I feel for Neil and Millwall. They are like us, have the basic ethos, little money but work hard.
“They are a proud club and have good players. They are going through a bad patch, but I believe they will come through it.”