JACKETT: PLEASE DON’T GO SAKO
ALONG shot was how Kenny Jackett saw Wolves’ play-off bid going into the last day – and that is how he rates their chances of keeping Bakary Sako after just missing out on the top six.
A Sako-inspired Wolves tamed the relegated Lions but Brentford’s win over Wigan meant Jackett’s men missed out on the play-offs on goal difference.
No prospect of Premier League football at Molineux next season likely means no Sako with clubs queueing up for the out-of-contract Mali international’s signature.
Jackett conceded: “It does look like he’ll have offers both home and abroad that will tempt him.
“He’s been a good player for me and I felt it would be a big finish from him here.
“He knows we want to keep him but it does look unrealistic.
“We knew it would be a long shot to get into the top six. A big part of it was making sure we kept our eye on the ball and won the game. We did that and it was a good performance.
“We’ve got 30 points from the last 15 games of the season, which is a really good finish, but I’m sure we will look back at November where we didn’t pick up a point.
“Overall it’s a good season if we can build on it next year.
“We have a lot of young players who I feel have their best years ahead of them.”
With Derby going behind early, Wolves were in the play-offs after 20 minutes as Sako’s mesmerising run from his own half into the Millwall area saw the ball break for Nouha Dicko to sweep home.
Wolves had a let-off after the break as Aiden O’Brien’s deflected strike was headed off the line by Dave Edwards, but two Brentford goals against Wigan had demoted Wanderers to seventh by then.
Wolves’ hopes were briefly raised when Dicko was allowed to waltz into the box and hammer into the top corner.
Millwall were back in it two minutes later as O’Brien tapped home after Tomasz Kuszczak saved Ed Upson’s free-kick.
But Wolves made it 3-1 when Ethan Ebanks-Landell turned home a Sako set-piece.
‘We only need three more’ sang the Wolves fans, aware of the goal difference scenario, and Sako was twice inches wide as Wanderers poured forward.
However, Millwall substitute Jamie Philpot tucked home Upson’s cross for a debut goal that ended any lingering Wolves dreams.
The hosts at least had the final say as Sako surged in from the wing to lash through David Forde’s legs in what looks set to be his Molineux farewell.
Lions boss Neil Harris, appoint- ed permanently this week, rued the defensive deficiencies that have plagued Millwall all season and promised a New Den clearout this summer.
Harris, labelled an ‘excellent appointment’ by ex Lions boss Jackett, said:“The team competed and I thought we were excellent at times going forward but we defended poorly.
“Yes, we lost to a very good team but we let four goals in and that’s not acceptable.
“You saw with three in the starting XI and two coming off the bench that young players at this club will be given an opportunity.
“We’ve got a lot of players – more than 20 – out of contract. There might be a couple that might be in my thoughts for next year but there will be a hell of a lot who won’t be.”
One player Harris would love to keep is Republic of Ireland stopper Forde, but, like Jackett with Sako, the Lions boss is not brimming with hope.
He added: “He’s a top, top goalkeeper. With his international aspirations, will he stay and play in League One? We’ll see. I will be absolutely amazed if there isn’t interest in David.”