Lions need to start restoring homepride
MILLWALL’S frustrating home form has left manager Neil Harris desperate for a resolute display when Port Vale visit The Den.
The Lions are without a home win since November 28, though they have not played there in the league since Boxing Day, and sit one point above fellow play-off chasers Vale in the table.
Harris knows that, without a strong run at home, they won’t make the top six and now is the time to start getting it right.
“We’ve had some frustrating results here, but we’ve also had some really good ones,” said the manager.
“In spells, I think we’ve had some really good performances. Gillingham, with ten men, was spirited,Walsall second half was excellent.
“We’re there in spells but we’ve got to be consistent over 90 minutes.
“We’ve certainly got to defend well to keep clean sheets here, and with the amount of chances we’re creating, we’ve got the quality players to put the ball in the net.”
One player Harris will be looking to is leading scorer Aiden O’Brien, who has signed a new contract until 2019.
He was absent on Thursday night, however, when the Lions slipped to a 2-0 home defeat in the first leg of their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area final with Oxford United.
In contrast, the Valiants come into the clash on the back of consecutive 1-0 wins, at home to Bury and away at Blackpool.The latter, eight days ago, gave the visitors an extra five days to refresh for this afternoon’s clash.
That is the first time they have kept back-toback clean sheets this season and manager Rob Page is excited to see a solid foundation forming.
“I think Richard Duffy and Ryan McGivern have formed a great partnership,” he said,“and, with Michael Brown sat in front with his experience and knowledge of when to play and how to play, it certainly helped.
“Jak Alnwick in goal has also been outstanding. We know twe can count on him at any time.”