GREGORY SHOWS HEART OF A LION
Striker stars as Millwall lift off
BIRTHDAY-BOY Lee Gregory shook off a neck injury to fire Millwall to their first league win of the season in a performance that prompted manager Neil Harris to assert that his team belong in the Championship.
Gregory, who turned 29 on Saturday, pulled a neck muscle in training on Friday and was a doubt to lead the line alongside former Norwich man Steve Morison, himself celebrating a milestone 250th Millwall appearance against the Canaries.
But Gregory allayed any fears about his condition with the opener on 15 minutes and Millwall never looked back, racing to a three-goal lead by the interval with George Saville and Jed Wallace also on target.
Shaun Hutchinson headed in the fourth and while Harris was delighted with all involved, Gregory stood out.
“Lee walked off the training pitch after 15 minutes on Friday with a knock. He hurt his neck and he couldn't move,” revealed Harris.
“We didn't think he was going to be available, but he came in for a fitness test on Saturday morning and knocked on my door personally and said 'I want to play. I might not be 100 per cent, but I want to play'. I'm delighted for him and all of my goalscorers.
“I asked for everything from the boys – a clean-sheet mentality, an aggressive Millwall performance, with and without the ball, and a ruthlessness about us and my players have delivered. I'm very proud of them.
“Beating Norwich 4-0 doesn't make a season but it's another small step in the right direction. We belong at this level. We've put in performances that show that.”
Millwall opened the scoring when Shaun Williams' lofted pass found Morison, who flicked the ball into the path of Gregory who finished.
Two minutes later Gregory broke away down the right flank and though his cross was behind Aiden O'Brien, the 23year-old kept his composure and teed up Saville to stroke in a low effort.
Jordan Archer was busy at the other end and thwarted Wes Hoolahan, Josh Murphy and Nelson Oliveira.
But it was Millwall who got the game’s third goal, when Wallace strode forwards and placed a 20-yard strike beyond keeper Angus Gunn.
O’Brien struck the crossbar early in the second half, but Millwall’s fourth goal did arrive when Hutchinson headed in Williams’ corner.
The away supporters chanted ‘We want our money back’ and boss Daniel Farke shared their frustration.
“I didn’t see this result coming before the game, but I did quickly during the game,” said the 40-year-old.
“We conceded the goal pretty soon and it was three at halftime, so it was difficult to turn the game. In general our behaviour in defence in the first half was horrible.
“The mistakes were poor. We spoke about how Millwall would play with long balls and who should go and win the headers. So it is really annoying these points determined the game, because we were sure we could defend these situations..
“When you consider we have conceded 12 goals in five games it’s not normally possible with such an average to win games, so I’m really concerned.
“It’s close to the top of the worst results in my career. We all feel ashamed.”