IT’S ALL CHANGE, LIONS RETURN TO ROARING PROUD
TEN months ago, fresh off the back of a demoralising relegation from the Championship, Neil Harris called his players together.
“I made them a promise,” he said. “I told them I’d turn them into a good Millwall team. That if they followed my lead, tactically, technically, and in terms of attitude, they’d get the opportunity to play in big games, in an atmosphere like tonight.
“That was my promise and I’m pleased I could deliver it today. But the truth is, it’s all credit to the players.
“I can give them messages. I can put the team together. But they are the ones who have to go out on that pitch and perform every week.
“They are the ones who’ve won 15 away games this season. They are the ones who’ve won seven in a row at home. They are the ones who’ve restored pride.
“I’m incredibly proud of them and it will be a privilege and an honour to lead those lads out at Wembley next week.”
For the Lions, and for their rookie boss, it is a remarkable turnaround. When their fiveyear stay in the Championship ended on April 28 last year, few gave them much chance of a return.
But a mass clearout and a series of shrewd transfers – none more so than returning hero Steve Morison – has turned the South Londoners into a tight, lean unit that on Sunday will bid to bounce straight back.
“It will be amazing to lead Millwall out,” said Morison, who has added 19 goals to the 40 he scored for the Lions between 2009 and 2011.
“I managed to lead Stevenage out there as captain and lift a trophy and it was an amazing buzz and an amazing feeling but I don’t want to be a losing captain there. It's great to get there but we know there is a hell of a long way to go as Barnsley are flying.”
Indeed they are. The Tykes, who totted up a 6-1 victory over Walsall in the other semi-final, haven’t lost in eight matches, but Harris says opposite number Paul Heckingbottom will have just as many concerns.
“I think we’ll be as worried about Barnsley as they are about us,” he said. “That’s the honest assessment of the situation. They’re a good team, bang in form. We’ve had two really close games this year and I don’t expect it to be any different at Wembley.”