‘THEY’LL BE FAVOURITES BUT IT’S A TWO-HORSE RACE'
MILLWALL VS BRIGHTON, FA CUP, TODAY 2PM
MILLWALL would love to emulate Brighton’s success in the coming years – but today it’s all about beating them in the FA Cup.
There will be a packed house at The Den to see if the Lions can continue their remarkable record against Premier League opposition in the world famous competition.
Murray Wallace bagged a lastgasp winner as Neil Harris’ men shocked Everton 3-2 in the fourth round, while in 2016-17 the Londoners accounted for top-flight trio Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester on home soil.
It means they can go into this afternoon’s tie, televised live on the BBC, confident they will be able to compete in front of a national audience despite their struggles in the second tier this season.
Ask Millwall legend Harris what makes the club so hard to play against at The Den and he doesn’t talk about players or systems.
“I think you have to give credit to our fanbase,” he told The FLP. “The way they come and support their team, make it a cauldron of noise, a hostile atmosphere.
“It’s a real positive for us and, as a football club, our tradition, our ethos, our underdog status and our desire to cause upsets really suits cup football.
“It’s the way this club’s played over decades now, up-and-at-’em football, making it difficult for the opponents on one-off occasions. We have to make sure that all those Millwall traits come to fruition on Sunday.”
But Harris – the Lions’ all-time record scorer – knows it won’t be easy to frighten Brighton. Indeed, he has the utmost respect for what experienced boss Chris Hughton and the Seagulls have achieved in recent years.
“They were struggling in the Championship four years ago, won promotion a couple of years later, stayed in the Premier League and are still competing and doing well,” said the 41-yearold.
“It’s not just credit to Chrissy, it’s credit to their football club. They have to be a club we look at and appreciate.
“Yes, they’ve had good backing to do it, of course they have, but they’ve scoured the world market to bring in players. They have built a group that is multi-national and performing very well at Premier League level. I’m really impressed with what they’ve done over the last four years.”
Could Millwall do something similar in the years to come? Harris is realistic enough to know it won’t be easy, but optimistic enough to believe it could.
Realistic
“We’re a club that’s run without debt, with steadiness, whereas there are always clubs wanting to take that gamble to push the boat out and chase Premier League football,” he said.
“We know where we are as a club and we have been one that’s slipped between the Championship and League One.
“Yes, it’s always been my dream, certainly as a manager, to want to try to get this club promoted or certainly get towards the top end of the division.
“But we’ve seen this year how difficult it is to compete with clubs at this level, especially ones
that have come out of the Pre mier League- and there are so many of them now in the Championship. What a league we’re in! Brigton, Huddersfield last year, Blackpool in the past under (Ian Holloway), Burnley un der Dyschey(Sean Dyche), they give you that hope that clubs like ourselves could do that. There’s only one every few years, but that could be us.” Today will be a taste of the big time for Harris and company, t at least they go into buit boosted by their 2-0 midweek win at Birming ham – a result that kept them out of the Championship relegation zone. “I won’t try and play down how important that win was for us not just because of league status, but also the momentum that it carries going into the weekend,” said Harris, who played for the Lions in the final 2004 against FA Manchester Cup United. “It’s the lift and positivity not just that it gives to the players in the changing room but the fanbase as well. They will be nervous at the moment with the league situation and the players have been playing under a bit of pressure recently.
“It’s not all disappeared with one result, but it helps. We can go into the game on Sunday with no fear, no anxiety, nothing to lose whatsoever and our fans will be there to party and enjoy it.
“The unison between the players and the supporters, which is the most important thing at this football club, will be evident at the weekend.”
Incentive
There is also the incentive of a trip to Wembley for today’s victors. Harris has already led the Lions out there twice in League One play-off finals in his four years at the helm, but doing it in the FA Cup would be even sweeter.
“We’re always conscious of not getting too far ahead of ourselves but that is reality for us and Brighton,” he said. “They will be huge favourites to win the game but in a two-horse race you’ve got a chance.
“We know the challenge in front of us, but it’s certainly something the players and fans can dream of.
“Brighton will look at it as a wonderful opportunity to progress to a semi-final at Wembley and we look at it as a big opportunity to cause an upset.
“We did it against Everton earlier in the competition and in previous years against various Premier League teams.
“It’s a quarter-final at home and the big thing for me is my players get the opportunity to play in front of their own fans on the big stage.”
With Millwall’s primary focus being on ensuring their Championship status for next season and Brighton seeking points to guarantee another year of top-flight football, Harris believes it’s a plus that all will be decided on the day.
“I think it makes it a lot simpler for me and Chrissy,” he said. “You’re not thinking about another game.
“Everyone knows it’s got to be settled on the day so you prepare for 120 minutes and a penalty shoot-out. It certainly helps the players, they know where it’s at.
“From Brighton, an expensively assembled squad from the Premier League, to us, in the lower reaches of the Championship, there is a massive gulf but we’re playing at home in front of our supporters and that bridges it a little bit.”