Millwall manager Alex Neil has played down talk of a late play-off bid ahead of a trip to former club Sunderland.
The 43-year-old replaced Neil Harris in December and initially suffered a tricky start. However, form picked up towards the end of January and the Lions have lost just three of their last 11 league outings.
A 1-0 win over Stoke City before the international break saw Millwall move back into the top half of the table, where they sit just six points behind sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion. Still, with just eight games remaining and a host of clubs all fighting for the same position, it will be a tough task to force their way into the play-offs.
Neil Loving Life At The Den
Neil had been out of work for a year before the call came from Millwall. Just three months into his reign, the former Stoke City boss has admitted he is loving life in the capital. Speaking to BBC Radio London, he said:
“The club’s been supremely welcoming, the fans have been brilliant in terms of their support for the team. Everything about it feels and smells like a proper football club.
“It’s a little bit nostalgic for me in terms of, I’m quite old school in my mindset – I like things to be done properly, I like the grittiness of football. For me it’s been highly enjoyable.”
Millwall face a tough task on Saturday when they visit promotion chasing Sunderland, a club in which their current boss famously managed in 2022. A win will be critical to their hopes of a top six finish, but Neil insists he isn’t focusing on that:
“I don’t think that it makes any difference to me, if people want to talk about us being in the shake up for the play-offs then fine. I hope they’re right!”
Writer’s View
Millwall are a team arguably punching above their weight in the Championship. Despite harbouring ambitions of Premier League football, it would be a hell of an achievement to break into the top six between now and the end of the season. Six points is a perfect attainable gap to close, but there are also four teams between them and West Brom who are hoping to achieve the same. It’s also worth considering that the Lions possess a negative goal difference. With the Baggies faring much better in that department, it’s as good as an extra point.
