Lion Leonard: There’s an added edge against QPR

Ryan Leonard has backed the return of Lions fans to finally inspire an end to Millwall’s Loftus Road misery ahead of their season opener against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.

It’s been over 32 years since the Lions last tasted victory in West London. And there will be an added incentive to get a result against QPR after results in recent years too.

Rangers have effectively ended Millwall’s play-off hopes twice over the past two seasons in a couple of rollercoaster clashes.

The Lions will be backed by over 2,500 travelling fans, and Leonard reckons that can make all the difference for Gary Rowett’s men.

“When we first saw the fixtures, we all said it’s a great game to start the season with,” said the midfield ace. “It’s a derby so everyone knows what sits on that.

“There’s a bit of an added edge because we’ll have a lot of fans there, plus they’re a team that have got in our way a little bit over the past couple of years.

“It’ll be a great atmosphere, they’re a good side and we’re a good side as well, so it’s going to be an interesting game.

“We’re going to give it a right go.”

The Lions quickly sold out their allocation of tickets for the trip to their neighbours, and Leonard is backing Millwall’s infamous support to be the driving force behind a sustained promotion push – after falling just short of the top six in the last two campaigns behind closed doors.

“I don’t see why we can’t make it this year,” he said. “The last 12 months have been crazy. But this season is going to be a lot more realistic than it has been with no crowd. That’s probably allowed some teams to overplay or get away with things.

“The way that the fans get behind us at The Den is going to really help our home form improve.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves before the season starts, but I don’t see why we can’t build on the last two years with the squad we’ve put together and how we’ve been in pre-season.

“Usually, you see three or four teams that are a cut above the rest. But with no one going crazy [in the market] this year it’s going to be a really tight league.

“If we can put a run together with the way the fans get behind us, we can have a really good year. I’d say the fans push us on more than any other team in the league, so that’s going to really benefit us.

“It would be a great achievement, especially to do it this year with getting the fans back after such a long time away. It’s going to be a really special season with them back.”