Lions need to play to Tom Elliott’s strengths – and accept he will frustrate at times 

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris has praised Tom Elliott for his recent displays for Millwall – but admits that the big striker is always going to frustrate at times.

The former AFC Wimbledon forward has struggled to break up the partnership of Lee Gregory and Steve Morison since signing in the summer of 2017.

But Elliott started the last two Championship fixtures and scored the decisive goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Lions manager Harris said: “Tom needs to do what Tom can do – be an absolute nuisance and a handful, win his headers.

For a big man he has got good pace, wants to run in behind and attacks the ball from wide areas. We have to utilise his qualities so that we get the best out of him.

“Tom has to impose himself on a game. There will always be an element of Tom Elliott that frustrates because he is not the most natural or gifted of footballer. But he is very, very effective.

“I think we all have to appreciate what his strengths are. Tom is a top lad, he cares very much. He wants to do well. He has a hunger to impress and wants to be loved by the fans.

“Sometimes you have to be patient, players take time to settle.

“Tom took his opportunity at Forest, he played extremely well and won a lot of first balls.

He was unlucky not to score and I decided to leave him in for Villa – again he was excellent and got his reward by scoring the goal.

“That will certainly boost his confidence. He has been very, very close before and hit the woodwork three or four times this season.

He had been very unlucky in front of goal. But he’s a natural goalscorer and gets into those right areas.”