Millwall boss Rowett left with plenty of positives as they hammer Huddersfield

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett was pleased with Millwall’s performance against Huddersfield.

The Lions beat the managerless Terriers 4-1 at The Den on Wednesday night to secure an eighth-place finish in the Championship table for the second time in three seasons.

Millwall boss Rowett said: “It’s always a difficult one for both teams when there’s not really anything on the game.

“The mentality of our group shone out tonight, it was three points which was important to us. We wanted to finish strongly.

“If I could have looked at how a final game of the season could go I’d have wanted it to go that way. Four goals and some good performances from players that haven’t had many opportunities.”

Connor Mahoney scored and created two further goals while Jiri Skalak came off the bench to net.

Rowett was also able to give league debuts to Hayden Muller and James Brown.

“There were some real positives – ending up with two players making their debuts, who will be good players in the future for us, and Billy [Mitchell] on the pitch.

“I’m really pleased that we ended that way.

“[Mahoney] hasn’t had many starts, so in fairness to him he could argue he hasn’t had many opportunities.

“He put a little extra bit of work in and he got his rewards for it, got an assist or two and scored a goal. We know he’s a talented player, it’s just the other side of his game, if we can work with him to get that. I was pleased with his performance. He did well.”
Rowett was full of praise for those players who have not had many first-team chances this season.

“Sometimes people think the season is about the players on the pitch. If you’re not in the squad or on the bench a lot, haven’t played much, to train so well and be so professional, that’s just as important as the players on the pitch.

“It keeps the players motivated, it keeps them working.

“Jiri coming on and getting a goal was important. Steeley [Luke Steele] as well pushing Bart [Bialkowski] every day in training. He doesn’t get much opportunity but ultimately his professionalism helps other teams perform.

“It’s that unselfishness that we’ve got in the group that’s really pleasing.”