‘Funny old beast’ – Gary Rowett staying grounded despite Millwall’s flying start to 2023

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is keeping his feet firmly rooted to the ground despite seeing his side move fourth in the Championship table on New Year’s Day.

The Lions dispatched Rotherham United 3-0 at The Den to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Tom Bradshaw scored twice for Millwall with his strike deflecting off Cameron Humphreys to beat Millers keeper Viktor Johansson. Johansson made a number of big saves to keep the scoreline in the realms of respectability.

The Lions have taken 27 points from their 13 home matches this season, a total only bettered by Burnley (31).

“Our home form this season has been fantastic,” said Rowett. “We’ve had a couple of little blips recently, but our blips are draws that we didn’t feel we did quite enough to win, but again, we’re not getting beaten here.

“I don’t think there’s much in the performances. Today we were a little more clinical, we could’ve been a lot more clinical, and it’s been a good week.

“I spoke about it, it’s about being fairly calm as a team and as a club in these situations. We could be all ‘we beat Watford, fantastic’, and then we all get a little bit edgy because we don’t then win our next game – but that’s the Championship.

“Teams don’t just come and roll over. Bristol City are a good side, Rotherham beat Sheffield United away from home about five games ago.

“Every team is capable of taking points and you’ve got to do it right. To take seven points in a week, to have three clean sheets,  to score goals, I think it’s a testament to the character of the players

“We’re working hard, we’re in a position where we we want to continue to get more out of the players, continue to find those sorts of performances and continue to try and add to the group in January.

“It’s been a good week but the Championship is a funny old beast. You can have a good week and then have a not so good week, so you’ve got to keep working hard, get your head down and plough on really.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS