Millwall boss Harris: It’s time for players to stand up and be counted

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris has told his Millwall players it is time for them to step up to the plate and end a worrying run of form at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

The Lions lost 3-2 to Sheffield United today after being 2-1 ahead with 11 minutes remaining.

And Harris did not soften his words post-match. He said: “For the first and third goals the defending is abysmal and it’s embarrassing.

“They are just bad goals and people not doing their jobs.

“If the dressing room has got anything about it they will lift themselves. I keep doing the team meetings and picking them up, but somewhere along the line as a player we have to stand up and be counted. I thought some didn’t do that today towards the end of the game.

“It might seem a little bit harsh but it is a time for harsh words. We have lost another game at home that we were leading with 10 minutes to go. It is extremely disappointing.”

Jed Wallace misses the Forest game after collecting five cautions.

“Five bookings and he has probably only made five tackles – he needs to make better decisions,” said the Lions boss.

Millwall are in the bottom three and dropped to 23rd in the Championship standings.

“The table doesn’t lie – it never lies,” said Harris. “It can give a false impression at times but ultimately results haven’t been good enough. You have to dig deep in those moments.

“We have to stick to our beliefs, we have to do what made us so good last season. Ultimately individuals have to perform better than they are.”

IMAGE BY KEITH GILLARD