Millwall boss pinpoints exactly why set-pieces failed to come off in 3-0 loss at Sunderland

Gary Rowett had a simple answer for why Millwall’s set-piece prowess was blunted at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light yesterday.

The Lions endured a miserable return to Championship action as they lost 3-0 on Wearside.

Millwall are normally a major handful from deadball situations but were unable to get any joy as the defeat saw them slide out of the top six.

“Danny Batth headed every single one out of the box,” said Rowett, when asked about the Lions failing to make the most of set-pieces. “That’s the simple fact. We had about 12 corners and Danny Batth got his head on it about 10 times.

“When somebody is so dominant  in those moments you have to ask the question why your players haven’t managed to go and do that themselves. With these games there is always those little nuances of the game. You ask, have we done enough in those areas of the game to score? It’s a strong part of our game. I didn’t think we attacked it with the same desire Danny Batth attacked it to defend.

“You’ve seen recently that teams have worked extra hard to stop us from set-pieces. If they find those moments where they are dominant then we have to accept it and be disappointed. We had enough chances in the first half to certainly go a goal up and change the game.

“I don’t want to take any credit away from Sunderland because they were excellent after that first goal – 3-0 probably flatters them a little bit. The way the goals went in was incredibly disappointing.”