Rowett satisfied with progress but tells Millwall players: We should have finished the game off

BY ALEX GRACE

Gary Rowett was pleased with his side’s comeback against Portsmouth.

The Lions had to come from behind to beat Danny Cowley’s side 2-1 at The Den – but they nearly paid the price late on, for failing to seal the tie.

The Lions boss said: “It was a poor start but that can happen in games. We were caught over-playing and made one poor pass. To be fair to the lad it’s a brilliant finish – don’t know if it gets a little deflection.

“And actually we settled into the game. It took us about 10 minutes to get going in front of the fans.”

Scott Malone opened his account for the season with the equaliser. 

“We settled in well, started to move the ball well and caused Portsmouth problems,” added Rowett.

“They were two good goals, Scottie Malone coming in at the back post to finish off an excellent move. Then Sav – that’s why we brought him into the club, because he’s got that ability to arrive in the right place but also to have the presence of mind to adjust his body and find the corner. It was a terrific finish, when you watch it back it’s a difficult finish.”

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the second half when Callum Johnson was sent off for a foul on Tom Bradshaw – something Rowett felt was harsh.

“I actually thought the sending-off made the game harder in some ways,” said the Millwall manager. “It allowed Portsmouth to block the game up and it’s not really our strength trying to find pockets and move the ball around in that way.

“I felt we started to go backwards, sideways. We still created chances – I think we had 20 shots and we’ve hit the post twice. Benik’s [Afobe] had a good chance – good save from the keeper.”

The Millwall boss is keen for his side to kill off games better after Ryan Leonanrd was forced to head a late effort off the line to keep the Lions in front.

“But there’s always a chance in the game for the opposition and in fairness to Portsmouth they worked incredibly hard,” he said. “They kept going and they had their one chance at the end to equalise because of our sloppiness. Longy [George Long] makes a really good save and the lad heads over. We’ve got to get better at killing the game off. We should have killed the game off a lot earlier than we did.”

Pictured: George Saville likes the sound of crowds back at The Den as he celebrates his winner against Portsmouth. BRIAN TONKS