Harris rues defensive mentality as Lions draw with Hull

Neil Harris was left disappointed with his players’ defensive responsibility as Millwall allowed Hull to fight back to a 2-2 draw at the Den on Saturday afternoon. 

The draw did help Millwall climb out the relegation places, up one spot to 21st, but there was a sense of disappointment in the air at the final whistle of two points dropped rather than one gained against a relegation rival. 

It was Hull’s equalising goal on 72 minutes which had Harris most upset, ruing the lapse of concentration seen in his defenders.

“Mentally we’ve got to be better, when you’re defending, my man doesn’t touch the ball, my man doesn’t score”

Neil Harris speaking in his post-match press conference

He also addressed the need to stop conceding two goals a game citing their excellent result the previous weekend, drawing 1-1 away at Bristol City.

Millwall currently sit with a goal difference of -9 and Harris understands the significance of solidity in his backline by stating:

“we can’t keep scoring goals at one end and conceding at the other. We have to get back to noughts and ones”

Neil Harris speaking in his post-match press conference

Harris was also asked what has perhaps changed from last season, a campaign they overachieved eventually finishing 8th, just three points off of the play-off places. 

“It’s the same back four today and a lot of similar players, mid-sets the one. Harris stated. “Confidence certainly”

“We saw in so many ways a simple Millwall performance, a Millwall performance that completely dominated Hull”

Neil Harris speaking in his post-match press conference

The mentality of his side has often been lauded, making The Den somewhat of a fortress, as they look to compete against Championship heavyweights such as Aston Villa and Middlesbrough on a tight budget.

Harris will know that it is vital that his side’s performances improve in order to ease both pressure on relegation and also his job, which he has held permanently since 2015.

The Lions now travel to 15th placed Preston looking to make it three unbeaten in the league and convert successive draws into wins as they look to steer clear of the drop.