Neil Harris ready to prove critics wrong again by topping Millwall's play-off push

EXCLUSIVE
Rise: Millwall finished three points outside the play-off spots after promotion to the Championship
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Giuseppe Muro2 August 2018

Neil Harris is relishing the chance to prove people wrong again.

He knows people are writing off Millwall’s chances of repeating last season’s form, when a 17-game unbeaten run took them to within a whisker of the Championship play-offs despite having one of the smallest budgets in the division. He knows the bookmakers do not think they can mount another promotion push.

But Harris and his players are determined to upset the odds.

“Of course there are question marks over us,” he says. “Can we do it again? Can Neil Harris and his staff produce a squad that can challenge for a top-half finish?

“The players believe they can and I believe in my players. Naturally the bookmakers make us among the favourites to be relegated but me and my players love proving people wrong.

“My challenge is to continue building a team that fights, scraps, upsets the odds, puts bums on seats and wins matches. I love rising to that challenge. My hunger is stronger than ever to make this team even better.

“Last season made us realise we belong at this level. It was almost a dream scenario. The cold, hard facts are that we were not quite good enough against the top sides.”

Spending in the Championship has reached unprecedented levels and the promotion race looks set to be more competitive than ever.

PA

“Our fanbase are realistic about where we sit budget-wise and that we over-achieved last year,” says Harris. “The starting point has to be to get to 50 points. That is not a negative mentality, it is realistic. And then see where it takes us because we have good players.

“Nottingham Forest and Stoke have again taken the spending to another level. Derby have brought in tons of players on big money. Market value has risen untold levels in a short space of time and it makes it extremely difficult for clubs like us to compete. But we like being the underdogs and upsetting the teams with big budgets.”

Harris signed a new, long-term contract in the summer and Millwall look to have done some shrewd transfer business within their budget. They missed out on winger Ben Marshall after his loan spell but have signed defender Murray Wallace and keeper Ben Amos, with winger Jiri Skalak set to join from Brighton. Harris wants another striker but, crucially, has kept hold of key players including centre-back Jake Cooper.

“For three and a half years now we have continually developed,” says the 41-year-old, who took over in 2015. “We have got back into the Championship but it is not just on the pitch but off it as well. The stadium looks fantastic, the pitch, LED board, the dugouts, everything has improved. The club have been dragged into the modern era.

“My job is to help do that by being successful. To do that I have to keep improving the squad. If that means people fall short and leave us, I have no concerns about that. I have to be ruthless and loyal to the people I believe in. As long as the players know that, that keeps their standard.”

Harris wants to make life uncomfortable for opposition teams again with his direct approach. “That is our plan,” he says. “That is what Millwall is about. I know what the fanbase demand and what is expected. Playing on the front foot, being aggressive, upsetting teams with our style and imposing ourselves.”

Harris is working on improving one key area as Saturday’s opening-day clash with Middlesbrough at The Den looms. “Stats show defensively we were outstanding last season,” he says. “We were in the top three for clean sheets and limiting opportunities in our area. We were in the top six for creating chances but we did not convert enough chances. That is everyone, not just the centre-forwards. It is somewhere we can improve.”

And ahead of the visit of Boro, he adds: “Anyone who finishes above them will get promoted. If we can upset the odds and get a win or a draw then straight away we show Millwall are back.”

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