Neil Harris expressed his admiration for Millwall’s display as they managed to see out a narrow victory at Rochdale, writes Ben Smith.
Millwall manager Neil Harris was delighted with the Lions’ defensive resilience in their 1-0 win over Rochdale on Saturday.
The triumph at Spotland was Millwall’s fifth away league success on the bounce, and keeps the south-east London side in contention for promotion to the Championship.
In Lee Gregory, whose 54th minute winner secured the points for the Lions, Millwall have one of the hottest strikers in the third tier.
The 27-year-old has registered 19 goals this term, and has struck nine times in his last eight outings in all competitions.
Discipline and aggression
But it was Millwall’s quality at the other end of the pitch that most pleased Harris as they made it three clean sheets on the bounce.
“It was a really disciplined and aggressive performance defensively, and the one clear opening we got we took,” Harris told Millwallfc.co.uk after the game.
“Lee Gregory will take the headlines again for yet another goal but I think he will be the first to pay tribute to the goalkeeper and the back four for a defensive display which deserved the clean sheet.”
With Southend United losing to Scunthorpe United, the Lions now have breathing space in the last play-off position, and Chopper recognised the importance of the three points.
He added: “I’m delighted with the result. It was keenly contested and it wasn’t pretty at times, but the boys dug in for what we may look back on as a really important victory for us this season.”
Promotion material
The Dale boss Keith Hill, gracious in defeat, was also full of praise for Millwall, who also beat the Greater Manchester outfit 3-1 in the reverse fixture in September.
“They’re a good side,” Hill told the BBC. “If you look at the squad there is quality in there, know-how and promotion-winning players.”
The ex-Barnsley gaffer likened the Lions to Preston North End, who showed similar mettle during their promotion campaign in 2014-15, and singled out former Wales international attacker Steve Morison as a key asset for the Lions.
“If you look at Morison up front, his game knowledge and the way he plays is outstanding at this standard. He portrays a winning attitude and application and he was defending corners and crosses exceptionally well.”
Millwall are set for back-to-back home games this week, with Scunthorpe and Peterborough United ready to visit The Den.