The Lions made it five home games unbeaten courtesy of a hard-fought 0-0 draw with in-form Bradford City, Ben Smith reports.
Millwall manager Neil Harris was “delighted” with his team’s resilience during the Lions’ stalemate with Bradford City on Saturday.
In a game of few chances but an abundance of hard work and endeavour, the south-east Londoners defended well to keep the Bantams – who haven’t lost in the league since late September – at bay.
The point lifts the Lions to seventh in League One – just two points behind Bury who occupy the final play-off place.
Solidity at the back was a recurring theme at The Den for Millwall during October, and the draw with Bradford marked their fourth successive home clean sheet.
‘Lacked quality’
The two sides only mustered 10 shots between them on Saturday afternoon – just two of which were on target.
The hosts had the best chance of the game halfway through the second half, but the Bantams’ goalkeeper Ben Williams was equal to Shaun Williams’ header.
Harris, who has now overseen 29 games as the Lions’ boss, told millwallfc.co.uk: “I’m delighted with the clean sheet.
“The effort, determination and defending was fantastic at times, but we maybe just lacked a little bit of quality all over the park really.
“We put a lot of balls into their backline, in and around their box, and I think Steve Morison put in a terrific performance as a target man today. He used his body well, used his experience well and won a lot of flick-ons and nod-downs.”
Despite the solid performance Harris admitted that signs of tiredness were creeping into the team, adding: “I just felt that as a team we were not proactive onto the next ball and were a little bit reactive. That was maybe a sign that it was just a game too far for some bodies out there.
“But on the whole I’m delighted with the point and with how far we have come since October 3rd at Peterborough.”
Injury worries
Defender Tony Craig was forced off due to injury in the second half after a clash with Bradford striker James Hanson, but Harris isn’t certain of the severity of the knock yet.
“It’s too early to tell,” he said.
“He has got a sore knee and a sore ankle so has some pain all down there. We don’t know how he is going to settle down.
“It was a great tackle so we have our fingers crossed. He has been an outstanding captain and has played really well this season.”
National League North outfit AFC Fylde are the next visitors to The Den as Millwall get their FA Cup campaign underway this Saturday.
Harris’ men then travel to Plymouth for a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie three days later before returning to league action at second-placed Burton Albion on November 14.