KEVIN Nugent was delighted that Millwall supporters turned out in their numbers at The Den on Monday evening to see his “honest” under-21 side win the Professional Development League national trophy by beating Sheffield United 2-1.
An attendance of more than 2,000 in SE16 saw Romain Esse give the hosts the lead before captain Chin Okoli scored the winning goal in extra-time.
Nugent felt Lions fans played a crucial role in helping his team get over the line.
“It was fantastic the crowd that was here,” Nugent told Millwall TV. “We said the last game [in the semi-final against Hull City], it was a really exciting game after being 3-1 down and then winning 4-3, we said if there had been a crowd here the place would have been going mad.
“They were here tonight, they turned up in their numbers. It was brilliant, it was really good for the players and for all the staff as well.
“The staff have worked really hard as well so it was good for everyone that the fans have come along and they were noisy and really lifted the team when they needed it.
“It’s fantastic, it’s really good. Obviously we won the southern section to go into this, and it’s a really good standard.”
Millwall had a chance to double their lead only for Aidomo Emakhu’s effort to hit the post, though the Blades were also denied by the woodwork.
Nugent added: “Just after that [opening goal], around 20, 25 minutes, they started pushing us, they were a little bit stronger than us in terms of their press, made it a little bit more difficult for us to get on the ball.
“But we saw it out until half-time and then started the second half reasonably well, possibly could have been 2-0 up. But they had chances as well, they’re a good side so it was a real credit to the lads that we got the win.”
There was no panic from the Millwall players before they faced extra-time for the second consecutive game.
“Like we said before, they kind of just get on with things, this lot, they’re really honest, they never stop giving it a go,” Nugent said.
“We had a little shape change and I thought it gave us a little lift actually. At the extra-time bit I just said to them, ‘listen, it feels like we’ve found a bit of a second wind here’, and they just kept on going.
“It was a really good header [by Okoli] and it’s something he works on in training, so I’m really pleased for him.”
Nugent also had praise for Alfie Allen who had a fine game after the disappointment of the news last week that he was not being retained for next season.
“The fact that Alfie has wanted to come and play, he’s a great lad and another club should be grateful if they take him on to get him.”
Image: Millwall FC