By Paul Green
TOMORROW is sure to be a memorable occasion when Neil Harris takes to the dugout at The Den for the first time since 2019 against Watford.
Harris and the Lions parted ways five years ago after things went a bit flat towards the end of his first tenure in the managerial hotseat.
Since then, he has gone on to land roles at Cardiff, Gillingham and Cambridge before making an emotional return to SE16 late last week following Joe Edwards’ axing to inspire Millwall to a superb 2-1 victory at Southampton.
But the Hornets game will be at a much more familiar location, with Harris fully determined to end the Lions’ poor run of form on their own patch.
“I’m very much looking forward to it,” he told News at Den.
“I can only go on hearsay and what members of staff have told me about there maybe being a disconnect between the pitch and the terrace.
“For whatever reason that is, or how long it has been for, is not for me to judge.
“I’ve just walked in the building so I can only go on what people here tell me and what fans I’ve bumped into in the street tell me.”
The mood has certainly lifted since Harris resumed control, with the manager keen to instil belief in his squad they can thrive again on their own pitch once again and pull clear of danger.
He explained: “Everyone has been so mega excited and positive.
“To get the points on the board at Southampton was huge, but to get the backing of the supporters that the team got was great.
“It was a performance the fans there were privileged to watch and be proud of.
“I did a post-match review of Southampton on Monday and a lot of it was around what it means to play for Millwall Football Club.
“One of the reasons I am here is to guide the group about how to play at The Den, where the form on paper has not been good enough.
“Again, performances are not for me to judge, but results have not been good enough.”