MILLWALL goalkeeper Jordan Archer said the squad was disappointed with the draw at AFC Wimbledon last Monday, but believes that shows the expectations they now have.
The Lions won three successive games at The Den over Christmas and Aiden O’Brien’s stunning long-range strike at Kingsmeadow gave them the perfect start.
The Dons equalised before Steve Morison put the away side ahead five minutes before the break, but Neal Ardley’s side battled back again to level in the second half.
And Millwall could have lost the game if Archer hadn’t got down brilliantly to save Jake Reeves’ low shot.
“I was unsighted and it took a few deflections as well but I was lucky I was in the right area and got a hand to it,” he said. “It was a reflex save.
“The boys dug in well and I was happy to contribute.
“We knew it was going to be that type of game, physical and a lot of long balls, that’s the way Wimbledon are. We prepared all week and we stood up to the test.
“The Christmas period is always a tough one with games coming thick and fast within a few days. If you’d offered us ten points out of twelve at the start of it we’d have taken it. We were lucky to have three home games and the fans behind us.
“But even at a small ground (at Kingsmeadow) the away fans helped us towards the end. The boys have done well to get ten points in these generic to lexapro games.
“Both seasons we’ve started slow and we’re on similar points to what we were on at the same stage last season.
“We’ve got a few players back from injury like Hutchinson so hopefully we can kick on.
“The boys were very disappointed in the dressing room after the game and that shows the form we’re in. We led twice and gave away two quite sloppy goals.
“But to come and get a draw and get ten points, they’re not too downhearted.”
Archer wasn’t surprised by O’Brien’s goal, even if strikes like that don’t always come off for the attacker. “In training he does it quite a bit and sometimes they go into row Z. But it was nice to see it come off the underside of the crossbar, it’s something he’s capable of.”
Millwall have a break from league action as they welcome AFC Bournemouth to The Den this weekend, but Archer insisted the main goal is to get promotion at the end of this season.
“The boys are all looking forward to it, a Premier League team in the FA Cup,” he said.
“But our main focus is to get back into the Championship. This is a one-off game and we can go and enjoy it. Bournemouth will be the favourites but we’re not just going to lie down and let them get the win.
“We’re going to compete all game and everyone’s looking forward to it.”
Image: Millwall FC