NEIL Harris is demanding consistency from his players after they set a new benchmark with their performance against Charlton last week.
Millwall, who host Watford at The Den tomorrow, have been improving game-by-game under Harris’ leadership and claimed their first victory over the Addicks on Good Friday.
The Lions have scored the second-fewest goals in the Championship (35) so netting four in their last two games represents progress – and Harris wants that continue on Saturday.
He said: “I want them to perform again like they did last week. I’ve asked for consistency now.
“I see consistency being game after game after game – producing the same performance levels four, five and six games in a row.
“We were excellent against Brentford and Charlton and now I’ll ask for the same against Watford.
“You can also be consistent within a game, and have long spells when you’re on top and dominating.
“We did that against Charlton, including when it was 11 vs. 11, because we had sustained periods of play and that’s what we need to repeat.
“Spells of pressure grind teams down and cause them to make mistakes. So I’m asking the boys, rather than be excellent for 20 minutes, can we be on top for a whole half?
“That’s where the tempo of training becomes important because you have to train like you play, and play like you train. We’re getting that right at the moment.
“That is allowing us to sustain periods of pressure in games and maintain high concentration levels.
“We have to keep that passion and pride in our play. I want the lads to keep enjoying it but the work ethic has got to stay.
“If I even get a hint of that dropping in an individual, then they won’t play.
“Those are the foundations we’re building on at the moment and they’ve got to stay right until the end of the season, that’s not a grey area.”