MILLWALL boss Neil Harris believes the determination to prove people wrong is driving the performances of his players this season.
Millwall’s goal-scorers in the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, Jed Wallace and George Saville, were let go for small fees by Wolves last summer. They are the Lions’ two top scorers this season, with 11 goals between them.
Harris also signed Jake Cooper after he was told by Reading he could leave, and the centre-back has turned in a number of commanding displays.
Millwall have spent less than £2million this season, compared to Boro’s outlay of more than £40million.
“On paper, you look at the prices of the players and we’re miles behind. But I think we show week-in, week-out at this level that my players are on the rise,” Harris said. “I’ve got really good players in my dressing room and we can complete.
“You look at the players we brought in, the ones we paid for in Jed, George and Jake, they’ve all got a real point to prove. They’ve all been at Championship clubs, and rightly so because they are good Championship players, but weren’t necessarily fancied by their clubs.
“They’ve come here, they live locally, they want to be here, they want to strive to be better and prove people wrong.
“And then there are people like Shaun Hutchinson who was at a Championship club and was let go by Fulham. He’s got a point to prove, he’s a top, top centre-half at this level.
“The players we brought in from League One, Conor McLaughlin, Tom Elliott, James Meredith, played all their careers in the lower leagues. They want to prove themselves.
“Mahlon Romeo was let go by Gillingham a couple of years ago. They are hungry players. Steve Morison wants to prove people wrong every game. All the players have something to prove. I’m not saying other clubs don’t have that, but it works for us.”
Image: Millwall FC