NEIL Harris admitted Millwall are in a “tricky spell” – but praised the “outstanding” support of Lions fans at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
After a first half in which Millwall showed no fear and created the better chances, they conceded twice in eight minutes after the break and will end the weekend in the Championship’s bottom three.
There were 2,299 Millwall supporters in the away end, and they never wavered in their support of the side, despite seeing a fifth league defeat in six games.
“I couldn’t believe it when I looked over,” Harris said. “Let’s get it right, we’re in a horrible run of games, the worst run while I’ve been in charge, clearly.
“And the support they showed me and the players was top drawer. I never take it for granted at our football club how good they are.
“Today they drove the team on, supported the team, appreciated at the end – when nearly every one of them stayed – a good performance.
“We’ve had a great three-and-a-half years, we’re in a tricky spell. We need everybody to stick together – and I thought today their backing was outstanding.”
Millwall were a match for their opponents until the 68th minute, when Dwight Gayle nudged the hosts in front, before Kieran Gibbs added a second.
Harris said: “We’re disappointed with the result, but proud of the performance. I just said to the players that when we’re so good, as we were at times in the first half, we have to be clinical, and we had three good chances to score.
“But at the other end when things aren’t going for you it really kicks you when you’re down. It’s a terrific save from Ben [Amos], a point-blank header [from Ahmed Hegazi]. As we’re about to head it clear it clips the bar and goes to Dwight Gayle’s foot.
“You can’t do anything about those moments. The second goal, it goes through Mahlon Romeo’s legs, if that hits his shin pad and goes wide, no problem.
“I’m pleased with the players because QPR the other night wasn’t good enough first half. We can point to loads of things where we’re not scoring enough goals, we’ve had too many poor halves of football, in my opinion, over the course of the first nine games.
“But there were enough positive today, in individuals, the character of the team, to know that once we get that first little bit of luck, or that performance, to get us the win, then there’s plenty more to come.”
Image: Millwall FC