KEVIN Nugent was disappointed by the way Millwall under-21’s approached the first half of their Professional Development League play-off semi-final tie, but was delighted by their character and determination to come from 3-1 down.
The Lions were pegged back by two goals at the start of the match but struck back through Nana Boateng just before half-time. While the Tigers scores again just after the break, Millwall managed to level things up in stoppage time before winning the match in the early stages of extra time, setting up a play-off final against Sheffield United.
Nugent labelled the match as ‘exciting’, but admitted that his team needed to do more in the early stages to secure an easier win. However, he highlighted the mental strength in his squad as a key attribute, while also praising Hull for an incredibly competitive matchup.
“It was exciting, but sometimes you look at it and think it’s a shame that we haven’t got a big crowd watching it,” he told NewsAtDen. “We’ve had that a few times this season.
“At half-time, although we were down, the goal just before the break was a big one for us. I said to the lads that I thought we were playing at 50 or 60 percent of our maximum and that we could improve, and that we’ve come from behind before. We had that belief to carry on and do it.
“Even when we went 2-0 down, they only had two opportunities but they were keeping the ball very well. Sometimes it feels like you’re getting really dominated in the game, but that wasn’t really the case in terms of chances. We had some chances early on in that first half as well, but we knew that the lads had that spirit to keep going.
“The nerves were certainly a part of that. You could see that the lads were cramping up a little bit as well. Equally, Hull are a really good side. The four teams that have been included – Sheffield United, Bristol City, Hull and ourselves – are four good sides.
“Tactically as well, a lot of them are playing similar to first teams, so our lads have had to deal with that. Hull are a good side and they were causing us some problems playing out through the back.”
Photo: Millwall FC