MILLWALL players are not feeling any pressure as they chase a top-six spot, but Steve Morison hinted at their confidence by referencing Wembley and using the word “when” rather than “if” after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.
The Lions are currently sixth, one point head of Derby and with Middlesbrough, a place above them, still to play.
Millwall are potentially six games away from the Premier League.
“We’re not feeling any pressure,” Morison said. “People keep going on about it but the only time we’ll feel pressure is when we’re stepping out at Wembley on May 26. Then it will be real, when we’re that close to the Premier League.
“What have we got to feel pressure about? We never expected to be here, no one expects us to be here. Everyone expects us to fall away.
“Everyone’s calm here. I said in the huddle before the game that we have a unique thing at this football club and we’re lucky that we’ve got a dressing room that’s going to fight and run for you.
“Even if you’re having a bad game, like I was, you knew the other 10 were going to keep working hard and pull you out of it. Even though I wasn’t playing well I managed to pull it out in the end and we got a draw.”
It was Morison’s fifth goal of the season, after he flicked Jake Cooper’s long ball past Jamal Blackman.
“It was just instinct. As it was coming I was wondering if it was going to get there but in the end it was a nice, calm finish,” Morison continued. “I’m not going to say I knew exactly what I was going to do. I’m a much better player when I work on instinct. When I have time in and around the box I’m not as clinical.
“It was a big goal and if I hadn’t got it I was coming off. Tom [Elliott] was coming on for me. I didn’t have a very good game. I was very good at getting the ball but not very good when I had the ball.
“It wasn’t my best game, but everyone is just going to see ‘Sheffield United 1-1 Millwall’ and that I scored the equaliser.”
Millwall left Bramall Lane with a point thanks to three brilliant saves from Jordan Archer to deny George Baldock, Lee Evans and Billy Sharp.
Morison said: “We give him plenty of stick but he deals with it, takes it on the chin and gets on with it. He was massive today. He made some great saves and came for some important crosses as well.”
Milwall will need to inflict a first league defeat on Fulham in 22 games to move four points clear of Derby next Friday night.
Morison said after last year’s League One play-off final he would take fourth last at the end of their first season back in the Championship.
“I stand by that,” he added. “We’re living the dream right now and if anyone says now they knew this was going to happen they would be lying to you.
“Maybe my problem is I speak the truth too much and it comes back and bites me on the arse.
“We never planned for this so we can enjoy the ride. But, as the gaffer said a few times, the table doesn’t lie. After 43 games we are exactly where we should be.”
Image: Millwall FC