AIDEN O’Brien said his goal on his international debut had given him “huge confidence” ahead of the Lions’ London derby against QPR at Loftis Road tonight.
O’Brien scored in the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw against Poland last week, and followed it up with one of his best performances of the season for Millwall against Leeds on Saturday.
He believes Millwall need to cut out the late defensive lapses that have seen them concede six goals after the 73rd minute in league games this season.
“The goal has given me huge confidence to kick on for the rest of the season,” O’Brien said.
“We need to start picking up three points. We have really good performances, score, and then the opposition seems to find a way to score late on. We have to stop letting teams do that.
“It was a kick in the teeth after all the running we had done, the boys put so much into it against Leeds.
“We need to be more solid and our season will blossom if we do that.
“I don’t think any team in this division is going to be fitter than us. You see how much we run in every game, we don’t stop, we’re a front-foot team.”
Lions boss Neil Harris is set to make changes to his side, with a trip to West Brom on Saturday followed by the third round of the EFL Cup at home to Fulham the following Tuesday.
Striker Tom Bradshaw is pushing for his first league start and could partner Tom Elliott up front if Harris decides to change his front two.
QPR manager Steve McClaren could name the same side that won 2-1 at Bolton at the weekend, the seventh point they have picked up from the last nine available, after starting the season with four successive league defeats.
Possible Millwall starting XI:
4-4-2: Amos; McLaughlin, M Wallace, Cooper, Meredith; J Wallace, Leonard, Williams, O’Brien; Elliott, Bradshaw.
Match odds:
QPR 7/5 Draw 21/10 Millwall 2/1
Last season’s meetings:
QPR 2-2 Millwall (Luongo 73′, Smith 85′; McLaughlin 6′, Gregory s/o 41′, Wallace 50′); Millwall 1-0 QPR (Morison 55’).
Image: Millwall FC