GARY Rowett praised Zian Flemming’s skill and quality after his hat-trick against Preston North End.
The Dutchman scored twice within the first 16 minutes of the game before adding his third in the 64th minute.
It takes his total for the campaign up to eight goals, making him the Lions’ top scorer despite missing the start of the season.
“The last thing on earth I am is sick about talking about Zian Flemming, if he hadn’t scored then I wish I was talking about him!” Rowett joked after the game.
“We start the second half poorly. I thought Preston started how they ended the first half and put us under pressure for ten minutes, clearly they were the team that looked like getting the next goal. They had a couple of half chances that they didn’t make the most of.
“I had to change formation again so we had to go from a four to a five, I felt that gave us a real grip in the game, it gave us some control back.
“Third goal is a brilliant goal from Zian again. The ball comes into the box, he gambles, we’ve asked him to get in the box a little bit more. It’s just his touch, it’s sometimes those little moments of quality that open the finish up whereas some players snatch at it or take it too early. He just takes that extra touch around the defender and then a lovely little finish.
“Cressy’s [Cresswell] goal really sees Preston off. I felt, up until that point, they were still fighting and trying to get into areas. We changed formation again, I actually felt we looked quite comfortable at the end.”
Photo: Millwall FC