Millwall have three games to save themselves from a sorry season. Five years have passed since they beat Swindon Town in the League One play-off final but the question that hangs over south Bermondsey is whether the managerial appointment of Neil Harris, who played in that game, has come too late for a Championship reprieve.
“Since Neil has come in he’s revived us a bit and has got everyone positive and looking forward to the remaining challenge,” says the Millwall goalkeeper David Forde before Tuesday night’s match at Blackburn. “He has gone back to basics really, getting the work rate and ethic right, and that’s what the fans expect. He’s instilled that back in and has just lifted the belief. It’s out of our hands but we’ve given ourselves an opportunity.”
Forde is better placed than most to assess Millwall’s situation having spent seven years at the club, and speaks admiringly about his former team-mate, who is held in high regard by all at The Den. Harris, though, inherited a side bereft of form and with only 10 matches remaining, with Millwall entrenched in the relegation zone following a dreadful run under Ian Holloway.
In many ways it was a surprise when Harris – appointed until the end of the season – replaced Holloway. The latter had time left on his contract and Millwall – a club run with relative financial prudence in recent years – had been patient to such an extent that a change seemed unlikely.
Now, however, the situation has come to a head. Harris’s side sit four points behind Rotherham and trail Brighton by six with three matches remaining. Their goal difference is worse than both relegation rivals and the final two games look tough, against Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Yet they have been given a lifeline by Rotherham, who have been charged by the Football League with fielding an ineligible player, the on-loan defender Farrend Rawson, during their 1-0 victory over Brighton this month. Steve Evans’ side could have those three points deducted before the end of the campaign.
“You never know with the [possible] points deduction, with what’s going on at Rotherham,” Forde said. “We’ve still got a chance and, if we can win tomorrow night, we’re back in business. You’re just looking for a fair outcome. But as things stand nothing has actually happened so we can’t really get too involved in it. We just have to get the three points and then a decision is made later.”
A deduction for Rotherham would close the gap at the bottom of the Championship. Blackpool have been doomed since the early days of the season and Wigan Athletic – who are one point behind Millwall having played a game more – are poised for a second relegation in three years.
Rotherham, though, still have to play Norwich, Reading and Leeds. Only Norwich of those three sides have something to fight for, although Leeds – engulfed in a crisis of their own – may relish the chance to relegate their Yorkshire rivals on the final day.
After the first month of the season many would not have envisaged such a precarious scenario for Millwall. They started the campaign well under Holloway but things soon went wrong. The football was often turgid, especially at home, and their victory over Charlton Athletic earlier this month was their first win at The Den since October.
“It has been a very challenging season,” says Forde. “It’s one that has flattered to deceive really. We started off so well and were looking at the play-offs before the first international break. Then we ended up getting a lot of draws and were struggling to find the back of the net.
“We had a bad period up until Christmas. But we were involved in a lot of the games. It was often a loss by the odd goal here and there. We’ve been on top in games and often suckerpunched at the other end. Ian was unlucky, he’s a fantastic manager and a fantastic man. It’s hard to put your finger on what went wrong.”
Harris will be without the suspended Ed Upson on Tuesnight and Shaun Williams and Shaun Cummings are also out. The coach has said there is no pressure on his side and has at least ensured that Millwall have not relinquished their Championship status without a fight.
“I think Millwall is at the minimum a Championship club,” says Forde. “It’s disappointing that we find ourselves in this position but that’s life. I’m very optimistic. We have the experience of the last few years and I think we can do it. We look at this game as must-win.”
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