After the highs of the opening day for Millwall, Saturday’s return to The Den was everything but, as Middlesbrough ran out 3-0 winners in South London.

The Lions did have the best chance of the first-half, as Casper De Noore’s volleyed effort was cleared off the line by Luke Ayling, denying the Belgian midfielder his first goal since March.

After their lucky escape Boro took charge in the second-half, scoring just four minutes after the break through Hayden Hackney. Alfie Jones made it two in the 87th minute before Delano Burgzorg sealed victory in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Millwall will still feel hard done by to have lost by such a margin, especially after ending their awful Carrow Road record against Norwich City a week prior. However, Alex Neil took responsibility for the margin of defeat.

Alex Neil explains what he wants Millwall team to continue despite Middlesbrough defeat

The Lions could have easily levelled the game at 1-0, with Josh Coburn coming ever so close to scoring against his former club. However, his header was kept out only by the woodwork, but the home side continued to try and find an equaliser.

This is all part of Neil’s game plan, and he does not want his Millwall players to rest on their laurels. He explained his thinking after full-time (via: Southwark News): “If we score in the first half, it’s a different game because we’re normally very good at doing that.

“We’ve got a lead, we can counter-attack and leave spaces against opponents. That’s what we’re good at. I’ll take responsibility for the last maybe fifteen, twenty minutes where it’s a little bit messy, because at that point, we’re losing the game.

“What I’m not going to do is say, let’s try and keep the score down to two. What I’m going to try and do is always try and get the next goal. If it costs me a third, I know it looks worse, I know it’s not a good look, but it’s won us a lot of points since I’ve been here.

“Norwich is a great example. I could have battened down the hatches at Norwich. I didn’t. I put an extra striker on, and we go and win the match. That’s just always my instinct, to try and get the next goal. I don’t want to accept us ever being beat. If it makes it a sorer defeat, then, yeah, I do understand that, but for me, I think it’s worth the risk.”

Alex Neil will be looking for a reaction against Sheffield United

After progressing in the Carabao Cup last Tuesday against Newport County away from home, Millwall may be looking forward to getting back on the road on Saturday afternoon.

They make the trip to Sheffield United, a side who are struggling greatly at the very bottom of the Championship table, and Neil will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways at Bramall Lane.

Ruben Selles has urged ‘calm’ for the Blades but the Lions’ intense style of play may disrupt the Spaniard’s plans and the visitors may be able to inflict more pain on the South Yorkshire outfit.

Saturday was a learning curve for Millwall, and they will be hoping to put the pain of it behind them as they begin their preparations for matchday three.

Read more on;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk