Millwall are within the Championship play-offs for the primary time in 24 years – however they’ve one thing of a specialist on this format on their facet in boss Alex Neil.
The Scotsman has steered three groups to promotion via play-offs in his managerial profession, guiding Hamilton to the Scottish Premiership, Sunderland to the Championship and – in 2015 – Norwich to the Premier League.
His present facet Millwall are favourites to see off Hull Metropolis of their semi-final and make it to Wembley to face both Southampton or Middlesbrough. The Lions completed third within the Championship and in 17 of the previous 20 Championship seasons the third-placed group has crushed the sixth-placed group within the play-offs.
However Neil is aware of it’s about delivering in the important thing moments that matter at this level – no matter what has gone earlier than.
“I’ve been in both ends of play-offs, where we’ve been regarded as favourites or we’ve been regarded as underdogs. I don’t think it really matters,” he advised Sky Sports activities at Millwall’s coaching floor, the place last preparations for Friday’s journey to the MKM Stadium have been being made.
Friday eighth Could 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
“It boils right down to who performs nicely on the day. We performed Hull twice this season. They beat us at their place. We beat them at their place. And there wasn’t so much within the video games. So I do not learn into it that manner [of Millwall being favourites].
“It may be the moments that matter.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights of the Sky Wager Championship match between Millwall and Oxford United.
“Does somebody have a moment of magic, a bit of quality? Making sure you try and limit the mistakes and errors that you make across the game, or somebody might come up with a big save.
“We have definitely obtained guys throughout our squad that have gotten that high quality and that little bit of magic, however equally we have guys who defend their field brilliantly in massive moments, and we have [Anthony Patterson] in aim, so we are able to make a giant save when required.”
Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson gained promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs with Sunderland final season
Patterson was Neil’s goalkeeper when he took Sunderland up from League One through the play-offs, and the shot-stopper was a hero for Sunderland once more within the Championship play-off last win over Sheffield United final season. Tommy Watson, who scored the profitable aim in that match at Wembley, can be on mortgage at Millwall this season.
Millwall even have the likes of central midfielder Barry Bannan of their ranks, who has had play-off success with Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and that have could possibly be important with the stakes so excessive.
“I do believe as a coach, as a player, the more big games you become accustomed to and you play in the better it is for you because they’re big atmospheres, they’re big moments,” stated Neil. “When there’s intensity and there’s pressure and there’s scrutiny, you can cope with it.
“The extra publicity you get to that, the higher.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
The Sky Sports activities Important EFL podcast appears forward to the Championship play-off semi-final.
Millwall completed the common Championship season with the very best away file within the division.
These performances and outcomes on the highway give them the boldness to “attack” this primary leg in Hull earlier than Monday’s return sport at The Den, says Neil.
“Our away form has been the best in the division, so we’re hoping to get a positive result in the first leg and then bring it back to The Den. The key thing is making sure the occasion doesn’t get the better of you, that will be crucial for both teams.
“I believe the most important distinction is that we now play with out worry [away from home].
“Whether we’re home or away, we approach games the same way. There’s no major change in style depending on the venue, and that consistency has helped us pick up some brilliant away results.
“From our perspective, we have nothing to lose. It is about attacking each sport and giving our greatest, simply as we have finished all season.”
Watch Hull Metropolis vs Millwall dwell on Sky Sports activities Soccer from 7pm on Friday; kick-off 8pm.
