Neil Harris, the manager of Millwall, expressed his frustration with the demanding schedule his team has been facing after their recent 1-1 draw against Stoke City. Despite maintaining an unbeaten streak in the Championship for seven matches, Harris criticized the hectic fixture sequence that his players had to endure.
The game saw Josh Coburn scoring the opening goal for Millwall in the first half, only to be equalized by Stoke City’s captain, Ben Gibson, in the second half. Harris praised his players for their performance, especially considering the tight schedule they had been facing.
Reflecting on the match, Harris acknowledged Stoke City’s strong performance and their ability to challenge his team. He noted that his players appeared fatigued in the second half, leading to more opportunities for Stoke City to dominate possession. Despite this, Millwall had several good chances to score, with Femi Azeez coming close to securing a hat-trick.
One controversial moment in the game was a potential penalty decision when Jake Cooper was seen tugging Wouter Berger’s shirt during a corner kick. Berger’s reaction led to a booking, but Harris believed that his team may have been fortunate to escape without conceding a penalty. He admitted that, from his perspective, it appeared to be a clear foul, but acknowledged that decisions can be subjective in football.
Overall, Harris emphasized the resilience and determination of his players in navigating a challenging fixture list. The manager’s comments shed light on the physical and mental toll that such a schedule can have on a team, highlighting the importance of player management and recovery strategies in professional football. Despite the obstacles they faced, Millwall’s performance against Stoke City demonstrated their fighting spirit and ability to compete at a high level in the Championship.
