Millwall kept his hopes of championship play-off with a 3-1 victory over Norwich City on Easter Monday, bouncing strongly from his defeat of Good Friday in Blackburn.
Chief coach Alex Neil, facing his former club, was full of praise for the response of the lions after his reverse of Ewood Park, since an orthopedic device from Mihailo Ivanovic and a goal from FEMI Azeez won a fourth consecutive house victory.
With other results on his way, Millwall is three points from Coventry City in sixth place before Saturday’s clash with Swansea City.
Ivanovic opened the scoring in eight minutes when Azeez’s driving cross bounced in the knee of the Serbian and in the lower corner.
Azeez doubled Millwall’s leadership in the 39th minute, in the direction of George Saville’s free kick in the nearby position.
Norwich found a way back to the contest before part time. Shane Duffy got up higher to nod at the corner of Jacob Wright in the back post.
Image: Keith Gillard
The Canary Islands failed to take advantage of the impulse after the break and Ivanovic added their second goal and Millwall’s third goal in the 69th minute, addressing another piece of Saville to home to take his account for the season to 12 goals in all competitions.
“Friday was a game too far to us in terms of intensity that we have put in so many games,” said Neil.
“Physically, we are stretched as a squad.
“Many of the boys who have come have played many games, it is difficult, but they have done very well, so it is difficult to be critical.
“We were all disappointed with Blackburn.
“However, when we have had a setback, the answer has been emphatic.
Image: Keith Gillard
Image: Keith Gillard
“That was one of our best performances in terms of effort and Chans created. We were the dominant team through the game, and Norwich is a good side. They have good attacking players, they are the seconds that Thertcorers Titen in the Thrtcorers of the League focus on winning the game, for obvious reasons.”
Neil hastened to highlight the structure of his team compared to the one that came out in Blackburn.
“I felt that the balance was a lot, much better today,” he explained.
“We do not play enough in Blackburn. If you do not play enough, it does not drag another player in the center of the field and stay intact. We were too direct and we did not win enough duels. Today we play and treat.
“The wide player offered something different: Tristan overlaps Luke (Sende) on the one hand, and Zak (Sturge) supports from behind in the other. BAG was starting his first game at this level and George [Evans] He was playing his second after granting four away from home. We have had a lot to deal with, but we ask ourselves “we cry or feel sorry for our retreats. We have dusted, we have put ourselves to the boys who are available in the team and have done it brilliantly.”
Image: Keith Gillard
Image: Keith Gillard
Now there are 11 championship goals for Ivanovic since his Mo -Mouth of Serbia in the summer and Neil praised his striker.
“He has grown up as a player,” said the chief coach. “He is leading the best line, his understanding of when to go and the press has improved, and his movement in the box is something about him since I came here.
“You can see now, with the chans you are receiving, that has improved greatly.
“We have to take into account: this child is 20 years old, has come from a foreign country and has had to learn everything about the League. That is 12 goals now, which is a great achievement for him personally. But for us, we have Todo Strikers. Really very good.”
Photos: Keith Gillard
