'Caused us problems' - Millwall boss shares honest verdict after Sheffield United draw
Sheffield United were forced to settle for a point against Millwall on Saturday, drawing 1-1 at The Den.
Millwall head coach Alex Neil hinted that a draw was a fair outcome following their 1-1 stalemate with Sheffield United at The Den on Saturday afternoon.
Just two minutes after falling behind to Andre Brooks’ pinpoint effort, Millwall responded via Mihailo Ivanović’s seventh Championship goal of the season, finishing off a free-kick routine.
From that moment onwards, both sides had opportunities to get their noses in front in the quest for three points, but neither of them could find a way through, meaning they played out their first stalemate since a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane back in April 2019.
With neither side prepared to roll over, each giving all they possibly could, with both teams proving particularly threatening down their respective right flanks, it meant they earned a point apiece. And in the opinion of Neil, whose side have now reached the 50-point mark, the game unfolded in exactly the sort of manner he expected it to.
“It was a tight game,” Neil said, as quoted by NewsAtDen. “It was exactly the type of game I thought it would be. I knew it was going to be competitive. I knew it was going to be two teams really going at it and both trying to score. It was always going to be a case of who can hurt who most.
“My frustration, at the start of the game, was that I thought we had the best chance. We didn’t take it. They then go up the other end. I thought their goal was a good bit of quality for them, but disappointing from the other point of view in terms of defending.
“Throughout the game, I thought our right side caused them problems defensively, and their right side caused us problems defensively. The game was always going to be who can hurt who most, and that’s how it panned out.”
Neil not surprised by pattern of the game
Prior to the clash with the Blades, Millwall had won their last outing 4-0, making light work of London rivals Charlton Athletic. However, Neil always anticipated his side would be in for a stern test against the Blades.
“We spoke about it all week with the lads that we need to play our game better than they play their game,” added the Millwall boss. “Both teams are relatively transitional teams. Both teams are really dangerous in the break, and it was going to be a case of who could take the chances and be a little bit more clinical.
“I didn’t think there was loads in the second half for either team. The game ebbed and flowed a little bit. They started probably a little bit brighter. As the game wore on, we looked more likely to take it and maybe get the goal that we wanted.
“But probably just a little bit of a lack of quality in final third areas – just that little final pass or final detail or final shot to try and nick the points.
“I thought it was a real physical game, in general. It was always going to be that way, though. I fully expect my lads to get in there and try to win every ball.
“Chris is the exact same. There was never going to be a yard given anywhere, so it was always going to end that way.”