Millwall boss always expected West Bromwich Albion to be serious promotion challengers under Darren Moore

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris backed West Bromwich Albion to be in the promotion shake-up before a ball was kicked – and nothing has changed his view ahead of Millwall’s trip to the Hawthorns tomorrow.

The Lions chief told the South London Press in pre-season that he believed the Baggies were in good shape to bounce straight back into the Premier League under Darren Moore.

West Brom are the top scorers in the division with 20 goals, and Millwall head there after only taking a point on the road in the current campaign.

“I like Mooro,” said Harris. “He is a really good man. He had a great career and has got a real response out of the team. They are going to be top six at the end of the season, just because of the Premier League quality they have got in terms of players and their individual ability.

“We’ve got to make sure we nullify their threats as much as possible and try and impose ourselves in the final third.

“It’s as tough a task as we’ve had on the back of a disappointing result in midweek. But it is a game I can’t wait for, I’m looking to see a reaction in my players – I certainly saw that against Leeds in the home game but we didn’t follow up in the first half at QPR.

“Again there were some harsh words after the game. The players know they need to react and they are more that capable of doing that.”

Harris took on some of the blame for the reverse at Loftus Road, saying he got his selection and tactics partially wrong.

Asked if his side was already crystallised for Saturday, he replied: “I’ve got some initial thoughts on the personnel and set-up having reviewed the [QPR] game. What was clear is too many of our key players weren’t at their best last night.

“That was clear to see. Our ball players weren’t as good as they normally are with the ball and our competitors were half a yard off the pace.”