Millwall manager Harris coy on formation switch for Sheffield United clash

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall manager Neil Harris is keeping a tight lid on his plans for Sheffield United today – with talk he could switch to a 3-5-2 formation.

The Lions boss changed to a three-man central defence in the second half of Tuesday’s 3-1 EFL Cup loss to Fulham at The Den.

United play a 3-5-2 formation and Blades boss Chris Wilder was in the crowd to watch the South Londoners in midweek.

It is a system which Harris has turned to before – but predominantly Millwall’s success in the past three seasons has been with a 4-4-2 line-up.

The Lions are winless in the Championship since August 18 and it has caused debate among fans whether a change in tactics is needed.

But Harris, who has won promotion both as a player and manager with the SE16 outfit, said: “We’ve got to weigh things up and find what is best for certain games or best for the group.

“People on the outside look to blame someone, there is a blame culture in the modern day world, but that is why I don’t listen to fans and don’t do social media. We don’t have a blame culture – we just try and help and improve people. It will be the same on Saturday and it’s a great test. Sheffield United are fourth in the league and very good at what they do.

“Sometimes you have to be adaptable and we changed against Fulham to try and get a foothold in the game. But you don’t want to change too much because it can confuse people when you go from one system to the next. 

“We’ve been very reliable and very, very good at 4-4-2 – very hard to beat. We’ve had great success. Of course it is our preferred system.

“But I’ve changed it before, certainly when we have been chasing a game – it enabled us to press the ball a bit higher against Fulham. In some ways it suited the players but in many ways it was not too different to how we played in the first half, just a little more aggressive with our positioning.

 

“When we change we have to change with purpose and people have to be clear what they are doing – but also be respectful to the other team who are very well-drilled and good at what they do. They can still hurt you. It can’t be change just for the sake of it.”

Left-back James Meredith had an injection in his knee on Monday. He sat out Tuesday’s fixture.

“We’ll have to see how it settles down,” said Harris. “He has got a chance for Saturday.

“We couldn’t put off the injection any longer, he’s been struggling for a period of time with his knee.

“You have to balance off treating people at the right time with also trying to win games

“The boys who were struggling with knocks and niggles from the previous weeks – Shaun Williams, Jed Wallace and Steve Morison – got a rest in midweek. That should do them good, they should be fully fit and raring to go.”

Ryan Leonard is able to face the Blades despite his initial move to Millwall being on loan – the two clubs already having a permanent deal locked down for January.

Ryan Tunnicliffe (broken toe) should also be in contention for a midfield slot.