Millwall midfielder Molumby on strong home form ahead of Charlton derby – and dissects Reading defeat

BY ALEX GRACE

Jayson Molumby felt Millwall “didn’t come out of the blocks quickly enough” in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Reading.

The Lions found themselves 2-0 down against the Royals at half-time. Jordan Obita had given the hosts the lead before Sam Baldock’s strike from outside the box meant the Lions faced an uphill challenge in the second half.

“The expectation from this club and the fans expect to get results, obviously we didn’t come out of the blocks quickly enough and conceded two poor goals,” said Molumby, who is on a season-long loan from Brighton.

“I think it could have been rectified, we could have stopped them potentially, but in the second half we picked ourselves up and in the end we are unlucky not to get anything out of the game.”

Jed Wallace pulled a goal back for Millwall in the 63rd minute.

Molumby, Ireland U21 captain, said: “The goal had a massive effect, a moment of magic from Jed, to get a goal that changed the whole direction of the match and we had chances.

“Jon [Dadi Bodvarsson] had a chance, there was a few scrappy ones around the box, maybe on another day we come out of here with a point or even three points, but we have to pick ourselves up because we have a big home game next week and we know our form at home is quite good, so we will go into that all guns blazing.”

The Lions host Charlton at The Den on Saturday looking to extend a 23-year unbeaten streak against Lee Bowyer’s side.

Asked if he felt that Saturday’s derby was the perfect opportunity to bounce back Molumby said: “Yeah of course. And I think every big game, we have answered at home this season. So we will be going into it full of confidence, you know our home form speaks for itself. We will be going into it aiming for three points.”

Gary Rowett had his first full week in charge of the club prior to Saturday’s game.

Molumby said: “It’s going really well. You can see already there are new things coming into place, playing a bit more football and having some more control in games, not rushing things or over playing things. I think it has worked well so far and you can see in games like today that it’s just faults on the pitch, but yes so far everything has been positive so far under the new manager.

“Whatever the manager asks me to play it’s down to me to be able to do it. This gaffer has come in and wants me to pass and get on the ball a bit – that’s what I like doing and that’s how I want to play.

“I don’t care about playing as long as the team are winning and we are doing alright.”