Neil Harris pleased with Millwall’s pre-season campaign after Real Sociedad draw

BY JAKE SANDERS

Neil Harris says Millwall were ‘fortunate’ to be playing Real Sociedad as Millwall completed their pre-season programme with a 3-3 draw against the La Liga side.

The Lions added to Jed Wallace’s early penalty with impressive second-half goals from Ben Thompson and a fine individual effort from Connor Mahoney on his first home appearance.

And after wins over Concord Rangers, Fleetwood Town and Gillingham and defeats to Braga and Southend United, Harris is delighted with how pre-season played out.

“We were just talking in the office, when you look at pre-season as a whole it’s been quite good. Fantastic trip to Portugal, Harris said. “We played Fleetwood who are going to be a good League One side this year.

“We played Gillingham and Southend in two local derbies and both teams were right at it against us, they really pushed us. Then we played Braga and Real Sociedad, two top European sides. As pre-seasons go for us it’s about the best I could have hoped for.

“To get a test like that, we’re really fortunate. What a good side they are. I said to the players beforehand it was going to be like playing Everton. They’re a team that are top eight or nine in one of the best leagues in the world.

“They’ve won La Liga’s, won cups, they’re a top side and are going to have good players. I sat and watched the game today to enjoy it and watch my team play, to take it in rather than to coach from the side or shout and get at the players. It was a huge learning curve today, there will be some really good video footage from that for us to show the players to make us even better next week.

“There were some really good individual performances. We used the ball well first half and got the ball forward at the right times. When we got the ball forward we caused them problems.

“We’ve got them down as having four or five shots, and it shows their quality that when they do get their opportunities they punish you.”

Harris added: “I was disappointed against Gillingham and Southend with our end product, we looked really rusty and leggy in those games. I knew we would because we did it on purpose, we pushed the boys the day before the game and the morning of the game so the boys would be tired in those games. But still I do expect from Championship players better quality in the final third. We backed off the boys the last two days and they showed their quality. The second and third goals were top, top strikes.”

PICTURE BY BRIAN TONKS