Steve Morison on why he is ready to take heat from Leeds fans – and Millwall boss Harris on Elland Road test

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Steve Morison is ready to cop any flak from Leeds United fans tomorrow – because it will ease the heat on his Millwall team-mates.

The Lions head to Elland Road this weekend aiming for a positive result to boost their Championship survival prospects.

And matches against Leeds have grown in terms of needle in recent times – making it something of a grudge fixture.

Morison played for the Yorkshire giants before heading back for his current spell with Millwall.

And the 35-year-old veteran has no issues with soaking up any abuse which heads his way.

“It’s just one of those things where I didn’t have a great time there,” said Morison. “I enjoyed playing, when I was playing.

“People love someone to hate. If everyone wants to focus on me and hate me then it’s fine, because it’s less pressure on everyone else.

“Even if I don’t get on the football pitch they will still hammer me.

“Jed [Wallace] has said already that he is going to look forward to me going out to warm up because the boos are going to ring out.

“I won’t say I’m going to do a lap of honour if we win – but I might do!”

Shane Ferguson starts his three-match suspension and that is likely to mean a start at left-back for either James Meredith or Ben Marshall.

Marshall, Ben Thompson and Fred Onyedinma are all available again after being cup tied for the defeat to Brighton before the international break.

The Lions enjoyed their last visit to Elland Road just over 14 months ago – Jed Wallace scoring an injury-time winner in a dramatic 4-3 victory.

This time around though Leeds have stayed the pace longer in the promotion chase – but did drop out of the top two after a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United last time out.

“Leeds’ work ethic with and without the ball is exceptional,” said Millwall manager Neil Harris. “The tempo they play at, especially at home and bayed on by a big crowd, is a huge factor for them.

“We certainly have to look at matching their legs and energy.

“They have attacking threats all over the pitch. They score goals from set-pieces and from distance. They get goals from around the box and inside the box.

“Patrick Bamford and Pablo Hernandez are two players particularly in form and we need to try and contain them.

“We’ll go with a positive mindset that we can cause a huge upset. Look at us last year, we embraced the challenge. We’ve been looking forward to this one for weeks and it is exciting.

“We’ll remember what a good occasion it was for us before, but knowing it is different personnel. We need to play with no fear. Leeds are under huge pressure to win.”