Ipswich 1-3 Millwall - Manager Reaction

Last updated : 14 March 2004 By Site Editor
Town Boss Joe Royle was less than happy with his sides defending, and insisted it was why the blues lost: "The game was lost in the first half because of our inability to defend simple crosses. We went in at half-time two down and with two centre-halves off the field.

"I took heart from the second half especially from our younger players. Diallo has five stitches in a head wound while Santos is still groggy and his nose is splattered right across his face. Santos is the biggest doubt of the two for Tuesday's match at Walsall."

Royle also admits he has not given up on automatic promotion, but if he was offered the play-off's now, he would take them: "I've seen late runs so you can never say never. At the start of the season automatic promotion was our aim.

"I despise the play-offs because I think that the third-placed club should go up. But if we make the play-offs this season, of course I'll take it."

Meanwhile Millwall boss Dennis Wise was understandably pleased with his sides comprehensive win: "It was a great result. The lads set out their stall and did exactly as I asked of them, they know we have a chance of the play-offs.

"When I ask them to focus on the league they do it, when I ask them to focus on the FA Cup they do that too. They work extremely hard for each other. We were the better side on the day and deserved to win. We scored three good goals and after that we stood strong.

"I had left Neil Harris out. I had a talk with him and he is a very understanding young man. He had been suffering from a virus and sometimes it takes longer than expected to come back. He came back today looking very sharp. That's the Neil Harris I want.

"We are all in this together. If we succeed, we succeed together but if we fail we fail together. If that's the case it won't be for want of having a good old go."