Ipswich 2-0 Millwall - Manager Reaction

Last updated : 12 September 2004 By Mad Reporter
Town boss Joe Royle was delighted with his sides peformance and the result: "I am delighted with three points. We were the better side but Millwall defended well. Their two centre-halves were resolute and they proved hard to break down.

Royle also has special praise for Spaniard Pablo Counago who came off the bench to inspire the blues to victory: "We needed a bit of inspiration and Pablo Counago came off the bench to provide that for us.

"It looks as though his season has started because he made one and scored the other. Pablo is available on a free transfer but if he plays like this he can be a potent force for us.

"I thought that if we got the ball to his feet he might cause problems for Millwall , but I hardly expected him to provide an old-fashioned flick-on for our first goal.

"I have probably ignored him at times when he thinks he should have played. If he plays like this then I cannot ignore him and I hope he picks up his game from here."

Of striker Darren Bent, who Charlton Athletic had a £3M turned down for before the transfer window closed, Royle said: "He cannot stop scoring and is having a great time.

"Recent Premiership interest has been a great boost to his confidence. He is electric at the moment and is learning the game at the same time and not just running about."