Leeds equaliser ‘a kick in the nuts’ that sums up Millwall’s season, says Jed Wallace
After going in front in all four home games, Millwall have only managed to hold on to their lead once
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Your support makes all the difference.A last-minute equaliser from league leaders Leeds United was “a kick in the nuts”, which sums up Millwall’s campaign so far, says Jed Wallace.
Late goals have underpinned an unlucky start at the Den for the south London side this season. After going in front in all four home games, they’ve only managed to hold on to their lead once.
Saturday was no different, with Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison robbing them of a win in the final moments, cancelling out Wallace’s earlier goal.
Speaking after the game, the attacking midfielder explained the team’s frustration – grabbing just their first point in four games – but hopes that if they continue putting in the work, their results should see an upturn soon.
“It sums our season up so far really,” said Wallace, “we’ve given it everything we can, and again we didn’t win the game, but to get clapped off shows the togetherness of the group, of the manager, of the fan base.
“It’s just a real kick in the nuts really, to be honest. We’re doing all the right things. I don’t know how we haven’t got the winner at the end really. It just shows the character that’s in the group, we conceded in the 90th minute and we still looked to get that goal.”
“The funny thing in football is, today feels like the biggest game of the season,” he added, “but it’s just three points. The manager broke it down to us, he’s the one that keeps us calm really, because we are a passionate group.”
Lions boss Neil Harris has been on hand both in the dressing room and in the transfer market over the last few weeks, having to deal with signings and speculation that Wallace said the players found “difficult” to deal with at times, as that included himself being linked with a move away.
After letting go of George Saville to promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough, Harris moved quickly to bring in Tom Bradshaw and record-signing Ryan Leonard, the latter making his debut against Leeds.
Leonard’s long throw-ins were a big threat going forward, landing Millwall the opening goal in the second half. As the ball was flicked on, an unmarked Wallace pounced to grab his first of the season.
“To be fair, we didn’t even know [about Leonard’s throw-ins] until Thursday – we didn’t even realise,” joked the 24-year-old, “I said to him now I know why he’s been signed! As far as debut’s go, considering the guy’s not played any football, playing for Millwall against Leeds, it’s not an easy one to come into. I thought he had a really good debut, and he’s going to be a player that the fans are going to like watching.”
In spite of the Leeds let-down, Wallace believes the international break prior to the game was important for the team, as it came at the right time. After suffering defeat at home to Swansea in their last game – the visitors coming from behind with 10 men – the squad had some space to bond and plan a return to being the side that almost disturbed the top six in May.
“It’s been an up and down start to the season for the whole group really, myself included,” he said. “We just needed to get back to basics really, get two weeks on the training ground, get working hard on the training ground. The manager’s pulled the group together, we went paintballing, and today we looked like the Millwall team that the fans love to watch.”
“I think people are so used to seeing us here win games that when we don’t win a game it’s like, woah, I think it’s a reality check for everyone,” he added. “We had an amazing season last year. We want to be in the top half of the table. Are we going to win the league when people are spending £20m on players? Probably not. Are we going to fight for every ball, run our hearts out, are we going to stick together as a group? Definitely. And we’ll see where it gets. I believe we’re a good team, we’ve shown that for three years, and we’ll show that again this year.”
Next up is a trip across the capital to face Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night. After losing their first four games, QPR have now improved slightly, sitting a place above Millwall in 18th.
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