Millwall: Manager Alex Neil urges Lions defence to continue fine form

Millwall manager Alex Neil says his side must continue to keep the back door locked if they are to remain realistic promotion contenders.

The Lions boss was full of praise for his team’s defensive efforts after they became the first side to stop Wrexham scoring at home this season in Saturday’s 2-0 win.

And Neil has challenged his fifth-placed side to keep things tight from now until May if they are to stay in the hunt.

“Obviously goals are vitally important for teams that do get promoted but [you have to] also make sure that you don’t lose the game. We are solid,” Neil told BBC Radio London.

“Our lads put their bodies on the line, they head the ball and are aggressive which is no less than I would expect.

“Defending our box I think we take a real pride in that, trying to get clean sheets. It was really important that we came [to Wrexham] and didn’t lose and we were always going to get chances to win it.”

Millwall, who have 12 clean sheets from 31 games this season, have conceded just one goal in their last three outings

The south London side will look to build on that form with back-to-back wins for the first time since early November at relegation certainties Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.

But Neil says they will be taking nothing for granted against the Owls despite their perilous league position.

“I don’t like [games like Sheffield Wednesday] in that it brings a bit of casualness at times. Hopefully not internally but I don’t want it external either,” said the Lions boss.

“We need to go there and attack this game and try and win it. I don’t want us thinking we will walk up and score three by half time – that’s not how football works.”