Neil Harris bemoans Millwall’s inability to finish Ipswich off

Posted Tuesday, April 03, 2018 by PA

Millwall boss Neil Harris admitted he was frustrated by his side’s inability to convert their chances after a 2-2 draw against Ipswich at Portman Road.

The Lions were denied a seventh consecutive away win in the Sky Bet Championship but they still extended their unbeaten league run to 14 games.

Jake Cooper opened the scoring for the visitors in the 27th minute before two goals from Martyn Waghorn in two minutes in the second half put Town ahead.

George Saville drilled Millwall level on the hour mark but, despite laying siege on the Ipswich goal late on, the Lions could not find a winner.

Harris said: “I’m quite frustrated, I’ve got to be honest. I think Ipswich made the game what it was, a counter-attacking game that was very open.

“Sometimes when the game’s like that and it’s going to be who scores the most, you’ve got to make sure you score more than the opposition.

“It’s hard to criticise my players because of the form we’re in but if I want to set standards as the manager of the football club then I could tell them – and I did tell them after the game – that wasn’t good enough.

“We should have won that game. Today we missed countless opportunities. We gave two poor goals away but we, as an attacking team, need to get the defence out of a hole.

“We should have scored seven in the last 10 minutes of the game and not to get one was criminal.

“I hope I look back at the end of the season and say that’s a point gained.”

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy, who will leave the club at the end of the season, said he was not enjoying managing the club in the final games of the campaign.

He said: “I’ve never been in a driverless car and I never, ever intend getting in one.

“But it must be what it feels like. The car’s yours and the responsibility still lies with you but you haven’t really got control over it and I’m not enjoying it, no.

“I’m just being honest about how I feel but I’m not enjoying it.

“I’m pleased that the fans have enjoyed it today, I think over my five and a half, nearly six years, they’ve enjoyed more games than they haven’t.”

McCarthy added: “I thought the first 20 minutes we started really well, had chances to score and when they do score, it kills it and the atmosphere goes dead, except for their fans, who I thought were brilliant and kept it going.

“Second half, what a great response from our lads and the fans as well. I enjoyed the second half.”