By Paul Green
NEIL HARRIS says it is way too early to think about player contract extensions yet because the only priority right now is Championship survival.
The manager enjoyed a winning return to the dugout against Southampton last weekend, Millwall’s first victory since January 1.
That welcome success was certainly much-needed, but results elsewhere mean the Lions remain only one point above the dreaded drop zone.
And until safety is guaranteed, Harris’ sole focus is making sure Millwall stay out of the bottom three rather than thinking about what happens with the handful of current first team players whose deals expire in the summer.
He told our paper: “When I was asked to come back to the football club, I said that I know we are approaching March and it becomes prevalent in people’s minds with the club, fans, and also the players, that they’re all thinking about the future.
“At the moment, we’ve got two aims. First it is Saturday against Watford at home.
“Last week it was Southampton, this week it is Watford and then after that it will be Blackburn, so it is just one game at a time.
“Then the mid-term aim for me is the next window. I say mid-term but we are talking about in two months time, which sounds crazy in itself but that is football.”
He added: “I just need time to assess, to work with players and understand all the personalities.
“I’m even talking about the likes of George Saville, Shaun Hutchinson, Jake Cooper, Murray Wallace, Billy Mitchell and Danny McNamara – people I’ve known a long time.
“I still need to judge their character as the person they are today, not the person I left five years ago. I need time with the group.
“All I’ve said to the football club is that with the staff, the players, the football club and how it is run, yes I do know it very well and what it looks like, but please be patient.
“At the moment, the most important thing with our football club is to get points on the board.”
Harris is guaranteed an emotional reception in SE16 this weekend against Watford, where he is desperate to transform the club’s poor form which has seen them win just four league games this season.
He said: “There is no fix overnight whereby just because Neil Harris walks back in the building, that a Millwall team wins at The Den.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have an exceptional home record as a player and manager and now I have to guide these players.
“What Saturday gave us at Southampton was a real shot of belief, a great confidence boost.
“We know 15,000 Millwall fans are going to turn up against Watford feeling excited rather than fearful and get behind the players.”
The boss added: “All the fans want to see is their team have a right go in their own way.
“It doesn’t mean you’ve got to have 80 percent possession, or go and punch somebody, it means you’ve got to do it the Millwall way.
“That’s being a team, being the best individual you can be, being disciplined, resolute and aggressive at the right moments and asking questions of the opponent.”