NEIL HARRIS has warned his players against complacency as he looks to keep up his remarkable unbeaten start back at The Den.
Three wins in four for the returning head coach has eased relegation fears and allowed Millwall to head into the final weeks of the season with confidence.
Lions legend Harris knows that Sunday’s trip to Leeds United poses a huge challenge to his side, who have recovered impressively from the eight-game winless run that saw the club part way with Joe Edwards.
And the Millwall boss is keen for his players to keep their feet on the ground and remain focused despite their early triumphs under his management.
Harris told NewsAtDen: “It’s a fantastic points return. It just goes to show that we’ve been organised, resilient, there’s been moments of quality but we also have real character, spirit and camaraderie in the group.
“The message to my players is very clear: Well done, you’ve done brilliant. But there’s still loads more to come. And we have to have that mindset going to Leeds, West Brom, Rotherham and Huddersfield.”
Harris has been clear since returning that he believes players need a certain mindset and mentality to be successful at Millwall and he stressed the importance of him leading by example.
The 46-year-old said: “It’s my job to lead the troops. When I walked in I thought the team needed leadership, and that’s certainly no disrespect to anyone that’s in the building now or has been in before me. I thought it needed Millwall leadership, I know what the football club’s philosophy is, what the principles are, what the belief of the fanbase is and what’s needed.
“The players need to hear me, see me and learn from me. And that’s just not on the pitch trying to get my demands across, that’s off the pitch as well. I’ve talked about them trying to be a good Millwall team but some of them haven’t been here very long. They need to know what a good Millwall player is and what’s demanded from the fanbase when it’s 0-0 at home and it’s a bit scrappy. It’s not always a goal at one end, it’s making sure you don’t concede at the other end and you win your tackles and headers.
“I like what it’s in my changing room personality-wise and I want to give the lads a platform to be themselves.”
Harris is looking forward to returning to the “football theatre” of Elland Road on Sunday and trying to pull off another shock result following the victory at Southampton last month.
“When West Ham and Palace and Charlton aren’t in the league, then yeah Leeds is the next one [that I look forward to],” he said. “I’m fortunate to have played in, scored and managed in quite a lot of these games and have a tremendous record against Leeds. I enjoy it and want my players to enjoy it.
“Let’s get it right. Leeds are a very good side and they’re as good a Championship side as I’ve seen this season, definitely as good as Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich. Leeds look as good as they have had for a long time so we know the challenge that awaits.
“Elland Road is a brilliant football theatre. It’s one of the few places that rivals The Den for atmosphere in my opinion across the English pyramid system. There’s great football theatres at Anfield and St James’ Park but outside those grounds that hold 50,000, The Den is an awesome place that people fear and you have Elland Road, which brings out the best in people. It’s always brought out the best in me. I look forward to seeing my team at the weekend.”