NEIL Harris had an instruction for his players before they departed for their summer break – come back “lean, fit and hungry” ahead of their attempt to build on their eighth-place Championship finish.
The Millwall staff and squad will have a longer rest period for the first time in three years after two play-off campaigns in 2016 and 2017.
Harris will attend a number of play-off fixtures in the next two weeks as he plans for next season.
His players report back for the first day of pre-season on Monday, June 25. They will know the start date of the 2018-19 season by then, with fixtures to be released on June 21.
After they finished their 2017-18 season with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, Harris paid tribute to his squad after a campaign that saw them defy the odds and almost secure a play-off place.
“I told the players I was very proud of them and they should look at themselves and be proud of what they have achieved. Not just individually in performances, i.e., Shaun Hutchinson won player of the year and it’s a privilege to have that at this football club, but also proud of what they’ve brought to the dressing room.
“Steve Morison would love to have doubled his goal tally but there’s what he brings as a captain and leader. You could go through the whole squad, they have delivered. They should be proud of themselves.
“I told them they should enjoy their summer and that they come back fit, lean and hungry to be better next year.”
Image: Millwall FC