NEIL Harris has revealed how pleased he was for Zian Flemming after the Dutchman netted a crucial winner against Watford.
The 25-year-old scored a deflected free-kick from about 30 yards out after three minutes at The Den which ultimately proved enough for the three points in a hard-fought but low quality game.
Flemming, who scored the winner at Southampton last week as well, has now netted in back-to-back games for the first time since April 2023.
Having enjoyed an outstanding debut season at The Den in the last campaign, the midfielder has been open about his frustration with his own performances this season.
But Flemming appears to be enjoying a new lease of life in 2024 and has enjoyed a strong run of form despite major changes off the field for the Lions in recent weeks with Joe Edwards being replaced by Harris.
Harris expressed his happiness with Flemming and revealed he has spoken to him about confidence and self-belief.
The Lions boss said after the Watford win: “All I said in the build-up to the game was how this was going to be an emotional day for me and my family coming back for a fourth time back at the club.
“I wanted the supporters to enjoy watching their team and support their team. Forget me on the side, it’s about the players. I thought we started brilliantly, as a Millwall team has to at The Den. I’m so pleased for Zian Flemming. I’m talking to him all the time about confidence and belief and reminding him what a good player he is. And would he have had the belief to hit that from 30 yards a month ago? I don’t know.
“But you need a bit of luck sometimes and he had that in that moment but it’s because he had the confidence and belief to do it.”
Watford huffed and puffed throughout the 90 minutes but never really looked like scoring. Despite their bluntness in attack, Harris revealed he was more concerned with them finding an equaliser than Southampton last week.
He added: “I thought when Watford had spells in the game, we stood strong, didn’t panic. I thought defensively we were outstanding with one v one duels and ultimately if you look at the chances of the game, we had the better chances.
“I think I was probably more comfortable at Southampton last week, funnily enough. Because I thought they were quite predictable last week, Southampton. Today I think probably just because of the home pressure… me personally and the players are so desperate to thrive in a home win and to build the confidence.
“I was so desperate for that so I think probably that’s where the pressure was a little bit. But if you look at Matty Sarkic and how many saves did he have to make? I think it was three on target but all from outside the penalty area so we controlled where the ball was around the penalty area and that’s credit to our players.”