ALEX Neil admitted Millwall can play better after they relied on Lukas Jensen to save four consecutive penalties against Queens Park Rangers to progress to the Carabao Cup Second Round.
The Lions were not at their best at Loftus Road, especially in a lifeless first half. They improved after the interval, and Luke Cundle scored the opener after Pierce Charles dropped a cross into his lap.
The game opened up, and Millwall had several chances to double their lead on the counter, while the hosts also had plenty of chances via balls over the top.
The Hoops applied more and more pressure as the final whistle grew closer, and eventually snatched an equaliser from a corner when Jimmy Dunneâs header deflected off Mark Sykesâ leg and trickled past Jensen.
The game went straight to penalties, where Jensen, making his first start in fifteen months, proved to be the hero, saving all four QPR penalties, while Jake Cooper and Mark Sykes converted their spot-kicks.
âWe can play better,â Neil said. âIn possession and out of possession, we can be better in both facets of the game. They controlled probably a good part of the ball in the first half.
âIn the second half, it became a little bit looser for both teams. We had some moments; they had some moments. We managed to get the goal through an error.
âThen I thought they started to throw caution to the wind a little bit, made a few changes. We freshened it up as well because weâve got a few bodies missing at the moment, and we canât afford any more. And there are certain positions that we need to be careful of just now because we havenât got loads of cover. We just needed to start changing it up.
âMy biggest frustration is conceding from a set play. That was really disappointing because defending our box is our bread and butter. We do that really, really well.
âWhen the game goes to extra time, youâre relying on your penalty takers to go up and put the ball away with a bit of purpose. It was a strange day in that two defenders scored, and our two forward players missed, and then our goalie made four saves. So a nice way to top the game off, but quite bizarre.â
The Lions were not at their best at Loftus Road, especially in a lifeless first half. They improved after the interval, and Luke Cundle scored the opener after Pierce Charles dropped a cross into his lap.
The game opened up, and Millwall had several chances to double their lead on the counter, while the hosts also had plenty of chances via balls over the top.
The Hoops applied more and more pressure as the final whistle grew closer, and eventually snatched an equaliser from a corner when Jimmy Dunneâs header deflected off Mark Sykesâ leg and trickled past Jensen.
The game went straight to penalties, where Jensen, making his first start in fifteen months, proved to be the hero, saving all four QPR penalties, while Jake Cooper and Mark Sykes converted their spot-kicks.
âWe can play better,â Neil said. âIn possession and out of possession, we can be better in both facets of the game. They controlled probably a good part of the ball in the first half.
âIn the second half, it became a little bit looser for both teams. We had some moments; they had some moments. We managed to get the goal through an error.
âThen I thought they started to throw caution to the wind a little bit, made a few changes. We freshened it up as well because weâve got a few bodies missing at the moment, and we canât afford any more. And there are certain positions that we need to be careful of just now because we havenât got loads of cover. We just needed to start changing it up.
âMy biggest frustration is conceding from a set play. That was really disappointing because defending our box is our bread and butter. We do that really, really well.
âWhen the game goes to extra time, youâre relying on your penalty takers to go up and put the ball away with a bit of purpose. It was a strange day in that two defenders scored, and our two forward players missed, and then our goalie made four saves. So a nice way to top the game off, but quite bizarre.â
Related Coverage
- Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Millwall (Millwall win 2-0 on pens) - Lions into Carabao Cup second round â BBCCarabao Cup: Millwall keeper saves four penalties, Preston prevail in Goodison home game
- BBCCarabao Cup: Millwall keeper saves four penalties, Preston prevail in Goodison home game â The Guardian
- How The Lions line-up at Loftus Road â millwallfc.co.uk
- Official website of Queens Park Rangers for the latest news from Loftus Road â Queens Park Rangers FC
