Date: 4th August 2017 at 10:49pm
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Manager Neil Harris has hailed a strong performance from Millwall in last night’s Championship opener against Nottingham Forest but spoken of his disgust at the disallowed goal on the evening.

Heading to the City Ground for the 2017/18 opener, McKay opened the scoring in the first half in the 41st minute, but Steve Morison did have the ball in the back of the net in the second period and Harris was outraged when the referee ruled it out.

Our first game back in the Championship after Play Off promotion from League One last season saw us lose one nil but having created far more opportunities than the hosts on the day – 21 to 11 with 5 to 2 on target – Harris felt we were incredibly unlucky not to come away with at least a point to show for our efforts.

Speaking to the official site as he met with the media for his post game press conference, Harris explained that he had to be proud of the side for their efforts.

Morison’s goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Jordan Smith by Lee Gregory.

‘The referee has said its a foul on the goalkeeper. I’ve watched it back and there’s momentum both ways – if anything, the ‘keeper runs into Lee. If he gives a foul for that, he has to give a foul every time – and he didn’t. All we ask for is consistency as managers. Both benches, analysts, Sky Sports etc have said its a goal. Not everyone can be wrong.’

Harris went on to say.

‘I’ve spoken to the referee and told him that I’ll review it. If he’s right, fair enough, but if he’s wrong, I’ll tell him, no problem. It’s disappointing because we’ve dominated a game of football against a really good Nottingham Forest side for nigh on the whole game. We’ve been beaten by a really good goal, but we should’ve won the game.’

Despite the loss, Harris was proud of the efforts of the players on the evening and he simply wants more of the same as the season progresses now as he knows if Millwall perform like that, more often than not we’ll take the win.

We do have to be more clinical though.

‘My players executed the gameplan perfectly. It was a really strong performance. We didn’t sit off and let them play, we pressed at the right times. We just didn’t move the ball forward quickly enough at times. We’ve worked into good positions and created good chances. I’ve said to the boys in the dressing room, what a top performance collectively and individually. However, being honest, I’m disappointed because we didn’t get a result.’

Adding.

‘At this level – and certainly the next one up – if you don’t take your chances, you lose the game. It’s a good performance, but we’ve got nothing to show for it other than a pat on the back. We have to be more ruthless.’

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