Millwall

Norwich welcome Millwall with a less than stellar record in the Championship of late.

The Canaries have lost three of their past four league games, drawing once during that period.

Milwall ended a winless run of their own in style on Saturday, sealing victory over Blackburn and ending Rovers' six-game winning streak.

• Norwich City are unbeaten in their last 20 home league matches against Millwall (W13 D7) since losing 3-0 back in 1968.

• Millwall are looking to win consecutive league games against Norwich for the first time since 2001 when they won at Carrow Road 4-0 during the second of two wins.

• Norwich City have lost their last five league games on Boxing Day, scoring just one goal in this run. Two of their last three wins on this day have come against Millwall, however – 2-0 in 2009 and 6-1 in 2014.

• Millwall are unbeaten in their last six Boxing Day matches (W4 D2) since losing 1-0 to Walsall in 2015.

• Josh Sargent has scored in each of his two home Championship appearances for Norwich against Millwall, scoring three goals in total.

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall's stand-in manager David Livermore speaking to BBC Radio London after the 1-0 win over Blackburn:

"Tough game against an opponent in form who are very good out of possession and made it very tough for us. I thought it was a scrappy game but territorially I think the ball was in their half more without us creating big chances.

"There is nothing better at The Den than scoring in the 90 plus whatever it was so fantastic result for us.

"At 0-0 I just wanted to be positive. They had two very experienced centre halves in Dom Hyam and Danny Batth, I felt the physical presence might help us win the game.

"This week we have kept it really consistent. Before the game we talked about being a team who always wants to try and score the next goal whether we are winning, losing or drawing.

On Millwall's search for a new head coach: "At the minute I will be taking the game on Thursday [against Norwich] but I'm taking it day by day and if that changes, no problem at all."

Former Coventry boss Mark Robins has turned down the opportunity to speak to fellow Championship club Millwall about their managerial vacancy. (South London Press), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Millwall begin life after Neil Harris at the helm with David Livermore leading the Lions as they welcome Blackburn to The Den on Saturday.

Rovers are seeking a seventh straight win and have kept clean sheets in their past five matches.

• Millwall have failed to win any of their past eight league games against Blackburn Rovers (D3 L5), with this fixture last season finishing in a 2-1 loss.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost just one of their 17 league games against Millwall (W10 D6).

• Millwall have lost each of their past three league games 1-0; the Lions haven't lost more matches in succession without scoring since August 2013 (four in a row).

• This season in the Championship, 15 different players have scored for Blackburn – the most of any side in the competition (excluding own goals).

• Across their Championship matches so far this season, Millwall have averaged just 39.4% possession – the lowest tally in the competition.

Image source, Rex Features

Saturday's defeat at Middlesbrough brought an end to the latest chapter in the long-running story of Neil Harris' Millwall career - but it would be no surprise to see the club's record goalscorer return to The Den in the future.

That's the view of BBC Radio London sport editor and commentator Phil Parry, who has followed Harris' career since he began reporting on Millwall in 2000, two years after the striker had joined the club as a 20-year-old.

Since arriving in 1998, Harris has devoted 17 years to the club as a player and a coach.

Despite leaving The Den a number of times, he has always found his way back home.

"Millwall got under Neil's skin. He went away as a player, he came back. He went away as a manager, he came back," Parry said.

"This is so long but I don't think it's goodbye. It wouldn't surprise anyone if Millwall find themselves in a difficult situation in the future and (if) Neil was available they would turn to him to come and do something – it's his football club."

Image source, PA Media

Neil Harris says he has no immediate plans after ending his reign at Millwall other than enjoying a family Christmas - and watching Southend United.

The Lions legend ended his second spell as manager with a defeat at Middlesbrough after announcing on Tuesday that he was leaving.

That led to speculation about what comes next for Harris, but he told BBC Radio London: "I'll have Christmas with the family and it's an opportunity to get out and see some friends in football and seeing training and matches at different levels.

"I'll be watching my local team Southend so just look forward to that period and then the future – who knows?"

Harris said he felt he was leaving the club in a better position then when he took over in February when they were in the bottom three.

"We've had a successful 10 months and I feel we leave the club in really good hands and safe position, so I'm disappointed today but still extremely proud," he added.

"It's been difficult for the lads because they're losing their leader and it's difficult for them to understand why, and where they're going next. We've tried to bridge that gap with humility, honesty and love as I care about the players, they're really good lads."

Image source, PRESSBOX GRAPHICS

With Middlesbrough having won four of their past seven games and scored 20 goals in that period, this is a daunting task for Millwall.

Neil Harris will bid farewell as Millwall boss after the match hoping to have avoided a third successive defeat.

• Middlesbrough have won two of their past three league games against Millwall (L1), as many as across their prior nine matches combined against them (D5 L2).

• Millwall have won just one of their past eight away league games against Middlesbrough (D3 L4), though it did come in their most recent trip on the opening day of last season (1-0); they could win successive such games for the first time since April 2014.

• Middlesbrough have alternated between victory (4) and defeat (3) in their past seven home league games, winning 3-1 over Hull City in their most recent such game.

• Five of Millwall's past seven away league games have been drawn (W1 L1), last drawing three in a row on the road in the league in April 2022.

• Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz has been involved in five goals in his past four home league appearances (three goals, two assists), one more involvement than in his first 15 such games for the club (four assists).

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been named the EFL's Championship manager of the month for November.

The Blades were unbeaten last month, taking 16 points from their six matches and climbing to the top of the table.

It is the second time this season Wilder has won the award having also been named the division's top manager in September.

"This award is recognition for a lot of hard work from the players and the staff in the opening months of the season," Wilder told the EFL website., external

"The rebuild of the squad has been talked about numerous times, what needs to be taken into consideration is that this is a new group, providing a new dynamic, which includes the lads who were here last season. There's still a lot of work to do but the signs are good."

Sheffield United have taken four points from their opening two games of December and host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, Burnley's Scott Parker and outgoing Millwall head coach were also nominated for the award.

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall's Neil Harris is among four bosses nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month award for November, even though he will leave the club after Saturday's match at Middlesbrough.

Harris led the Lions on a five-match unbeaten run last month from which they took nine points and conceded only three goals.

Chris Wilder's Sheffield United collected 16 points from six unbeaten games in November during which time they went top of the Championship and beat rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City derby.

Although they lost two of their six league games last month, Middlesbrough went goal crazy under Michael Carrick as they recorded four wins by scorelines of 4-1, 5-1, 6-2 and 3-1.

Scott Parker watched his Burnley side pick up four wins and suffer just one defeat from their six games in November.

The Clarets also only conceded one goal.

The winner of the Championship's Manager of the Month award will be announced on Friday morning.

Here are some more of your thoughts on who should replace Neil Harris:

Phillip: Chris Davies of Birmingham City, he is doing a great job.

Lee: José said why not Millwall? C'mon, you're probably sick of the sun and amazing food at Fenerbahce by now. Think of that short walk to work my son.

Richard: Sad Harris has gone. We need to get a safe pair of hands so I'd personally get Mark Robins. Although Alex Neil could also be a good shout after his work with Norwich and Preston.

Dai: I'd love to see Mark Robins in there straight away. I reckon he would be a great fit for us. Did brilliant with Coventry

We asked for your thoughts on who should replace Neil Harris.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: Mark Robins ideally, Steve Cooper possibly, but definitely not Rowett.

Paul: Gary O'Neil would be my choice, done a good job at Bournemouth, I believe he is a Millwall fan too!

Harry: I think Harris has been great at Millwall for both times he's been managing us, but it's time for a change and I would say that we should bring in Steve Cooper.

John: Got to go after Robins, surely?

Image source, Rex Features

Analysis - Aaron Paul, EFL presenter for BBC Radio 5 Live and the 72+ podcast

When Neil Harris returned to take control of Millwall in February, the remit from owner James Berylson was simple - save us.

The Lions were 21st after the tumultuous reign of Joe Edwards was ended and Harris came in trying to reignite the old Millwall - pragmatic, strong and disciplined - in a fight for Championship survival.

The impact of the man they call 'Chopper' was instant. A 2-1 win at would-be promoted Southampton showed that Millwall spirit, and fans were given a glimpse of the past and what was to come.

The Lions built on that performance, picking up 26 points to finish well clear of danger in 13th, but a big summer was required.

Japhet Tanganga's loan spell was made permanent and new attacking options were brought in, in the form of Macaulay Langstaff and Milhailo Ivanovic.

But the start of this season proved tough and the Lions found themselves 18th, with one win in their six opening league games.

Victory against Plymouth was the catalyst for an upturn in form, and Harris was able to summon the power of The Den with wins against promotion-chasing Burnley and Leeds.

But comments made after Saturday's defeat by Coventry weren't received well by parts of the fanbase.

There is also a feeling that a breakdown in communication with sections of the club's hierarchy could have led to an earlier departure than was expected despite Millwall being in a good place in an unpredictable division.

Chairman Berylson and director of football Steve Gallen now have the unenviable task of finding someone capable of building on Harris' foundation.

Edwards' appointment didn't live up to the club's hopes, and the warning signs in the shape of Birmingham City last season will no doubt reiterate the fact that now is not the time for experimentation.

Mark Robins is the early name being touted as Harris' replacement. His longevity at Coventry, style of play and what he could do on a relatively small budget will be a very appealing proposition.