Millwall's top six hopes: Alex Neil issues 'tough' verdict, predicted table, key injury update

Millwall are in with a chance of reaching the playoffs as the end of the season comes into sight. Just three points now separate the Lions from the top six after a statement away win over Middlesbrough.

Blackburn Rovers are next up, and the Lancashire side have realistically fallen out of the playoff race over recent weeks, with John Eustace’s departure crippling their campaign. Blackburn are now seven points off the playoffs and likely out of time as far as a playoff push is concerned.

Millwall have maintained consistency over recent weeks, but they too know it’s going to take a mighty effort to sneak into the top six, likely needing to win three of their last four to stand any chance over overcoming the gap, which they have already sawn in half over the last week or so.

Neil optimistic about Millwall’s play-off hopes

Millwall boss Alex Neil has been speaking about the Lions’ chances of getting into the top six. "I've done the play-offs three times and managed to be successful each time, which doesn't mean anything going into it," Neil told BBC Radio London. "But what it does mean is I've got vast experience in terms of getting into them. I've got a lot of experience in going into these run-ins as well.

"We've still got a lot of work to do, we're still chasing teams above us - there are still two teams we need to chase, which is tough. Really, it's down to them [West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough]. We've got four games against really tough opponents but what this week has done is given us an opportunity that otherwise we wouldn't have had. From that perspective, I'm extremely proud of the players in terms of what they've put in."

Play-off prediction

Millwall know they are outsiders as far as the play-off race is concerned, the latest OPTA Championship table suggests the same. After the weekend’s results, the Lions are predicted to finish in ninth place, and with 65 points, which is only five points more than they have now.

That would be four points off Coventry City’s predicted total of 69, with the Sky Blues only expected to pick up six more points in their last four games. It’s usually said that 70 points gets you in the play-offs, and that remains true, but the latest prediction suggests it will be a few points less, with West Brom in seventh only expected to get 66 points, with Middlesbrough on the same total in eighth. That means those two sides will only get two more wins each.

The good news for Millwall is that the prediction suggests three wins from their last four will be enough, albeit it would be touch and go on the goal difference front, with Millwall currently having a better goal difference than Coventry by one goal.

Tanganga latest

One key player to Millwall’s play-off hopes is centre-back Japhet Tanganga, who broke his wrist recently. Neil told Southwark News of the defender’s possible return: “It’ll be based around Japhet and his surgery, in terms of we’re going get a splint round his wrist. So I think we’re going to try and get one fitted for him. It depends if the surgeon thinks he can play, it’ll depend on how safe and comfortable it is for him to play. I’m not sure about Blackburn, but depending on how that meeting goes, he may be in contention for Norwich.”

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