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Chopper hands Jackett a dilemma
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| Neil Harris keeps his nerve to double Millwall's lead from the spot. |
A STUNNING display from Lions striker Neil Harris helped Millwall to a crucial victory over high-flying Carlisle at The Den on Saturday, a result which ensures the club will be playing League One football next season.
The 30-year-old fans' favourite, who tops Millwall's all-time league goals record, had a hand in all three of the Lions' goals in what turned out to be a comfortable victory against a Carlisle side vying for automatic promotion.
However, despite a commanding display from the forward, manager Kenny Jackett would not be drawn on Harris' future at the club after stating he did not feature in his long-term future plans in February.
He said: "I thought Neil Harris played very well today and showed good leadership out there, which was so important.
"Talk regarding Neil isn't for now, though. He had a great game and put in a good performance, but we will see what happens."
The Lions boss was also pleased with the all-round performance of the team and is looking forward to the summer when he can make plans for an assault on the automatic promotion places.
He said: "We played very well, but I felt a win like that had been coming.
"We've played well in other games and not scored, but we got the goals at the right time today.
"Now we can plan for next season and our aim is promotion.
"That's easy to say, but doing it is a different thing. It's a task I'm looking forward to."
Carlisle, despite losing their previous two games, arrived at The Den knowing victory over Millwall would give them a great chance of automatic promotion.
However, the visitors started poorly and never got going.
Millwall's Jem Karacan fired in a stinging drive on five minutes which was spilled by Carlisle stopper Kieran Westwood.
Westwood managed to smother the ball at the feet of Bas Savage, but his goal was again threatened five minutes later when Peter Murphy nearly fired into his own net trying to deal with a Jay Simpson cross.
Carlisle's defence had a busy first half and Westwood was forced into several fine saves, the pick of which came on 32 minutes when Harris cut inside from the left flank and hit a fine curling effort which was tipped round the post at full stretch.
The Carlisle forwards offered very little going forward and could only produce several speculative efforts in the first half, none of which troubled Lions keeper Rhys Evans.
Tony Craig and Andy Frampton both had efforts cleared off the line at the other end before the deadlock was finally broken two minutes before the break.
Danny Senda drilled a pass into Harris, who laid it off for Arsenal loanee Simpson to thunder a drive into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
The Lions continued the momentum into the second period with Simpson firing wide before Harris, picking up possession on the halfway line, dribbled through the Carlisle defence before being brought down in the area by Danny Livesey.
Livesey received a straight red card and Harris stepped up to fire the resultant penalty past the Carlisle keeper and send the home supporters into raptures.
The scoring was complete on 64 minutes when Harris nodded a deep corner back across goal for Craig to head in to seal Millwall's League One status.
Millwall: Evans, Senda, Robinson, Craig, Frampton (Bignot 50), Simpson, Laird, Karacan, Brkovic, Savage, Harris. Subs not used: Edwards, Martin, Fuseini, Smith. Att: 10,075
Do you think Neil Harris should be playing for Millwall next season? Have your say below on our message board.
10:22am Monday 28th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Gary, Lewisham on 10:46am Mon 28 Apr 08
Come on Kenny sort it out and give Neil a new contract.
Come on Kenny sort it out and give Neil a new contract.
Posted by: Peter, Cyprus on 2:04pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Experience is vital..and he loves the club and wants to play...so is that so wrong
Experience is vital..and he loves the club and wants to play...so is that so wrong
Posted by: Peter, Bexley on 5:18pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Must have at least 12months contract. Forgotten more about the game than most of the others will ever know
Must have at least 12months contract. Forgotten more about the game than most of the others will ever know
Posted by: Mabel, Peckham on 6:08pm Mon 28 Apr 08
I have started to think 'if your face fits' @ Millwall...Neil Harris has got to be amongst the best senior player @ the Den. Perhaps Neil should be asked what he wants I am sure it will be to stay at Millwall
I have started to think 'if your face fits' @ Millwall...Neil Harris has got to be amongst the best senior player @ the Den. Perhaps Neil should be asked what he wants I am sure it will be to stay at Millwall
Posted by: Richard, Swindon on 11:34am Tue 29 Apr 08
Neil should be given a contract he is totally committed to this club
Neil should be given a contract he is totally committed to this club
Posted by: ken martin, london on 11:14pm Tue 29 Apr 08
100% millwall 100% committed he has to stay
100% millwall 100% committed he has to stay
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