Aaron McLean’s Premier League takeaways: Millwall can’t be ignored

Millwall may live by the mantra that no one likes them, but no one can ignore them either, least of all second-placed Middlesbrough who hold a slim one-point advantage over the Lions.

The team are aiming for only a third ever season in the Premier League after two seasons between 1988 and 1990, and they are right in the automatic promotion picture.

McLean: “When I look at Millwall, I look at the level of performance and the games, like the way they win games. It’s not like they’re lucky. They’re progressing and dominating teams.

“Look at the way they beat Charlton in a local derby. That summed up everything they do. Physically, they are a match for absolutely anyone in the division and they have good players.

“They don’t play long balls but they mix it up, and on their day they’re as good as anyone in the division.

“Their goals come from everywhere in the team and Alex Neil has built a team that doesn’t rely on one or two stars. They work, they work brilliantly as a unit, they all know their job.

“They’re close behind Middlesbrough. Another slip up from Boro and Millwall could snatch second place. If this were the play-offs for them, no one would want to play with them.”