Aaron McLean’s EFL takeaways: Millwall can’t be ignored

Millwall may live by the mantra that no-one likes them, but nobody can ignore them either, least of all second-placed Middlesbrough who hold a slender advantage of one point over the Lions.

Aiming for only a third ever top-flight season following two between 1988 and 1990, 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 that they’re winning games. It’s not like they’re getting lucky. They’re going and they’re dominating teams.

“I look at the way they dismantled Charlton in a local derby. It epitomised everything that they’re doing. Physically they’re a match for absolutely anyone in the division and they’ve got quality players.

“They don’t play long ball 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 squad that isn’t reliant on one or two superstars. They work, they work brilliantly as a unit, and they all know their job.

“They are right on the tails of Middlesbrough. One more slip-up from Boro, and Millwall could grab that second spot. If it is to be the play-offs for them, nobody will want to play them.”