Gary Rowett bemoaned Millwall's inability to handle the pressure of their play-off pursuit after they lost to Blackburn 4-3 in the Sky Bet Championship despite holding a two-goal lead and maintaining their top-six position.
The Lions entered the penultimate day of play at The Den knowing that a victory would keep their hopes of joining the Premier League alive, and they quickly built a 3-1 halftime lead thanks to a brace from Duncan Watmore and an additional goal from Oliver Burke.
However, Blackburn shifted the tide with Joe Rankin-Costello's close-range goal, and Ben Brereton Diaz's brace completed a spectacular comeback. Sunderland, who defeated Preston 3-0, earned the final play-off spot at the cost of both teams.
You could feel the team's anxieties start to show after Blackburn's second goal, and space started to open up all everywhere, according to Rowett.
"We put ourselves in a fantastic situation, but you have to handle these huge events, you have to act appropriately and display composure and calmness. That was something we had to improve on.We didn't, and we have to figure out why. Sometimes games provide various obstacles, and you either deal with them or you don't.We had to be tough. We hadn't given up four goals in a single game all season until now, which demonstrates what pressure can do.
You could feel the team's anxieties start to show after Blackburn's second goal, and space started to open up all everywhere, according to Rowett.
"We put ourselves in a fantastic situation, but you have to handle these huge events, you have to act appropriately and display composure and calmness. That was something we had to improve on.We didn't, and we have to figure out why. Sometimes games provide various obstacles, and you either deal with them or you don't.We had to be tough. We hadn't given up four goals in a single game all season until now, which demonstrates what pressure can do.
The Danish manager of Blackburn, who have the fewest goals of any team in the top 10, said: "It is extremely disappointing to miss out on goal difference, but we all know why we are not in the play-offs.""We were a little anxious at first, but when Adam (Wharton) equalized, we were in control before giving away two silly goals — to score four today is part of life.The second half was really good.
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: "It is extremely disappointing to miss out on goal difference, but we all know why we are not in the play-offs.""We were a little anxious at first, but when Adam (Wharton) equalized, we were in control before giving away two silly goals — to score four today is part of life.The second half was really good.
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