Neil Harris outlines plans for his Millwall future | OneFootball

Millwall boss Neil Harris has outlined his plans for his 18-month spell in charge of the Championship club.

The bonafide club legend, who is the Lions' all-time leading goalscorer and has managed more than 250 games in the South Londoners' dugout, was brought back as a replacement for Joe Edwards in a bid to help them avoid relegation to League One.

They rolled the dice by opting for Edwards, a young coach without first team experience, to take charge after Gary Rowett's departure but the 37-year-old won just four of his 17 games, taking 17 points in total, which left them just a point above the relegation zone in 21st.

Harris' appointment brought an early upturn in form – with Millwall taking 10 points from his first four games – but a recent stumble, which included late defeats against relegation rivals Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town, had them sliding back down the table.

That made last night's 1-0 win over Championship leaders Leicester City all the more important as a defiant defensive display and Ryan Longman's brilliant strike earned the hosts a vital victory at The Den, which moves them four points and four places above the bottom three ahead of tonight's games.

Neil Harris wants to secure Millwall's Championship future and then rebuild the squad

Harris was given an 18-month contract when he was appointed in February but he's under no illusions that keeping Millwall up the top priority.

Speaking to the press after last night's victory, he outlined his plans for his year and a half in charge.

He said: "The thought process for me being invited back to the football club was to galvanise the football club between now and the end of the season. It was to try and bring the spirit, the camaraderie, the togetherness back from the terrace to the pitch and from the pitch to the terrace.

"We're moving in the right direction. Yes, it was difficult for the fans to travel and see us lose in the last minute of both games but what we're doing here at The Den is special.

"Then it's to try and help over the next three transfer windows. To try and help us be the best Millwall squad we can and identify the best Millwall players to come and play here.

"The start is to stay in the division and then we'll go from there.

"What I'm seeing from the group is a lot of positives but I'm learning about the group and I learn from the negatives as well. The last group has been very difficult for me as a leader to accept some of the performances but that's short-termism.

"I picked the same team tonight as I did at Huddersfield, which might've raised a few eyebrows, but I'm pleased to say I got it right by giving people another opportunity."

Club legend can be an ideal stopgap

If Harris can help Millwall avoid relegation, then the appointment has to be viewed as a success.

He's currently on course to do that and given the fact that few people understand the DNA of the football club better than him, he does seem an ideal stopgap to help them rebuild.

That said, the club need to ensure that the signings he makes over the next 18 months are aligned with their vision for the future. There is no use allowing Harris to sign players that don't suit the manager appointed after him.

Some eyebrows were raised outside South Bermondsey at his appointment, with a few suggesting it was a step backwards, but he can be the ideal stopgap for Millwall.