Ally McCoist makes claim about Millwall's atmosphere after watching Newcastle clash | OneFootball

Pundit Ally McCoist was in attendance for Millwall's Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United, and he was impressed by what he saw at The Den.

Pundit Ally McCoist has praised Millwall's performance in their Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday night, as well as the atmosphere at The Den.

After losing to Hull City in the play-off semi-finals last season, it has been a turbulent start to the new campaign for Millwall in the Championship, but Alex Neil's men had a break from league action as they hosted Premier League side Newcastle.

Millwall exit the Carabao Cup after late Newcastle United heartbreak

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Millwall began their season with back-to-back wins over Bristol City and Norwich City in the Championship, scoring five goals and conceding none in the process.

However, the Lions were hammered 5-1 by Southampton at St Mary's in their third game of the campaign before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Wrexham at The Den as their previously solid defensive foundation collapsed.

Millwall returned to winning ways with a 4-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, with goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli and a brace from Lyndon Dykes sealing an emphatic victory over the 10-man Trotters to help restore confidence ahead of their high-profile Carabao Cup tie.

After overcoming Queens Park Rangers and Cambridge United in the earlier rounds of the competition, the Lions hosted Newcastle on Tuesday night, with the Premier League side arriving in southeast London after an unbeaten start to life under new head coach Matthias Jaissle.

Millwall produced a spirited performance against their top flight opponents, and they almost took the lead when Tairyk Arconte hit the post in the second half, but shortly after, Joe Willock scored an 81st-minute winner to send the Magpies through to the fourth round.

Ally McCoist delivers glowing Millwall verdict after Newcastle United clash

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McCoist was in attendance for the game at The Den and was clearly impressed by what he saw from Millwall, praising both the Lions' performance and the atmosphere despite their Carabao Cup elimination.

"I loved it," McCoist said on talkSPORT.

"It was brilliant.

"I'll tell you, it was a great atmosphere last night.

"Millwall did well, you know.

"Newcastle had a very strong side out, a full team.

"Millwall played well and could have nicked it just before Newcastle scored.

"Livramento made a mistake, it was just a punt up the park and he let the boy get in front of him, and he was unlucky.

"Millwall had a few injured, but the substitutes did really when they came on.

"They were playing a 4-4-2, and it was good.

"They played Zak Lovelace and big Lyndon Dykes up front, who did really well.

"The boys Yanis Issoufou and Tairyk Arconte came on and looked lively."

Millwall must take confidence from Newcastle United tie ahead of big Championship week

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While Millwall will be disappointed to have exited the Carabao Cup and miss out on another glamorous tie in the next round, they will now be able to focus purely on the league as they look to mount another promotion bid.

Newcastle arrived at The Den in fine form after a strong start to Jaissle's tenure, but the injury-hit Lions competed well against the Premier League side, and had Arconte managed to find the back of the net, it could have been a very different outcome.

However, Millwall must take the positives from the clash with the Magpies as they prepare for a crucial week in the Championship, which sees them face trips to Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough before the hotly anticipated meeting with West Ham United.