Jamie O’Hara reveals what might cost Millwall promotion this season - "they always seem to mess" this up | OneFootball

Millwall are in contention for promotion to the Premier League so far this season

Jamie O’Hara has warned Millwall that they may need to spend money to bring in extra quality players in order to reach the Championship play-offs this season.

The Lions are third in the table after the first 18 games, and are just two points outside of the automatic promotion places.

Alex Neil’s side have enjoyed a strong run of form in the first half of the campaign, as they seek to improve on their eighth place finish in the previous term.

The London outfit have finished either eighth or ninth in five of the last eight seasons since returning to the Championship in 2017.

Millwall’s haven’t earned a play-off place at this level since 2002, but have come inside the top half of the table 10 times in the years since.

Jamie O’Hara makes Millwall play-off claim

O’Hara has claimed that Millwall will need to add some more quality to their side in order to maintain their place in the Championship table, suggesting their previous lack of strong activity in January has cost them.

He also believes Birmingham City and Ipswich Town will be in the mix for a top six finish, but that he’d like to see the Lions earn their place in the play-offs, and potentially even a trip to Wembley Stadium.

“I’d love to see Millwall sneak in there,” said O’Hara, via Sky Sports.

“The problem with Millwall is, can they go and spend and bring in some quality players in January? They always seem to mess it up.

“A lot of my family are Millwall fans and they just mess it up towards the end of the season.

“I’d love to see them do it.

“Hopefully they get a play-off spot and the fans can get behind them and get a trip to Wembley and you never know.

“I still look outside the play-offs.

“Maybe Birmingham City, maybe Ipswich Town.

“I’m looking at the form, I think they’ve been in alright form.

“They don’t lose that many games.

“If you look at them as a club and with Kieran McKenna, they will be there or thereabouts.”

Millwall have won nine of their opening 18 fixtures, including consecutive victories over Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday in their last two games.

Neil’s side missed out on a play-off place by just two points in the previous campaign, having earned 66 points from 46 matches.

The Lions made eight permanent signings in the summer, including the likes of Caleb Taylor and Massimo Luongo, as well as the permanent arrival of Josh Coburn, following their narrow miss, as well as three loan additions.

Next up for Millwall is a trip to last season’s sixth place side Bristol City, who are again sixth in the table, with the sides set to meet on 6 December in a 3pm kick-off.

January business could be crucial to Millwall’s promotion hopes

Millwall did well in the summer to bolster their squad, and they are now reaping those rewards with a strong first half of the campaign.

But rivals will no doubt be active in the January market in order to bridge that gap, and the club will have to respond.

The winter window can be a difficult time to find the right opportunities in the market, and Millwall must avoid spending just for the sake of it, but they must keep their eye out for potential targets that can aid their top six hopes.

The club have come so close in recent years to a play-off place, so another near miss this season would be tough to take.