Alex Neil spills the secret behind Millwall tactical switch that helped beat Sheffield United

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Millwall have had a brilliant start to the Championship season.

The Lions beat Sheffield United at the weekend to make it two wins out of three and stake their claim for a Championship play-off place.

Japhet Tanganga was asked what the score was by the travelling supporters as he prepares to move to Bramall Lane, but his absence didn’t leave Millwall any weaker as they took the three points back to London.

Alex Neil made a slight tactical tweak that proved to be the inspiration behind the win and has now provided the blueprint for other teams to follow.

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Alex Neil reveals what he changed in Millwall win vs Sheffield United

Despite Sheffield United’s poor start to the season, going to Yorkshire and coming back with three points is still a big achievement.

Under Neil’s watch, Millwall have become a force to be reckoned with and are capable of switching styles.

That’s exactly what Neil did to secure the three points after instructing his players to overcrowd the middle of the pitch.

He told Southwark News: “If we’re going to look off the front more rather than risk the ball through the central areas, then second balls are important, so we flooded it by bringing our two wide players in and making sure that we condensed the space in the central area of the pitch.

“I thought certainly first half it worked. We started a bit tentative in the second half, there was about a five-minute spell where we did alright. Then, to be fair, Sheffield United, at that point, were more on top. We just had to cling on.”

Millwall are genuine promotion contenders

Last season saw Millwall fall short at the final hurdle in their quest to reach the top six, but this time, the Lions have made a strong start.

Keeping Mihailo Ivanovic is a big win for Millwall and barring the blip at home to Middlesbrough, Neil’s side have looked like good value for their wins.

On paper they’ve had one of the toughest starts to the season and if they can keep this run of form going, there’s every chance we could be talking about Millwall being a Premier League club in 2026.