Millwall are taking their time adjusting to life in League One, with the Lions currently lying in 21st place in the table after taking just four points from their first six league matches. Last week's goalless draw against Blackpool at the New Den was another disappointing result for the Eastenders and manager Nigel Spackman will be looking for an improved display when his side host managerless Brighton tomorrow afternoon. A lack of goals appears to be the main problem for the club so far this season, with Spackman's men finding the net only five times in their opening half dozen games. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with former Tottenham, Watford, QPR and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Chris Day ahead of this weekend's clash with the Seagulls.
Q:IS IT FAIR TO SAY IT'S BEEN A SLOW START TO THE SEASON?
A:Yes, things haven't gone exactly as we'd have liked but we're only a few games into the season and I'm sure things will start to improve, hopefully starting tomorrow against Brighton.
Q:HAS A LACK OF GOALS BEEN THE MAJOR PROBLEM?
A:We've not been firing in the goals and obviously goals win you games and that's an area we will be looking to put right. We've got a busy period coming up, with five league and cup game over the next three weeks, so hopefully we can put a bit of a run together. We're still at the early stage of the season where a couple of back-to-back victories can lift you seven or eight places up the table.
Q:IS IT THE CASE THAT THE NEW PLAYERS ARE TAKING A WHILE TO SETTLE IN?
A:After signing 14 new players in the summer it was inevitable that some of them were going to take a bit of time to bed in and find their feet. Having said that, we can't keep saying that forever because we need to start picking up results sooner rather than later.
Q:HOW ARE THE PLAYERS APPROACHING TOMORROW'S GAME AGAINST BRIGHTON?
A:To be honest, I didn't know Mark McGhee had left Brighton until you just told me but it won't change the way we approach the game. Sometimes when a manager leaves a club it can make things more difficult for the opposition because the players pull together and have a real go. Like us, they came down from the Championship last season and are in a bit of a transition period, but I'm sure it will be a tough game.
Q:HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING WORKING WITH NIGEL SPACKMAN?
A:He's been good to work for and the players know exactly what is expected of them. As one of the senior players, he often speaks to people like me and it's good to have that interaction. There is a good work ethic at the club and everyone is pulling in the right direction to try and get things going.
Q:WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF LEAGUE ONE THIS SEASON?
A:I had some experience of playing at this level when I was at Oldham last year and it's a tough division to get out of. At this stage of the season you wouldn't know who the weak sides are and it appears that any team is capable of beating any other on a given day.
Q:IS IT DIFFICULT PLAYING AT THE NEW DEN WHEN THINGS AREN'T GOING TO PLAN?
A:It can be because the fans here have got high expectation and rightly so. On the flip side though, if things are going well they really get behind you and it can be an intimidating place for the opposition. It's up to us to show what we can do to get the fans behind us and put some smiles back on their faces.
