Keeper admits Millwall must improve against Blackburn (From News Shopper)

Keeper admits Millwall must improve against Blackburn

8:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport By Brad Pinard

MILLWALL keeper David Forde is hoping the Lions can put their poor league form to one side when they host Blackburn in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The winners of the quarter-final tie at The Den will advance to Wembley and could then be just 90 minutes away from a historic FA Cup Final appearance and possible European football.

Forde is determined to pick his team up ahead of the crucial game and hopes their recent poor Championship form will be a distant memory come Sunday afternoon.

“The bread and butter is the league and we have to stay focussed on that,” he said.

“But we have a chance to put the form right on Sunday.

“We know that Blackburn are probably going to be a better side than Wolves.

“It is going to be a very tough game, but we are hopeful.”

The Republic of Ireland international was left helpless for both of Wolves’ goals in their surprise 2-0 victory at The Den on Tuesday night.

Forde has reiterated his disappointment after yet another home defeat and claims Kenny Jackett was as distraught as he has seen him after a game.

The keeper said: “We didn’t put in a performance at all.

“We didn’t deserve to get anything out of the game and it is very disappointing.

“That is the most disappointed the manager has been after a game.

“I’ve been here for five years now and that is a very low point.

“We have won one out of eight games, which is not good enough.”

While the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend, Millwall are very aware they are now in a relegation battle.

And if results go against the Lions on Saturday in the league, Jackett’s side could be just four points clear of the relegation zone by the time they face Blackburn the following day.

Reaching the play-offs looked realistic two or three months ago, but Millwall’s woeful form since the departure of Chris Wood has seen them slide down the table.

“If you put in a performance and lose then fair enough,” Forde said.

“But we were miles off of it against Wolves and have been for a while and that’s not good enough.

“We have to stay concentrated on staying in the division.

“The second Wolves goal was one of those quality goals, but we haven’t done enough in the game.

“No matter how the opposition score, you are just upset to concede at any time.”

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