KENNY Jackett admits he had to make big changes to his side for Tuesday’s 3-2 FA Cup win at Southampton after they were beaten at West Ham last Saturday.

The Millwall manager’s decision to draft in six different players into the starting XI in an FA Cup tie might not seem that unusual bearing in mind the number of teams who regularly chop and change for games in the competition.

But Jackett added there was a lot more to it than that and added the players who came in now have a very good case for making more starts in Championship games as the Lions bid to pull clear of the three sides below them currently in the relegation zone.

He said: “I changed the team on Tuesday because we’d had a couple of defeats and I think we needed to freshen the side up.

“We changed the system slightly and we put some fresh faces in.

“After what had been two defeats against Watford and West Ham, we did need freshening up.

“We were unlucky against West Ham with the decision on the winning goal and we did generally do enough to get something out of the game.

“I don’t feel we deserved to get beaten but in the end we did, although I felt the side needed to freshen up anyway.”

Jackett added: “They responded well on Tuesday and I’ll assess now our freshness and energy levels over the next couple of days.

“Dany N’Guessan came off with a calf injury/cramp.

“It was good to rest one or two like Liam Feeney, who has played every game since he has been here, but made a big impact as a substitute on Tuesday.

“We haven’t had that type of situation this season where a sub comes on and gets a winner for us, so there are many good things which came out of Tuesday night, not least a very good team performance.

“Those players will get the opportunity to go again.”

And Jackett is under no illusions the FA Cup run will count for little if Millwall don’t secure their Championship status come May.

“It is a really important three months for the club,” he said.

“The league is the priority and the Bolton FA Cup game will look after itself.

“Being a Championship team at home against a Premier League side the motivation will be there naturally.

“I think we will give a good account of ourselves against Bolton in the game coming up and it will bring in some much needed finances to the club, which can also in the end help us in the league.

“But our priority is staying in the division and we’ve got a big run of games coming up where we want to transfer Tuesday’s cup performance and result into the league.

“I hope the players gained confidence out of it and can reproduce that form.”

Millwall are at home to Derby County on Saturday and Jackett is expected to be boosted by the return of his skipper from injury.

“Paul Robinson is fully fit and available,” the manager explained.

“He trained on Monday and Tuesday of this week and if that fitness level stays the same on Thursday and Friday he will be fine.

“We have missed Paul, both for his reliability and his character.

“Derby beat us 3-0 in the first game, so we are looking to bounce back.

“Like a lot of Championship clubs Derby have plenty of talented players and are in a good position in the league under Nigel Clough.

“It is just a massive game for us with our league position and we want to start getting some points on the board.”

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