Millwall managed to secure a point against promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after Matt Smith’s goal cancelled out Kyle Bartley’s opener.

It was a tough match for the Lions which outlined many pros and also cons to their current climate. Here are five things we learned from the game:

Learning from last season’s mistakes

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Millwall tend to start seasons slow. Last season they managed only one win in their opening eleven games as leaking late goals become almost a certainty.

25% of the goals Millwall conceded in the 18/19 campaign came after the 80th minute. It was a curse that they struggled to shake off all season however, this term they seem to have plugged the hole in the sinking ship.

Last weekend they managed to see out a 1-0 victory against Preston, something which seemed impossible last year, and away at the Hawthorns they absorbed heavy pressure from West Brom in the last 10 minutes of the game to see out a well-earned point.

Yes, we are only two games in and it is too early to make assumptions but both games have shown that Harris has addressed the Lions’ defensive frailties in the end of games and it is picking them up points.

Matt Smith’s a handful

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Having chased Matt Smith since the Ian Holloway era, it was no surprise when the striker finally came south of the river this summer to join Millwall.

Standing at 6ft6 his attributes clearly compliment Millwall’s style of play but the striker’s sheer dominance in his opening two games has been somewhat surprising.

He has won nearly every aerial duel so far, and his shear strength makes even the most robust centre-halves look weak.

After having an unlucky preseason, the striker finally got off the mark for his new club and he could have had a few more. The 30 year-old managed to notch four goals in four games when he was granted consecutive starts last season for QPR, and with the way Millwall play you’d expect him to break into double figures this season.

New beginnings

Last season ended with a morbid atmosphere around the club, as Harris came out said that some of his players were causing issues inside the changing room. The Lions limped over the line to Championship safety, despite finishing 8th the season prior and as a result there was a huge personnel change over the summer.

However, last season’s woes are dead and buried amongst Millwall fans as a euphoric atmosphere has returned. Over 1,500 fans travelled to The Hawthorns from south Bermondsey and despite the noise from 22,000 Baggies fans and a drum the Lions faithful were not botched out.

It is definitely new beginnings at Millwall as spirits are high yet again, at least for now anyway.

Still need an early away win

In light of the impressive start, if the Lions are going to improve this season then picking up three points away from home needs to be a priority. Millwall have not won an away fixture in the league before Christmas since August 2016.

Last season Millwall’s three away victories came after New Year’s day, and while those nine points effectively secured their survival if they picked up just as many in the first half of the season then they would not have been anywhere near the relegation zone.

Millwall managed only three away victories last season and all of them came after New Year’s day. While those nine points were vital in securing Championship survival, if they had done the same in the first half of the season then they would have never been anywhere near the relegation zone.

It is a problem that Harris and his backroom staff need to resolve. The Lions need to win away from home more than three times this season, and do it before the turn of the year if they are going to climb the table.

West Brom needed their deadline day signings

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The Baggies were one of the busiest Championship clubs on Thursday’s transfer deadline day, as they managed to recruit four more players.

And many were bemused to see that none of the four were included in West Brom’s matchday squad for the fixture against Millwall.

The Baggies managed to have 70% of possession during the match, but was limited to only four attempts on target. Charlie Austin, Chris Willock, Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira were all introduced at half-time, but their experience and quality was probably needed on the pitch.

The hosts struggled to be clinical and create chances, and the four they brought in on Thursday will definitely improve them but it was to Millwall’s fortune that Bilic crazily opted to leave them out.