How the managers saw it...

ON POINT . . . Stephen Robinson (right) issues the orders to his Athletic side

ATHLETIC manager Stephen Robinson on his opening-day defeat at Millwall:

"They scored from three set-plays - a rash penalty and two corners.

"We were close to going into half-time thinking you have weathered the storm and just need to be a bit better in the final third.

"Then we lose the second goal from not looking after your man, which is basics, before we lost the goal at the start of the second half which was criminal, really.

"I am getting to know the players and who can and who can't do it.

"A lot of them dug in and at 3-0 down, didn't crumble at a place where you can go to shreds.

"We showed character to stay in the game, but the goals were disappointing.

"We had a couple of chances without hitting the target and troubling people.

"Our quality in the final third has to be improved, but if you keep clean sheets you keep yourselves in the game and you give yourself a chance.

"They were a big physical side and physically, we have to be better.

"We have boys coming in to this level at League One for the first time and that's what it is about.

"If you don't match teams physically, defending set plays and crosses into the box, then you will lose more games than you win."



Millwall manager Neil Harris:

"I'm delighted with three points and the performance for the first 50 minutes.

"After that, naturally, especially on the opening day of the season on a sticky pitch in the heat, we took our foot off the pedal.

"Our decision-making was poor at times, but having said that we could have scored more goals.

"But it's great to get off the mark with three points on the board. Everybody's got a nervous anticipation before the game so to be as professional as we were and to be as ruthless as we were in front of goal, I'm really pleased.

"If you roll back 12 months and look at our first home game of the season, Lee Gregory had an early penalty and missed it and Coventry went on to win 4-0.

"So it just shows the differences and fine margins in football. I thought we were exceptional at times, certainly in the first half."