Millwall have started the season slowly and find themselves in 20th place heading into the international break.

After two wins in 12 games, Neil Harris’ side are only one point outside the bottom three after a quarter of the season and in need of an improvement after the break.

Millwall showed signs of that in their final two matches before the league hiatus.

They came back from two goals down to draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this past midweek before overcoming a one-goal deficit to see off Aston Villa 2-1 at The Den this past Saturday.

There have been shoots of a revival and a reversion back to the Lions of last year, but things still need to improve, and there is now an extended period to work on what needs fixing.

An away trip to Reading awaits Millwall upon the resumption of the Championship with both teams side-by-side in the table with the London club one place and one point above their rivals.

With that said, here are three things Harris needs to work on with Millwall during the international break.

Despite coming back from deficits in their last two matches, the Lions are making it hard for themselves by giving leads way and having to climb a mountain.

Having come back twice, before that once a goal went in, that was it for Millwall; such was their low level of confidence.

The Lions have conceded far too many goals this season and have been behind in seven of their 12 matches this year.

It seems simple, but the defending from the club needs to be worked on as a whole.

With Shaun Hutchinson nearing a return that could change the fortunes of the club heading into the next batch of fixtures in two week's time.

All too often Millwall drop off and allow their opponents to have time on the ball.

Invariably that results in a goal to the opposition. Examples such as Leeds, Forest, West Brom -  the list goes on.

Millwall fail to press and get after their opponents when they are bearing down on goal, and whatever keeper they have long-range strike are conceded and ultimately end up in the back of the net.

Closing down is an issue, and Millwall’s players need to not stand off so much and get involved a little more to pressure their opponents and force them to make mistakes.

Work on this, and there will be an improvement. 

Working on substitutions is impossible to do without a match, but the timing and situation a player come on needs to be revised.

Too often this season when the Lions are chasing a game, attacking subs are only made in the final 15 minutes of a match.

Realistically, what can a player do in such a short space of time?

When he is up to the speed of the game, the final whistle goes.

If the Lions are leading, it is a different story but when behind the timing of the subs has been extremely questionable. 

Working out a way to get them involved sooner to give them more of a chance of affecting a game needs to be thrashed out implemented in adverse situations after the international break