Millwall manager Gary Rowett has shed light on the approach that he wants his Lions players to take when they take on Birmingham City tonight.

He wants to see the side show a display of 'energy, aggressiveness and forcefulness' while also remaining focused and relaxed in a tough game against his former side.

Rowett's men are seven points off where they want to be and they will be looking for all three points in an important game tonight before taking on Bristol City at The Den in three days.

Speaking to News At Den, Rowett said: "You try to relax them and make them aware of what we need to do to put good performances in. I think they know it's a must-win game.

"They maybe felt a bit that Saturday was a must-win game, after beating Preston and going to Wigan, with where Wigan are in the league. Sometimes that puts added pressure on and makes players play with more fear and tension, which isn't good.

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"At the same time we have to understand that all our performances – whether we've played 4-2-3-1 at home and performed really well, 5-2-3 at home and performed really well – was not down to the system but to the intensity we played at. It was the energy and the aggression."

The former Stoke City boss was appointed manager of Millwall in October and he has seen an upturn in results since. The Lions have played 21 games under their new boss and only lost five times as they have become genuine contenders for the play-offs.

Millwall did slip to defeat at the weekend as they lost 1-0 away at relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic.

The Verdict

Rowett has told his players that the pressure is off them and can't overthink a must-win game which is the right way to go from the manager.

It relaxes the players and allows them to go out on the pitch with a free mind and express themselves during the course of the 90 minutes.

The Millwall manager is known for his good man-management and his approach could see the Lions get a comfortable win against Birmingham tonight.