Millwall have ripped up their blueprint and opted for a change in formation in recent weeks.

While some may see it as sacrilegious by Neil Harris to deviate from the 4-4-2 system that is intrinsically linked in the DNA of Millwall, it has been needed to adapt to the Championship.

This is the Lions’ second season in the second tier after their promotion and having been a stringent user of 4-4-2, Harris had adapted and implemented a new system at The Den.

One player who has been affected most by this change has been Lee Gregory.

More adept at playing in a front two – he has been given the role as a lone striker in Harris’ reinvention of Millwall.

A 4-5-1 (4-3-3) formation has been used in recent weeks to decent effect, but the 30-year-old is suffering for this.

He may be wondering how he is meant to play to his best when the system does not suit his attributes.

Gregory is a willing runner and will do the dirty work just as well – if not better – than when he is being a menace in the opponent’s penalty area.

In a two he is able to get on the end of knockdowns and gamble getting forward, running off the shoulder of the last man.

But in his new role, he is the target man – he is where the ball is aimed to, and he is the one to hold the play up.

Now, he is used to doing that when winning a second ball but to the primary focus of the team might be a little frustrating for the striker.

It is a necessary evil, however, that Gregory needs to understand – and he will – he is one of the most team-oriented players there is at the club.

It’s off the ball his role in the lone striker position is important, and that is what the striker must be aware off and needs to get to grips with.

He has done so, in some games but struggled with others.

With the likes of Jed Wallace, Ben Marshall and Shane Ferguson around him, he has players that can hurt other teams – as well as himself.

Chasing down lost causes and working as hard as he can is a prerequisite for the striker and he continues to do that in the lone striker position – and it is important this continues.

Gregory needs to stay focused and continue to learn and adapt – If he does that, then he knows his fortunes will improve up front.