Millwall manager Neil Harris has spoken about the importance of providing striker Matt Smith after the forward got his third Lions goal of the season on Saturday.

Harris brought Smith to The Den from QPR over the summer for an undisclosed fee. The 6’6 striker scored 23 goals in two-and-a-half seasons at Loftus Road, becoming a cult figure for his aerial ability and hold-up play.

He scored two in his first three for Millwall, and ended a five-game goalless run with one against Huddersfield last Saturday. Luton Town host Millwall tomorrow night and speaking ahead of the Championship clash, Lions’ boss Harris told the press about the importance of getting the ball into Smith in games. Quoted by London News Online, he said:

“We need to keep presenting him with chances,” stated Harris. “He works tirelessly in his own way and has been very unfortunate with chances where balls have found the wrong side of the post or bar… A lot of times earlier in the season, he deserved a little bit of luck.”

Millwall travel to Kenilworth Road with just one away win in their last nine outings, and as the league's second-lowest scorers with just seven from the opening nine games. But Smith will be hoping he can better that record and add to his personal tally against a very capable Luton side.

The Verdict

Smith is an established target man at Championship-level, with proven goal-scoring ability shown at the likes of Leeds United and QPR previously.

He is, though, a player that thrives on service. At 6'6 he's not the most mobile striker, and if his team aren't dropping the ball into penalty box then we'll likely see a quite game from Smith.