Millwall can achieve automated promotion if three issues keep true: the construction holds, the squad stays recent, and the strain moments preserve going their method. That sounds apparent. Nevertheless, the latest proof is robust.
On Tuesday, 25 February 2026, Millwall beat Birmingham 3-0 at The Den. It was not a fortunate night time. It was a “we belong right here” night time. Targets from Femi Azeez, Tristan Crama and Jake Cooper did the injury, and Birmingham additionally went down to 10 males within the second half. Simply as necessary, that consequence moved Millwall as much as third and stored them inside touching distance of second place.
So, the query shouldn’t be “can they”. The actual query is “how do they flip a run right into a end?”
Alex Neil’s profession
Alex Neil has all the time seemed like a supervisor who prefers management over chaos. As a participant, he was a tidy, aggressive midfielder. As a coach, he constructed a fame for organisation, repeatable patterns, and quick fixes.
He’s not the kind who sells you a dream and hopes it lands. As a substitute, he sells you habits. Then he drills them. That issues within the Championship, as a result of type swings exhausting and noise will get loud.
At Millwall, that strategy suits. The Den respects effort, but it surely additionally respects a plan. When Millwall look clear and aggressive, they develop into an issue for anybody.
What the Birmingham win informed us
A 3-0 scoreline all the time flatters somebody. But this one additionally defined Millwall’s finest path to the highest two.
Millwall had been direct, however not rushed
Millwall didn’t confuse velocity with panic. They moved the ball ahead early, then attacked the second ball with actual intent. That may be a basic Championship method. Nonetheless, it solely works when spacing is correct.
In opposition to Birmingham, the spacing was proper. That’s the reason Millwall might win duels after which preserve assaults alive.
The objectives matched the identification
Azeez’s aim set the tone. Then Millwall stored their foot on the gasoline. Crama added one other, Cooper completed the job, and the group bought what it needed: a efficiency that felt grown-up, not frantic.
The desk strain is now actual
That win lifted Millwall again into third and stored the hole to second sufficiently small to chase. That adjustments the psychology. Now each match appears like a six-pointer, even when it isn’t.
The January additions and why they matter
Computerized promotion campaigns are not often about “finest XI”. They’re in regards to the 14 to 16 gamers you belief when legs go heavy.
Millwall’s January window was not big, but it surely was focused. In response to a January window round-up, Millwall’s confirmed additions included Barry Bannan, plus loans for goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and winger Tommy Watson, and the return of George Evans on the finish of his mortgage.
Barry Bannan provides calm, craft, and tempo management
In a promotion race, you want a participant who can sluggish a match down with out slowing your risk down. Bannan can try this. He affords a dependable first contact, sharp angles, and that easy present of selecting the best go on the proper velocity.
That helps in two methods.
First, it provides Millwall extra management once they go forward. Second, it provides them a greater probability of breaking down deep blocks at residence when opponents arrive to frustrate.
Tommy Watson provides width that doesn’t fade
Promotion groups want “repeat dash” gamers out extensive. Watson can stretch the pitch, carry the ball, and preserve full-backs trustworthy. Even when the ultimate ball shouldn’t be good, the risk nonetheless pins groups again.
That issues late in video games, too. When defenders are drained, direct operating turns into twice as harmful.
Anthony Patterson raises the ground
You don’t win the Championship by being good. You win it by avoiding foolish drops.
A mortgage goalkeeper generally is a quiet repair. It will also be a season saver. If Patterson settles rapidly, Millwall’s defensive stage turns into extra secure throughout the run-in.
The tactical path to automated promotion
Millwall don’t must develop into one thing it isn’t. As a substitute, they should sharpen what already works.
Win the center third, then assault the field quick
Millwall’s finest soccer typically begins with strain and moments of regaining. Once they win the ball in midfield, the subsequent 5 seconds matter most. In the event that they assault rapidly, they drive damaged defensive shapes.
So, the precedence is obvious: squeeze house, win it, go ahead.
Maintain the field risk continuous
Computerized promotion sides often have two issues: a dependable set-piece risk and a constant presence within the field in open play.
Millwall can construct that with easy guidelines.
One runner assaults the close to put up. One arrives late. One holds the far facet for second balls. Then the midfield protects the sting for recycled assaults.
It’s not fancy. But it’s repeatable. And repeatable beats fairly on this league.
Handle matches higher when main
That is the half that separates second from sixth.
When Millwall go one up, they can not drop too deep too early. As a substitute, they need to defend 5 to 10 yards greater, preserve an outlet extensive, and use sensible possession spells to interrupt the opponent’s rhythm.
That’s precisely the place a participant like Bannan can assist most.
The run-in actuality verify
Millwall’s path to a top-two end is feasible, however it isn’t snug.
Here’s what often decides it.
Dwelling type and emotional management
The Den can win matches by itself. Nonetheless, it could additionally demand an excessive amount of too early. Millwall should preserve emotional management, particularly after a missed probability or a foul determination.
In the event that they keep affected person, the group stays with them. Then strain shifts to the opponent.
“Ugly factors” away from residence
Computerized promotion is commonly received in locations you don’t get pleasure from visiting. Away video games will deliver messy minutes. Subsequently, Millwall should deal with 0-0 at 70 minutes as a chance, not a failure.
Keep within the match. Maintain set-pieces harmful. Then steal the second.
Rotation with out shedding identification
Each squad hits a fatigue wall. The groups that go up are those who rotate and nonetheless seem like themselves.
Which means clear roles for the broader squad. It additionally means utilizing the bench earlier, not later, when the tempo drops.
What should occur for Millwall to complete within the prime two
Millwall can achieve automated promotion in the event that they hit these sensible targets.
Goal 2.0 factors per sport in the important thing stretch
You do not want perfection. You want a excessive, regular tempo. If Millwall take two factors per match over a long term, they keep within the automated dialog.
Drop to 1.5, and also you begin staring on the play-offs as a substitute.
Maintain clear sheets and win tight matches
Massive wins like Birmingham are memorable. But 1-0 wins are the true foreign money of promotion.
If Millwall can stack clear sheets, they cut back the video games that develop into coin flips.
Flip good performances into quick begins
Championship matches swing. A shiny opening for 20 minutes can create a lead, and a lead adjustments all the pieces.
Millwall ought to goal to begin rapidly, get our bodies within the field early, and make opponents really feel The Den from the primary minute.
Verdict: Can Millwall achieve automated promotion beneath Alex Neil?
Sure, Millwall can achieve automated promotion beneath Alex Neil, and the Birmingham consequence on 25 February 2026 confirmed why. It was a convincing 3-0 win, it lifted them to 3rd, and it stored the chase alive.
Nevertheless, the ultimate step is all the time the toughest step.
To go up mechanically, Millwall should do the boring issues higher than everybody else. They need to management video games when main. They need to acquire ugly away factors. They usually should use the January additions to remain sharp by way of drained legs.
In the event that they try this, the highest two will not be a dream. It’s a goal.
Do you agree?
