LEE CLARK is being driven by statistics as he plots victory over Millwall at the Galpharm tonight – but Town’s failure to beat any of the teams above them in the League I table isn’t one of them.
As his side aim to keep a tight hold on a play-off spot, the manager feels the time is right to topple a major promotion rival and keep seventh-placed Colchester, who head to Hartlepool tomorrow, at arm’s length.
“I’m prepared to go to the last second of the last game to book a play-off place if necessary, but obviously it would be great to do it sooner than that, and beating Millwall would be a huge plus,” said Clark.
“This stat about not beating a side above us doesn’t bother me, because other than Millwall away (when Town lost 3-1), we’ve had the chances to win our games against all the others, and now’s the time to put that record right.”
Tuesday’s dramatic 4-3 win over Walsall, sealed with two late goals after the 10-man Midlands side hit back from two down to lead, put Town three points ahead of Colchester and six behind Swindon and Charlton.
Millwall, set to be backed by more than 1,000 fans, are third and desperate for the win in front of the Sky Sports cameras which would put them back into the automatic promotion places, at least until Leeds go to Gillingham tomorrow.
“If we can cut out the defensive lapses we had against Walsall, we will have a great chance because the figures show we scored four times, had 23 efforts on goal, put in 27 crosses and made 451 passes, 375 completed, and that’s not bad,” said Clark, who will run a late check on Lee Peltier (ankle).
