Mattsson call backfired for City chief

Sam Field was preferred to Mattsson alongside Kenny McLean at the Den, but the visitors wilted in the face of a ferociously committed display from Alex Neil’s side.

Clement resisted the urge to make changes at the interval but Mattsson, Jack Stacey and Papa Diallo were all stripped and ready to be introduced from the bench just before Millwall doubled their lead around the hour mark.

“We knew the direct play of Millwall with a lot of long balls would be a test and Sam played this game also last season in that role really well,” said the City boss.

“We knew with the set pieces we needed also more height, so that was the thought process with Pelle.

“It didn't come out in the way that I expected it. So you know, we all lose together. Looking back, on hindsight, I would have taken other decisions there.

“But that was based on what we saw last season and the way of playing of Millwall.

“(Why no half-time changes?) Because it was so below par from what I've seen before of those players that I wanted to give them a second chance in in the second half to react as a team and as an individuals.

“It's a surprise (to see this performance). Of course, I knew this was a really hard game. I have a lot of respect for what Millwall is doing. They missed only promotion with one point last season.

“They bought also good players in in the playing style that they want to play.

“You need to be really good on the ball, and you need to be really good in the duels to play against them.

“And in the first half, in both things, we were not good enough. A big difference with last season, where we were good in the duels, where we were good on the ball, and because of that we played a really good game here also.”

Clement confirmed Paris Maghoma missed out with a calf injury and is not expected to feature in Tuesday’s League Cup trip to Cardiff.

“Paris got a kick on his calf, so he will be shortly out, but not too long. But it's too sensitive for the moment,” he said. "I don't know if he will be back the next two games.

“I cannot give guarantees.

“I'm not a doctor, and I don't feel Paris’ body, of course, so I cannot give guarantees there. But he will not be out for months or something.

“I had certain plans in my head already before this game for Cardiff, but some change after this.

“The capacity in this group is there. I'm positive also if I see in the second half how Papa came in, Anthony (Musaba) came in, so they will help also in that story the next couple of months.

“We need to integrate them more again into the team. So going back to basics now and focus on Cardiff. That's the thing we need to.”