Ian Holloway: Norwich City defeat "could've been worse"

Ian Holloway has admitted that his Millwall side were lucky to escape with a 4-1 defeat against Norwich City, claiming that it "could've been worse".

The Lions now find themselves eight points from Championship safety following the heavy reverse at The Den on Saturday afternoon.

All four of Norwich's goals came within a 22-minute spell either side of half time as they put a struggling Millwall side to the sword in South London.

"Jonny Howson's smashed one in from their first shot at goal – talk about a bullet to your heart," manager Holloway told reporters after the game. "I felt the boys kept going but all of a sudden we gave a penalty away when the ball was rolling out so I was gutted for the lads.

"I knew that would start other feelings off and unfortunately it did. It gave Norwich a boost of confidence, they got going and for a while we were on the rack. They scored two more, hit the post and it could've been worse.

"I still felt that the lads kept going and worked hard for each other. I felt they still showed a Millwall spirit but maybe I was the only one in the ground who did."

Millwall will look to bounce back from their latest setback when they visit Bolton Wanderers next weekend.