Joe Bryan has made it clear that none of Millwall’s players will be visualising a plum FA Cup fourth round draw before they face Dagenham and Redbridge at The Den on Monday night.
The Lions will be favourites to progress from the third round tie in SE16 as they host National League opposition.
Dagenham sacked boss Ben Strevens at the end of December.
Asked if there is no pressure on the Daggers with the expectation of a home win, Bryan said: “Yeah, absolutely.
“I think they will come and play with absolute freedom. They will be a tough team. It is horrible for the team that is at home and expected to win.
“Dagenham can play with freedom, and that is a dangerous team. Any team, at any level, has to be respected because they are all very, very good players. If you are playing in any of the leagues in England then you are a very, very good player.
“We’ll prepare properly and do everything right. We’ll do our best to win and get through to the fourth round.”
So is there any draw that Bryan would have wanted?
A ground or opponent he hasn’t chalked off in a career that has seen him play more than 400 senior games and play at all the levels between Premier League and the National League?
“We need to beat Dagenham and not think too far past Monday’s game. I honestly would never think past that game. It’s not like anyone is in the dressing room going: ‘Oh, if we beat them we might get West Ham away’ or something like that. What this squad is very good at is focusing on the game in front of them.”