Ian Holloway believes a high-tempo game is the key to Millwall avoiding defeat against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The promotion-chasing visitors can potentially go top of the Championship with victory but Holloway wants his side to negate their strengths.

“We’re playing against a really good team who wanna get (the ball) and pass it,” he said.

“We’re gonna try and stop that, gonna try and play a high-tempo game to get in their face to not give ‘em the time to do that to see if we can sustain that and then stick to it.

“I can’t ask for any more than they’re trying to give me, to be honest, but maybe the odd change here and there, might help the boys be right.”

The manager also reiterated the importance for his side to avoid the slow starts they have too often had to overcome this season.

“The lads have gotta realise that the choices they’re making when we’re behind are right, and we need to do that right from the start,” Holloway said.

“Don’t think we haven’t told ‘em, don’t think we haven’t said that. It’s just a choice.

“We do pass it, we do move it around, but it’s about putting it in the right area and building the shape behind that.

“When we get that right we’re a handful for anybody.”

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