Kenny Jackett

Lions boss hails impact of Hammers striker

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett believes Carlton Cole was the main difference between the two sides during the Hammers 2-1 triumph at Upton Park.

The striker netted in first half injury time and although Liam Trotter equalised, Winston Reid replied almost immediately to seal the win for the east Londoners, who had Kevin Nolan sent off in the eighth minute for a two footed tackle on Jack Smith.

Jackett acknowledged that his side didn’t do enough to make the most of the man advantage, but believes Cole more than made up for the hosts one man disadvantage.

“Perhaps we could have done better with the ball,” he admitted to Sky Sports after the game.

“Carlton Cole can pull goal kicks down on his chest and he is capable to play up there on his own and doing a good job and that made the difference.”

The defeat leaves the Lions one place and five points above the drop zone before the rest of Saturday’s matches and the boss has set a points target that he things will seal their safety.

“For us it is moving forward we need 21 points from last 17 games and that what we need to focus on,” he said..