‘Today was his moment for us’ – Alex Neil praises Millwall goalkeeper after Sheffield United performance – and reveals words to him after Norwich City debut.

ALEX Neil praised Steven Benda for making two outstanding saves to help Millwall beat Sheffield United 1-0 on Saturday, and revealed what he told the custodian after his difficult debut at Carrow Road.

Benda, 26, joined Millwall on loan from Fulham this summer and started the club’s first game of the season away to Norwich City.

He gave up a soft equaliser in the 55th minute when Josh Sargent blocked his attempted long-range pass and the ball bounced into the net. The Lions went on to win the game 2-1.

The German goalkeeper started Millwall’s next two league games, a 3-0 loss at home to Middlesbrough and a match-winning performance away at Bramall Lane, respectively.

In the 50th minute, he got down superbly to his left to keep out Louie Barry’s swerving effort, before pushing Gustavo Hamer’s curled effort past the post in the 68th minute, which was destined for the top corner.

He made another fantastic save in the 87th minute, quickly palming the ball over the bar after it bounced around the box following a set-piece, but the referee whistled for a foul on the Blades.

Neil discussed his performance following the victory. “What I did say to him after the Norwich game in front of the lads is, there’s going to come a point where we’re going to need you, and that’ll be your moment,” Neil told me.”This was his moment for us.

“There will be more moments to come. But today, we needed him to make two or three outstanding saves, and he delivered.

“So all of the credit he will receive should compensate for some of the criticism he may have received, but he will not receive any criticism from me because it is not an easy job, is it? Sometimes you make mistakes. We simply need to get on with it.

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com