Saturday 6 December 2014 19:32, UK
Millwall manager Ian Holloway took full responsibility for his side's 5-1 humiliating home defeat by Middlesbrough and described Saturday as "probably my worst in football".
The Lions were blown away by a first-half Jelle Vossen hat-trick and goals from Patrick Bamford and Kike completed the visitors' scoring, with Scott McDonald netting the hosts' consolation.
Millwall have now won just once in 15 games and manager Ian Holloway, whose decision to experiment with a three-man defence backfired spectacularly, said: "I apologise to the supporters for that performance.
"That team was unrecognisable. I won't blame anybody because the responsibility is mine. I'm shocked and horrified.
"It was an awful day, probably my worst in football. But it will make us stronger."
The result was just the fillip Boro boss Aitor Karanka needed after an eventful seven days during which he has been charged by the FA for allegedly pushing a fourth official and seen assistant head coach Craig Hignett leave the club.
"I'm very pleased with the reaction," said the Riverside boss. "It's been a difficult week for everyone, especially me, and the players have been brilliant. It was a very good performance in a difficult stadium."
Belgian striker Vossen joined Boro in September but had gone 12 games without a goal - although he had obviously not come up against a defence as charitable as Millwall's.
The 25-year-old thought he had opened his account after two minutes but David Forde clawed his effort out and play was waved on, despite Boro's appeals that the ball was over the line.
But he did not have to wait long for the floodgates to open and when, in the 21st minute, Kenneth Omeruo sent a ball over the top. Vossen raced onto it and hooked a fantastic finish over Forde.
Seven minutes later Boro doubled their lead through Chelsea loanee Bamford, and it was three when Vossen tucked in Adam Reach's cross.
And just before half-time Vossen completed his treble, tucking away the rebound after Forde had blocked Bamford's initial effort.
"I know how good Jelle is, and when you are a very good striker one day the goals will arrive," added Karanka.
"He's been working hard every day and today he took his chance so I'm very happy with him."
Millwall did at least improve after the interval - although it was hard to imagine they could have got any worse.
McDonald bagged a consolation from close range with 12 minutes remaining, only for Boro sub Kike to reply within seconds with a shot in off the post for Boro's fifth.
