ZAT Knight insists that the play-offs are still a viable target for Wanderers this season despite watching another two points drop by the wayside at the Reebok.

The big defender held his hands up for the “sloppy” defending that gifted Millwall their opener but feels the fight showed by the Whites to get back into the game was evidence that all hope is not yet lost.

“We got back into the game and I thought we showed a lot of fighting spirit,” he said. “Even though the defending was sloppy for their goal.

“I don’t know if everyone sees it, but I think there has been a lot more togetherness recently.

“What we are doing in training, we are trying to emulate in the game. If we can stop the one or two mistakes we are making and put the ball in the back of the net at the other end, then I can see us getting on a bit of a run. We’re just about the only team in this division that hasn’t done that yet.

“It’s in our hands at the moment and while that’s the case then it’s not to late.

“We’ve performed well in the last few games but we need to turn them into wins.”

Knight praised Marvin Sordell for his late cameo, which had come after 80 minutes of barracking from the Millwall fans.

The England Under-21 striker has had an unsettled first year in the North West but Knight reckons he showed the kind of mental strength on Saturday that could yet see him win over his doubters.

“It wasn’t nice hearing the songs through the game but I thought he did well in the minutes he was on the pitch,” he said. “He’s a strong-minded lad and just wants to play football, so hopefully he will get some more opportunities.

“Sometimes you need to put your arm round people to pick them up but not Marvin. He hasn’t let it get him down.”

Stuart Holden’s impending return is one reason that Wanderers’ fans should not be too down in the dumps, and Knight reckons the American midfielder will also be a fillip for the dressing room too.

“It will be a fantastic boost for everyone when Stu is playing,” he said. “Before he got injured he was one of our best players so to have someone like that back in the squad will be great.

“I don’t know if it’s the plan to give him a run-out at Sunderland – it might just give us that push towards the end of the season.

“We’ve had absolutely no luck but that can change. We we need to keep fighting until there is no chance.”