Stuttering start from Millwall after last year’s big finish – Oppo Profile Friday, 20th Sep 2024 19:27 by Clive Whittingham Only Ipswich won more points than Millwall once Neil Harris had returned to rescue them from relegation last season, but it’s only one league win and no goals in three of the last four as they struggle to get going in 24/25. We spoke with Lucas Ball… How was last season? LB: Until Neil Harris came back in, last season was tough. Gary Rowett should have left after the Blackburn game at the end of 2022/23 where we inexplicably threw away a play-off spot and the opening games were tough to watch, turgid and showed why a change was needed. Joe Edwards came in looking like an exciting appointment in the mould of the Kieran McKenna’s and a few other success stories but unfortunately this one didn’t work out. The stylistic change was too much for a mid-season appointment and apparently he didn’t get on too well with some players, though I feel sorry for him in that I feel he may have done better if appointed in the summer with a full pre-season behind him. Our form when Harris came in was only matched by Premier League-bound Ipswich, as he brought that Millwall spirit back and re-connected the team with the fans once more. It was a great end to the season in terms of results though we still often failed to create big chances. Millwall in the league so far… Not the best start to the new season, what have you made of it? :B: We’ve played really well for long spells (bar Orient in the cup) and have deserved more than we’ve got. Neil Harris has been much more positive than you’d typically expect and we’ve been so much better defensively since Japhet Tanganga came back in - if he gets injured I’ll be very concerned. If we keep playing the way we have for a lot of the time, more results and points will come for sure, it’s okay at the moment. Harris obviously did a great job at the back end of last season, but was it the right call to keep him on? How’s he doing? LB: When he first came back, the 18-month deal was a cause of concern for me personally but he does actually seem to be trying to evolve in some ways and be more front-footed. He’s starting to get more out of some of our more technically-minded players like Casper De Norre & Romain Esse which can only be a good thing for them, re-sale value of players and recruitment generally, which will also be aided by players like Tanganga wanting to play for Chopper. How did you rate your transfer window? LB: The main issue with our window was how long it took to get deals done, but I appreciate it’s difficult. I think we got just about enough bodies in, in the end but many of those are still settling & Callum Scanlon has now been ruled out long-term, negating his addition I suppose. Josh Coburn started really well but is also set to be out for a few weeks, while the jury is out on many others having come in late. Tanganga has been a beast once more, while Macaulay Langstaff is certainly still finding his feet at this level. It’s a real mix but there have been good signs from most already. Ins >>> Mihailo Ivanovic, 19, CF, Vojvodina (Serbia), £2.5m >>> Outs >>> Alex Mitchell, 22, CB, Charlton, Undisclosed >>> Zian Flemming, 26, AM, Burnley, Loan >>> Kevin Nisbet, 27, CF, Aberdeen, Loan >>> Bartosz Bialkowski, 35, GK, Released Stand out players and weak links so far? LB: Duncan Watmore has surprised everyone with his goal tally so far and has looked lively for spells, but can still go missing in games. Esse has been very good while De Norre looks a lot better. Tanganga has certainly impressed as I’ve mentioned, too. We need a bit more from the fit forwards, with more pressure on Langstaff now - Coburn, Ivanovic and Bradshaw are all out currently. Shaun Hutchinson and Murray Wallace worry me as our main defensive cover, both have lost another yard of pace and neither are too good on the ball at the back, either. George Honeyman has been really good, too, he’s relentless and has improved quality-wise from what we saw last season with chance creation. Revised expectations for the season LB: I think probably lower mid-table and hope we can avoid the scrap at the bottom, just a relatively boring season if we keep key players fit. Links >>> Millwall official website >>> South London Press — Local Paper >>> News at Den — Blog >>> North Stand Banter — Forum >>> News Shopper — Local Paper The Twitter @LucasBall2211, @millwalljdb, @loftforwords Pictures — Action Images Pictures - Ian Randall Photography Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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