NEIL HARRIS has stressed that he is “extremely excited” to see players who have struggled for game time in recent weeks.
First-team stars like Casper De Norre, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Wes Harding and Murray Wallace were often regulars under Harris’ predecessors this season but have had limited minutes amid Millwall’s strong run of form.
The Lions boss has opted for a fairly consistent line-up since returning to The Den which has meant time on the bench for some big names, while Harding has not made the matchday squad in the last three matches.
But Harris is keen to remind his squad that everyone has a part to play and has even had a chat with midfield talent De Norre to reassure him about his importance.
The Millwall head coach told NewsAtDen: “There’s some lads that haven’t had a lot of minutes that I’m extremely excited to see. I watched Romain Esse and Adam Mayor play very, very well in the under-21s [on Monday in a 7-0 win over Watford]. I’m excited to see them in a completely different environment of first team football.
“Brooke Norton-Cuffy has come on in four games. And even Saturday [against Birmingham City] he’s only on the pitch for four minutes, but he won two headers and put his head in where it hurts. Why’s he doing that? Because he knows it’s the demand.
“I know Murray Wallace’s capabilities at centre-half or left-back and I know he’s chomping at the bit and he’ll be sitting there thinking ‘come on Chopper, get me in the team’ and I’m aware of that. I want to see him on the pitch.
“And I’m leaving Wes Harding and Allan Campbell out the squad, two talented players with a proven record and pedigree in the Championship.
“I had a really good chat with Casper last week just making sure he’s aware of my understanding of him and his ability and that he’s a bloody good player and will be a very good player for this football club still. But he can’t argue with the fact that Billy Mitchell and George Saville have been exceptional in four games.
“Sometimes you can be really excited about the players not in the team but you have to really appreciate players in the team and what they’ve done.”
The switch to a back four from Joe Edwards’ back five has created limited spaces in the defence and Harris says he’s a big fan of “top pro” Harding despite the 27-year-old losing his place.
Harris added: “It’s really unfortunate on Wes because he’s a top pro, a top bloke. Really popular in the group and I’ve been a big fan of his for years and years. It’s tough but ultimately it’s my job to make those tough calls and try and use man management skills to make people feel valued and respected.”