JAMIE Shackleton isn’t used to losing games in the Championship.
While he only played 22 games, he was part of the Leeds United side that stormed to the Championship title in 2019/20, picking up 93 points and losing just nine of their 46 matches.
The Lions have already suffered five defeats so far this season, with the recent 2-0 loss at home to QPR arguably the most painful result of the lot. However, Gary Rowett’s side responded with a 2-1 win at home to Blackpool, something which the 22-year-old midfielder believes will be a huge boost for them as they head into the international break.
“It was disappointing on Wednesday to lose the game,” Shackleton explained after Saturday’s victory. “But I thought that we reacted well and showed a lot of character today to get the three points that we definitely needed.
“It obviously lifts the mood around the place. We’ve got a bit of a gap now between the games and we can go into the next one after the break positively and hopefully pick up another three points.”
Saturday’s win saw him reunited with Blackpool winger Ian Poveda, who’s spending the season on loan at Bloomfield Road from Leeds United. Michael Appleton opted not to start him against Millwall, but instead brought him off the bench with just under 20 minutes to go, slotting him into the left-wing position.
As a result, Shackleton was directly marking his friend and former teammate for the final stages of the game, although he admits that Poveda “didn’t get many chances to get on the ball and run at us”.
It all stems from his new role as a right wing-back, although he spent much of his time at Elland Road occupying a similar position. Nevertheless, he’s still a natural midfielder, which is where he played in the early stages of his time at Millwall, although he remains adamant that he doesn’t mind where he fits in as long as he’s on the pitch.
“I enjoy playing both positions. It’s not a case of me preferring one to the other or that I don’t enjoy playing at right-back.
“I’ve probably played more games there last season, so it’s something that I feel I’m comfortable doing and I enjoy playing there.”
Crucially, the win against the Tangerines was the third game in a row where Shackleton played the full 90 minutes. It means that he’s started all but one of Millwall’s Championship games so far this season, which is a welcome change from his life in West Yorkshire.
“That’s one of the big reasons that I came on loan, to put a good run of games together and pick up a nice bit of form, something that’s been hard to come by for the last couple of years at Leeds. That’s the aim and hopefully I can continue that.”
Photo: Millwall FC