Millwall finished 8th in the EFL Championship last season, finishing just outside the playoffs. Now, with a new season inevitable, the Lions will be looking to improve and push on up the table in the upcoming campaign.
Ahead of their opening fixture against Norwich on the 9th of August, I sat down with Millwall fan Tommy Melluish (@Tommy__MFC on X) to talk all things Lions in a Millwall interview.
Before we start, I would like to thank Tommy for taking part in this Millwall Interview. His responses were informative and aim to give you an insight into Millwall as a club currently.
The Millwall Interview
Q1. Millwall finished just outside the playoffs last season. But how would you summarise the season?
“Overall, the 24/25 campaign can be looked back at as one of real success for us. To have parted ways with our former manager, Neil Harris, and not have Alex Neil take charge until New Year’s Day, to have finished 8th and just two points away from the playoffs can be seen as a very successful season whilst still learning and defining just how Alex Neil wants the team to play.”
Q2. What was your favourite moment of last season?
“My favourite moment has to be back in November 2024 of last season, where we beat both Burnley and Leeds in back-to-back games. Both resilient 1-0 wins at home and both were the embodiment of Millwall, a club who will always get results against top opposition but struggle against the on paper easier opposition (a 5-1 loss away to now relegated Plymouth being the perfect example).”
Q3. What would you rate Millwall’s transfer window out of 10?
“Thus far, I’d rate the window a solid 8/10. We’ve made some smart additions to the squad in the likes of Zak Sturge from Chelsea, a young left back who looked promising with us on loan last season, and now joined permanently, as well as some more experienced Championship additions like Massimo Luongo and Josh Coburn, the latter forming a strong partnership with Mihalio Ivanovic up front.”
Q4 Who has been Millwall’s best signing of the summer so far?
“Undoubtedly, however, the best signing so far has to be the addition of Alfie Doughty from Luton. Being 25 and with quality championship and premier league experience, Doughty gives us quality on the wing, although unclear if this will be from the left back or left wing position, and offers quality set piece delivery and a source of chance creation for Ivanovic and Coburn up front with his known crossing ability.”
Q5. What area of the squad needs improving the most and why?
“Overall, the squad is in a healthy position, and there’s quality depth across the pitch in practically every position. I do think we need to explore the idea of bringing at least one centre back in to provide depth for Jake Cooper and Japhet Tanganga however, this is probably one of the strongest conditions the squad has looked in, prior to the start of a season.”
Q6. What do you think of the club currently?
“Right now, I think the clubs in one of its most exciting states to date, with a real vision for the future, looking at players with high potential resale value with growth to improve profit margins and general sustainability of the club. There’s a lot of ambition in the club to make this upcoming season the true season where we not only fight for the play-offs but we make a place in the top 6 our own.”
Q7. Can Alex Neil bring success to Millwall next season?
“All the evidence so far points to the answer being an undisputed yes. The players clearly enjoy playing under his guidance and expertise, and I feel his tactical approach of pragmatism mixed with a real urgency to press and fight more, heavily coincides with what the fans want, which is hard-working football that is exciting yet practically not reckless.”
Q8. Are Millwall prepared for next season?
“After numerous pre-season friendlies against teams ranging in quality, from Crystal Palace and Eiche from Spain, to Northampton and Bromley, we’ve seen numerous examples showing the squad is more than ready for the season ahead. The squad looks in great shape thanks to the 6 signings so far (Steven Benda, Massimo Luongo, Alfie Doughty, Zak Sturge, Josh Coburn and Max Crocombe) along with exciting players like Camiel Neghli, Femi Azeez, and of course Mihalio Ivanovic, all expected to continue and improve on last season’s numbers.”
Q9. Who is the club’s best player currently?
“The one player in our team who I think undisputedly is Premier League level right now is, of course, Japhet Tanganga. The best way to describe the defender is that he is simply a Rolls-Royce of a centre back at this level, with his undeniable quality on the ball and impressive strength, speed and general game awareness making him a top championship centre back who can easily make the transition to Premier League football.”
Q10. Can you give me your prediction for how Millwall will get on next season?
“With no doubt in my mind, I’m confident that at the minimum, Millwall will finish this season in the top 8. The quality in the squad as of this moment and the general excitement in the fanbase has optimism flying. I’m being rather cautious by saying top 8 and not top 6, but that is out of respect to the other competition within the league. However, I am confident in saying this will be our strongest push for the play-off places to date and if this is our season where we finally break the top six, maybe just maybe, Millwall could be in the top flight of English football.”
Q11. What do you think about the prospect of playing in the Premier League?
“The idea excites me heavily, but in evidence of the change in mindset at the club over the past 12 months, playing in the Premier League has gone from a dream to a real possibility.”
“The club are planning for the future, with profiting on sellable assets within the club, particularly from the academy (Romain Esse joining Crystal Palace for just under £15 million and being a home grown talent from the academy).”
“If we can continue in this current model and ideology, the idea of playing in the Premier League not only excites me for the obvious thrills and headlines of the opposition we will face, but it also feels like a distinct possibility for the club in the not so distant future.”
Thank you for reading the Millwall interview if you have any feedback, please let us know by commenting below.
