Millwall midfielder didn’t hide disappointment at missing out on starting role

Gary Rowett has praised Ben Thompson for his impact off the bench in Millwall’s 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday – with the Den chief fully aware he was unhappy at missing out on a starting spot.

Thompson was one of three changes to the Lions’ starting line-up for the Championship match as George Evans’ debut nudged Ryan Leonard into a more advanced midfield role.

But the academy product was introduced at the break for Maikel Kieftenbeld. Thompson scored Millwall’s third goal of the afternoon.

“It’s funny because I left him out not through performance – he was excellent against Norwich,” said Rowett. “I thought Lenny might give us something different in there and it didn’t quite work out like that.

“Thommo being Thommo was devastated not to be in the team. He had his head up his backside for about an hour in the lead up to the game. But he does it for the right reasons, because he wants to play. What he did, like any person should when they are disappointed in that way, is that you have got to show it out on the pitch and prove any manager wrong.

“What’s nice for Thommo is that he has started to add a little bit of a goal threat. If you’re going to play in that advanced position then he has to score goals and set up goals – simple as that. It is how you are going to get judged whether you are the right person for that area.

“He was excellent. It was certainly a great strike.”