Millwall skipper Hutchinson: We can’t dwell on final day agony – Lions need to mount another play-off assault

Shaun Hutchinson is determined that Millwall consign missing out on last season’s Championship play-offs to the past – and says dredging up the painful memories of the final day is only risking a hangover.

The Lions were 3-1 up against Blackburn Rovers in their last fixture of the regulation season – a result which would have clinched a top-six finish.

But the Lancashire club hit back in a disastrous second half for the Lions to finish 4-3 winners, pushing Gary Rowett’s side down to seventh in the standings.

Millwall resumed training on Wednesday as they begin the build up to their opening fixture at Middlesbrough on August 5.

“It’s probably an end to the season that I will never forget,” Hutchinson told the South London Press. “It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had  in my career – in terms of the way it went.

“But we can’t dwell too much on the past, we have got to look forward. We have to try and get together and get prepared for what will be a tough Championship.

“There is no mention of it (the Blackburn game) any more. There has been no talk of it since we have been back in. If we get back in that position again as a club then we are more used to it and prepared for it – we know what is coming.

“We’re all ready and refreshed to have another go at it.”

Former Lions striker Steve Morison recently told our paper that he felt Rowett’s team should have used more gamesmanship to break Blackburn’s momentum in the second period.

“With the benefit of hindsight there are a lot of things we could’ve done,” said Hutchinson. “I’ve gone through a lot of different scenarios in my head, in terms of what could’ve helped.

“At the time when you have all the emotion of playing, and the game has turned like it did along with the stakes being so high, it is hard to calm down and think ‘what is the best situation here or what should we do?’.

“I think maybe next time we deal with that better.

“We don’t want to dwell because we certainly don’t want to start pre-season that way (on a negative).

“There are some big name clubs that were in this league last season that are probably going to pick up and do a little bit better and there are some big teams coming down and also coming up.

“I don’t think the bigger teams are spending like they used to spend. It has closed the gap a little bit. But it will be a real challenge – it’s one where we need to step up again. We want to keep improving which, to be fair, we usually do.

“With a few more signings coming through the door, I’m sure we’ll have a really solid squad and  a togetherness that means we can push on again.”

The Geordie centre-back, 32, has made 242 appearances for Millwall.

“I’d like to have more of an injury-free season – as I’m getting older it is a little bit harder,” said Hutchinson. “I try and do everything I can to be the best player I can. If the captaincy roles on again, I’ll try and be a better captain. It was my first year doing it. I’m always striving to do better.

“I don’t feel like I’m slowing down too much. I’m enjoying playing for Millwall, like I always do. It is my seventh season now here.”

PICTURE: MILLWALL FC