Jake Cooper on signing new Millwall contract and ‘huge pressure’ going into Stoke City match at Den

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Jake Cooper is hoping that Millwall can build on a feel-good past week, which included him signing a new contract with the South Londoners.

The Lions centre-back had been linked with Rangers in the summer transfer window but put pen to paper on fresh terms last Friday.

Cooper followed that up by being one of the standout performers as Millwall defeated Stoke City 1-0 at The Den, their first win since the opening day of the Championship campaign.

The Lions squad had a meeting at the start of last week to thrash out issues from the 3-1 reverse at Norwich City.

“We went through the goals we conceded,” Cooper told the South London Press. “The set-plays were not good enough and the manner of our work-rate was really questioned. That’s not us.

“Going to Norwich away, you can’t be second-best in anything – let alone running and duels. We knew we had to step that up.

“Was there pressure on the Stoke game? Big time. It was huge.

“The week built in the perfect way for the club. We signed Brooke (Norton-Cuffy), I extended my contract and we trained really well back at Calmont Road. To get the three points was the main thing.

“It was almost meant to be, that we would come to The Den with that fighting spirit. The fans turned up and were there when we needed them at the end. It was perfect. Now we look to go to Birmingham and pick up our away form again.

“I was a bit disappointed towards the end, from a defensive perspective. We could’ve made the game a lot easier for ourselves. But it shows our character to dig in and get the points we needed.

“It was a really good first-half performance. The second half was a bit of a shame, but it gives us something to work on.”

Cooper penned an open letter to Lions fans after his contract situation was resolved.

The 28-year-old has played 305 matches for Millwall since arriving from Reading, initially on loan in the campaign they won promotion from League One.

Cooper is a close pal of Jed Wallace, who ran down his Den deal to join West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

“It never crossed my mind to do that,” said Cooper. “I’m a different person to Jed. He was a great player for the club. I speak to him at least once every week. My focus was a little bit different. Jed was happy for me. He knows me and knows it was the right decision for me and my family. He’s a genuine guy.

“The respect the club showed to me, I wanted to put that back into the football club. I want to help push us even further forward.”

It throws up the prospect that Cooper could effectively end his career with Millwall – in terms of his peak years.

“My only goal is to move forward with this football club,” he said. “I’ll be 31 at the end of the contract, we’ll see when we get there.”
Gary Rowett changed his back three for the Stoke fixture, Ryan Leonard coming in for Murray Wallace and playing on the right side. Cooper, Leonard and Shaun Hutchinson stepped up with big displays.

“Hutchy was brilliant alongside me and Lenny’s athleticism really gives us something,” said Cooper. “Everyone knows how good Hutchy and Lenny are on their day. We know the issues they’ve had with their injuries – but they have both put in a huge amount of work since last season in keeping themselves fit.

“I see them in the gym every day, probably the longest out of everyone. They work with a great physio – Alex Stefanakis – who has been brilliant with them.”