Millwall goalkeeper Sarkic can set a new clean sheet best – as he talks about enjoyable tactical change under Joe Edwards

Matija Sarkic can chalk up a new career best if Millwall shut out Middlesbrough at The Den tomorrow.

The Lions goalkeeper has kept four successive clean sheets in the Championship – a feat he has achieved once before while on loan at Birmingham City in the 2020-21 season.

Sarkic will make it five for the first time as a professional if Boro blank in SE16.

“I remember I had a little bit of a run at Birmingham but it would be nice to get a fifth,” the 26-year-old, who signed for a seven-figure sum from Wolves in August, told the South London Press. “The funny thing is that when I tend to think about keeping clean sheets too much that is when I concede a goal.

“I just try and do my job and help out the boys in front of me. If that goes well then generally a clean sheet follows.

“First and foremost three points is most important. But a clean sheet is like scoring a goal for goalkeepers.

“We’re in a good place. We have changed our style of play a little bit since the gaffer came in and it has been a progressive thing that everyone has been enjoying.

“We are changing from a team that has been quite direct to a team that is playing out from the back. It takes time and the gaffer and his team have done a good job of implementing that, not just going into it too quickly and it being a shock to the system. He has drip-fed it into the team really well.”

Lions head coach Joe Edwards was happy with the way that his side performed in last weekend’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Leicester.

The former Chelsea and Everton coach wants Sarkic to distribute to his defenders.

“He is asking us to have that composure and bravery to have the ball at our feet,” said the Montenegro international.

“That is something that suits me, especially from where I’ve come from. At Wolves it was something that they did, especially under Julen Lopetegui last season – so it’s not something I’m unfamiliar with.

“I think it is a strong part of my game. Most of it comes from understanding the pictures you have in front of you and your team-mates being on the same page.

“The previous manager, Gary Rowett, had been here a long time. The boys have been able to slowly learn and made the new approach become more natural and easier.

“If you put it on someone straight away and it doesn’t go the way you like then it can go the other way, where you become a bit more nervous and scared to make mistakes.

“It’s a more modern style of football. The more direct approach was working for Millwall, and suited me as well, but in this situation I get to showcase all my qualities and strengths, as do all the other players.

“You are seeing that now with the composure on the ball. We have a lot of quality in this team and we can go very far.”

Sarkic had not been at Millwall long before a quad injury ruled him out for 12 league matches.

He made his return to the squad after a two-month absence at the end of November and has started the last  seven games.

“I’ve had injuries in my time – so getting one isn’t new to me,” said Sarkic. “It is not great when you’ve just come to a new club – it always seems to happen at the wrong time, when I feel I’m getting a run of games and into my form.

“It’s mostly due to going on loan and not having a set routine. I was on loan at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke – that was where most of my injuries came from.

“I came to Millwall at a busy period when there were lots of games and I hadn’t had a run of matches before that. It takes a toll on the body, especially if there is a lot of kicking involved.

“I have settled in here and had a run of games now. I’ve been able to get used to the load of matches and I hope, fingers crossed, that I will be injury free.

“I’m in a good place physically and with my goalkeeping, as well.”

PICTURES: PA AND BRIAN TONKS