‘I had a warped perception’ – Billy Mitchell on a ‘tough’ campaign as Millwall midfield battle ramps up

Billy Mitchell has admitted this season has not been as smooth sailing as some of his others in a Millwall shirt.

The 22-year-old has made 22 Championship appearances this season – 15 of those starts – as he faces competition from the likes of Casper De Norre, George Saville and George Honeyman for a midfield spot.

Mitchell started 34 matches in the previous campaign – an ankle injury ruled him out of a further nine – and featured in 42 games in the season preceding that one.

“It’s been tough,” said the academy product. “Maybe as a young player I had a bit of a warped perception of what was normal. Under Gary Rowett, for the last two or three seasons, I knew I would play nearly every game, regardless of the circumstances – unless I was really struggling with injury or I was ill.

“Most young players have a steady progression where they build up their appearances to hopefully play a full season of games. For me it has gone the other way around.

“Just before Gary left I probably had a dip in form – that happens.

“I was really excited when the gaffer now, Joe Edwards, came in with a bit of a different style of football which I feel can really suit me – get on the ball, play a bit more and creating.

“It’s something I probably tried to do under Gary but not everyone was on the same wavelength, we weren’t really set up to do that, whereas now we are.

“It’s a fresh start when a new manager comes in and everyone is vying for their position. Casper got injured and Sav got a three-game suspension for his straight red – it was a good opportunity for me.

“I was pretty pleased with how I performed in some of those games, even if the results didn’t necessarily go our way.

“When I played against Sunderland and Huddersfield that was sort of me getting my feet back under the table after being out for a few games. I felt I performed quite well against Bristol City, Leicester and QPR.

“I played well in the first half against Boro and maybe not so well in the second half.

“It’s been on and off. I’m hoping now to find a bit of consistency.

“I’m not sure what is going to happen at the weekend (in terms of selection) but part of the job of being a professional football is being professional – come what may. You need to make an impact when called upon.”

Mitchell has played 132 first-team games for Millwall.

Asked how his role has changed since the switch from Rowett to Edwards, Mitchell responded: “I think Gary Rowett had it right with my role.

“Towards the end of his tenure I think I kind of battled back against playing from a slightly deeper role – because I felt I had so much more in the locker to be able to go forward. For me that was about joining in further up the pitch.

“I have that license under Joe. However I’ve found I naturally gravitate to wanting to build things from a deeper position – either dropping to take the ball off defenders, getting us out of tight positions at the back of the pitch or playing a forward pass through the lines to start an attack from deep.

“So I don’t think my role has changed too much. It’s thinking about being a bit more tactically aware. I play what I see, really.”