Millwall’s George Saville: Squad strength is so vital in the Championship

George Saville knows that Millwall need to add to their squad before the summer transfer window shuts even if that means him facing a greater challenge for a starting spot.

Lions head coach Neil Harris’ growing frustrations at a lack of incoming business has been apparent in recent weeks in some of his post-match comments.

Harris felt that the extra-quality that Bristol City were able to bring on proved to be a crucial tipping point in the contest as Millwall, who fought back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, lost 4-3 at Ashton Gate.

The South London club have progressed in the EFL Cup – a 1-0 victory at Portsmouth – but have suffered back-to-back Championship losses since the season started.

Millwall did make a transfer breakthrough on Wednesday with the signing of Reading winger Femi Azeez in a deal that is set to cost in the region of £1million.

Saville spoke to the South London Press earlier this week before the Azeez switch had happened.

“With what we have got in the building there are a lot of positives to take,” said Saville, who needs five more appearances for the milestone of 300 in a Millwall shirt.

“There’s no denying that the squad has been thin and it is a massive talking point but, in terms of performances, we were the better team against Watford (on the opening day) and deserved to win that game.

“It was a good cup performance against Portsmouth and then on Saturday we deserved something out of the game.

“At Portsmouth we changed the team and then at 60 minutes he (Harris) brings on me, Lenny (Ryan Leonard) and Bradders (Tom Bradshaw) for half an hour.

“They are three good subs and that is no disrespect to the ones we made at the weekend. But because we’re light on numbers we’ve got Lenny playing at right-midfield for 15 minutes at the end. I don’t think he has played right-midfield in his career.

“It is difficult because the gaffer hasn’t got the players to bring on.

“Subs are really important at this level. We’re doing the best we can and by no means does that mean we’re not competing in games.

“It is difficult at the moment but we could easily be sat here saying we have won two games or we’ve got a win and a draw – then the conversation is completely different. It’s harder when you are losing games of football.”

Saville triggered a 12-month contract extension last season which was based on appearances.

So how do players truly feel if they see a new player walking into the training ground who will be a direct rival? Harris has identified central midfield as an area he wants to bolster.

“I’m 31 now, so it’s a bit different in terms of how I look at the game,” said Saville.

“When you’re younger and you lose a game then you think the world is coming to an end. What am I going to do? Am I going to get back in the team?

“But this football club needs players in the door, whether that is my position or elsewhere. We need good, healthy competition – it’s 46 games in the Championship. It’s hard to play every one – and we’ve got cup games on top of that. You need bodies and competition for places, for sure.”

Millwall finished the previous campaign with five straight victories.

Saville, a veteran of Championship football, knows how quickly fortunes can change.

“There is no panic,” said the Northern Ireland international. “It’s obviously not ideal to lose the first two games. The manner we have lost them is hard to take, both the manner of the goals and conceding so late.

“We’re not used to conceding goals how we are conceding them.

“Last season we would have lost back-to-back games a handful of times but then you go and get one win and then follow it up with another.

“This league can turn on its head. You see Sheffield Wednesday win 4-0 and then they have lost 4-0. We need to get that bit of consistency and try to get back the momentum we had at the end of last season.

“It’s important to stay patient.

“Last season was slightly different. The gaffer came in later and we were in a bad spot. We had to grind and fight for everything at that stage – it wasn’t about prettiness and what we looked like playing. It was just about winning. It still is – but we want to develop and become a better team. You’ve seen glimpses of that.

“You can say we’re attacking more so that’s why we’re conceding more but if you watch the goals – apart from Bristol’s third – we are not getting carved open or played off the park. We’ve made silly errors all over the pitch.”

MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD