Millwall boss assesses Bangura-Williams impact and warns development is not “overnight” thing

Alex Neil has talked about the patience required in developing young players – with the Millwall head coach impressed by Ra’ees Bangura-Williams’ recent first-team involvement.

The former Tooting & Mitcham youngster, 20, marked his debut with a superb strike in the FA Cup win over Dagenham & Redbridge at the start of last week and then made his first Championship appearance as a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Hull City.

“He was good,” said Neil, asked for his assessment of Bangura-Williams’ contribution. “Two or three balls landed for him – he showed composure, took it down and played a pass. He created the next phase of the attack, shall we say. I was pleased with Ra’ees contribution.

“Physically I don’t think it is a problem for Ra’ees (playing Championship football). Until Tuesday he had never played a first-team game at Millwall in his life – so he has made pretty good progress in a short space of time.

“He has featured today. He played the other day and scored his goal. If you are ever going to develop young players then you don’t wake up one morning and the next morning they are all developed and you’re thinking ‘brilliant – we’ve got 10 assets’.

“It takes time. I was at Sunderland, probably one of the best examples in the Championship now because they are full of assets. But we need to be reminded they started this four years ago in League One. Big, big difference.”