Millwall winger hoping his patience pays off with a run in the team
Shane Ferguson scored the first goal when Millwall chalked up their first away victory last season – and the Northern Ireland international is hoping to keep his starting spot at Huddersfield tomorrow.
The 28-year-old had to settle for a bench role before he was promoted into Neil Harris’ team for Saturday’s derby defeat to QPR.
Ferguson played left wing-back as the Lions boss switched to a 3-5-2 formation.
The former Newcastle man has worked his way up the pecking order before at The Den. Millwall would not have blocked a move at the start of the 2018-19 campaign but he ended up with 35 appearances, 26 of those starts.
“I’ve had to be patient and wait for my chance to get in this season,” said Ferguson. “I was thankful on Saturday. It was my first league start, so you’re trying to get into the swing of things.
“The more games I play then the more confident you get and it helps fitness wise.
“Before the game the manager spoke to me and Macca [Jason McCarthy] and said it would be one-v-one against their wing-backs. When you’re playing full-back you’re a lot more tucked in and defensive minded. Your first thing is defending.
“The manager said to be really attacking and use your strength -because that’s what me and Macca probably like to do more – push up as much as we can and get as many crosses in the box. With Matt Smith there it is a nice target to have.”
It was Ferguson’s corner which dropped for Shaun Hutchinson to score in last weekend’s derby.
“If Shaun Williams is playing then his is more of a driven cross while mine is whipped,” he said.
“The manager was saying at half time: ‘If you’re feeling confident then take it’. Say you had two or three corners and they weren’t great then someone else who takes them might go next. It depends on the moment as well.
“I felt confident taking them on Saturday. Set-pieces have been big for us this season.”