Ryan Leonard on why training has an element of surprise and bouncing back from a slow start

Ryan Leonard admits that Millwall’s training sessions can have an element of surprise. And that’s all down to his adaptability.

When the 29-year-old joined the Lions for a then club record transfer fee in August 2018 he was brought in to bolster Neil Harris’ midfield. But Leonard was used in four different roles during the 1-1 draw with Derby County before the international break.

The former Southend United and Sheffield United player has impressed and seamlessly adapted when tasked with playing deeper.

“Everyone has their favourite position but I feel I can bring a lot because I am very comfortable in four or five,” he told the South London Press. “You don’t see that in a lot of players nowadays. A lot are tied down to one and that can limit your game time and how a manager sees you in his plans.
So I only see it is a plus. It’s enjoyable and also quite funny going into training as I’m sometimes not quite sure what position I’ll be playing in. Depending on who is in the team and what bodies we have available I can be playing at centre-half or a right winger.

“On Saturday I played four positions in 65 minutes. I started at right-back, went to right wing-back, ended up right of a back three and in the last 20 minutes I went into the  centre of midfield. It was a bit of a whirlwind but I really enjoy it. It’s nice to learn positions and how to receive the ball in different areas.

“Any young player coming through it is important to be able to play more than one position. It can really help.”

Leonard has more than paid back his transfer fee. Although undisclosed it was in excess of the £1million fee to prise Tom Bradshaw out of Barnsley.
He had his critics and doubters in the early part of his career in SE16 . Now he is being talked about as an early frontrunner for Millwall’s Player of the Season award.

Recalling when he arrived – shortly after George Saville had been sold to Middlesbrough for £7.5m – Leonard said: “It doesn’t matter what club you’re going into – Premier League, Championship, League One or League Two – if it is for a record fee then you are always fighting an uphill battle to impress people and do well.

“Don’t get me wrong, in my first season I didn’t perform to anywhere near was I was capable of. That was frustrating for me. Since then I’ve managed to get my foot in the door, work hard and keep plugging away.

“It’s a club where you’re appreciated when you put in hard work and give everything you’ve got. That’s what I’ve done. I’ve played six or seven positions out of the 11 for the club. You give everything and you get it back [recognition from the supporters].

“It’s nice to be appreciated. In the last three years we’ve had really strong seasons and strong finishes to the season. I feel that I’m in a good place with my game and my career at Millwall. I want it to continue as long as possible and I signed a new contract, which was pleasing to get that sorted.”

That deal extension was a show of faith by the Lions in Leonard.

He had been out of action since early February after rupturing three ankle ligaments in a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

“At the time I was supposed to be out for eight to 10 weeks – it ended up being just over six months,” said Leonard, who has played 104 matches for Millwall. “It was a real blow.

“I did it after about 25 minutes and then played on until the hour. It was quite sore but we managed to strap it  up. I tried to keep going with it but it got to the stage where it was just too sore to continue.

“I tried to start running again in six to eight weeks but I knew it wasn’t great. Most footballers know their pain threshold and their body, I knew straight away something wasn’t right – that it wasn’t healing the way it should’ve healed.

“I went to see the specialist a second or third time and he told me they’d have to operate. I had surgery on my ankle about two days before the last game of the season.

“It was a real suckerpunch. I’d had a pretty good season up until then. I’d played 95 per cent of the games and done well. We got it sorted and I worked hard over the summer. It wasn’t fun watching people go off on holiday and I was in the gym trying to get myself fit. But it’s the game – you’re going to get injuries, either niggles or long-term ones. It’s great to have that behind me and get back to it.

“Having been injured it was nice the club wanted to give me a new deal. It was a no-brainer, I wanted to stay at the football club.

“The gaffer is building a squad and a team. We’re working hard to try and go places.

“I’m settled. I’m happy and my family is happy, that was the big thing for me.”

After the international break Millwall resume Championship action at Middlesbrough, who have just appointed Chris Wilder as Neil Warnock’s successor.

Wilder was in charge of the Blades when they secured Leonard on a three-and-a-half-year contract from the Shrimpers. But his stay at Bramall Lane lasted just seven months, and totalled 17 matches, before he joined Millwall.

“When I moved to Sheffield United it was a big step up,” said Leonard. “One, in terms of the stature of the football club. And, two, I went up a league as well. I didn’t get as much game time as I wanted and that is never great. No-one is happy sitting on the bench but the team were doing well and I couldn’t have too many complaints.

“There was never any problem with the manager, he understood where I was coming from.

“Millwall were a great option for me. It was going to be my first real full season as a starter in the Championship and I couldn’t turn that down.

“We had the same situation when we played Forest, in that it was their first game after appointing Steve Cooper. I wouldn’t say the players try harder but they have a point to prove. Chris knew what he wanted at Sheffield United and the way he wanted to play. He played very attacking football, in a 3-5-2. It will be interesting to see if he does the same there. I can only see him being a success. He did an incredible job at Sheffield United.

“But we’re going to go there and try to almost spoil the party, try and get the result. We’re doing well and can go there and play with real confidence.”