Alex Mitchell on life at red-hot Lincoln City, his Millwall future and committing totally to loan moves

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall defender Alex Mitchell is on his fourth successful loan stint in a row and admits it is tough to envisage life without regular first-team football.

The 22-year-old centre-back is trying to help Lincoln City reach the League One play-offs and their scintillating form is making it look a distinct possiblity.

The Imps are on a 13-match unbeaten run and have scored 16 goals in their last three fixtures – including a 5-1 win at promotion rivals Barnsley and then dishing out home hammerings to Cambridge United (6-0) and Bristol Rovers (5-0).

Mitchell has graduated through Millwall’s academy system and gained experience away from SE16 at Bromley, St Johnstone and Leyton Orient before heading to Lincolnshire in the middle of August.

The defender still has another year to run on the Lions deal he signed in August.

“I’ve played 104 games now and I’ve kind of had a bit of a career for myself outside of Millwall,” Mitchell told the South London Press. “I know that I am on Millwall’s books – if it works out there then it does and if it doesn’t then it doesn’t.

“I’m not really stressed about that. Millwall have given me the opportunity to do what I have done so far.

“I haven’t really thought about it (his future) at all this season. I like to live in the here and now. I’ve still got the year of security.

“It would be frustrating if I went back to the bench but it is a step up in standards, even if you are getting 20-25 games coming off the bench in the Championship.

“I haven’t really spoken to Millwall, so it will be interesting to see what happens.”

Mitchell can tick off playing at so many levels of the domestic game – the National League, League Two and League One – as well as the Scottish Premiership.

“When I am up here I like to be up here, if you get me, I feel like if you have got one eye on home and one eye here then you are probably not as efficient or good on the pitch,” he said. “This loan has been a bit different. It’s the first time I’ve brought furniture up and stuff like that. Normally I just stay up here and don’t really go back home.

“I remember when I was at Orient, Kenny Jackett used to bang on about  trying not to drive as much as possible – to save the hamstrings. He has got so much experience. You learn things from your loans and that’s one that I’ve taken in.”

Most in-form clubs bemoan a disruption to their rhythm and red-hot Lincoln do not have a fixture this weekend due to the international break.
They resume at home against the O’s on Good Friday hunting a seventh victory in eight matches.

“I think you could always tell that once we clicked that we would be in a good place,” said Mitchell. “We have always had a good defence and it’s easier not to concede goals when you are scoring a lot of them, because teams don’t want to attack as much.

“It’s been decent – 13 unbeaten and only four goals conceded in that time. We have done well to get to this stage but there is no point then bottling the last seven games – these are the ones that we are in a privileged position to achieve something.

“Barnsley away was a bit of a statement, about what we can do.

“We are two points (behind the play-offs) and have got to play Oxford. I don’t think you can get fixated on the table. You have to be aware but concentrating on one game at a time is the best way of looking at it.

“Where we are now is an achievement. I’m enjoying it and I’ve played a lot of games.

“When you grow up in the academy system you kind of live in a bit of a bubble – you don’t realise how privileged you are to play football.

“For some reason when I came here I’ve maybe been reminded of that. I enjoy going into training and being around Lincoln – it is a real privilege to do what I do.”

While Mitchell has been away from Millwall there have been three managerial changes.

It has been an eventful campaign for the South London club and there are still twists and turns to come in their quest to consolidate their position in the Championship.

So how much has Mitchell kept track of life back at the Lions?

“To be honest, not a lot,” he answered. “Obviously you’re aware of the manager situation but I don’t really watch football too much, I don’t really pay too much attention to any football.

“I’m normally too tired! I like a good series – I’ve recently bingewatched The Gentleman on Netflix which was really good – and not been concentrating on the football. I think you can get a bit footballed out. It’s always good to have a bit of a break.

“It has to be light-hearted because I’m normally falling asleep to whatever I watch.”

Mitchell will be switched on where it counts – on the pitch.

PICTURES: PA