‘It’s easier said than done’ – Millwall centre-back Jake Cooper on Championship play-off challenge and two milestones on the horizon

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Jake Cooper is relishing Millwall’s Good Friday assignment against Luton Town at The Den – knowing positive results over the Easter weekend will help them crack on with landing a Championship play-off position.

The Lions are fifth in the table and have a four-point advantage over seventh-placed Norwich City.

Next up is a Sky Sports-televised lunchtime kick-off as Millwall take on a Luton side just above them.

There could easily end up being a further two fixtures between the two clubs with the prize of a showpiece Wembley play-off final at stake.

But Cooper, just five games shy of 300 in England’s second tier, is not thinking about the prospects of another trip to the national stadium. He was an unused substitute when Neil Harris’ side beat Bradford in 2017 to secure promotion out of League One.

The fact that Millwall have been in the promotion picture for virtually the whole campaign surely means they have to get the job done and claim a Championship play-off spot for the first time in 21 years at this level?

“It’s easier said than done,” responded Cooper, who needs seven more appearances to bring up 300 matches for the Lions. “There are some good teams left around us who have got games in hand.

“It might be looking nice and rosy at the moment but there are going to be some twists and turns, for sure, in this run-in.

“We play two of the top six and we play two of the bottom three. Tough games. And you also never want to be playing those teams who aren’t really playing for too much and are more relaxed. They can play with freedom and it often makes those matches difficult.

“Easter weekend is going to be massive. We play a top team in Luton and then we are away at Hull, who have been going well. Fingers crossed we can find our way in there.”

Millwall announced on Wednesday that today’s match is a sellout.

“The noise from the fans is only going to increase the closer we get to the end,” said Cooper. “Each time we are going to need them more and more.

“Our home form hasn’t been as good as what is expected of a Millwall team of the recent past. We need to improve on that.

“Teams are going to come and make it difficult for us there, knowing we’re a good side who are up there in the division.

“We’re going to need the fans to be patient and really help us along in every game we have left.”

Cooper and centre-back partner Charlie Cresswell both had more than 100 touches of the ball in the last fixture in SE16, a 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town.

The pair regularly stepped into the Terriers’ half as they looked to open up bunkered down opponents.

“Huddersfield were unique,” said Cooper. “They played man-for-man, with only one player on me or Cressy. Everyone else was marked.

“That’s why me and Cressy had all the touches. We couldn’t break them down.

“Luton will be the opposite. We know what they bring. They are high-energy and have two top, top strikers in this division.

“They have lost the second fewest games to Burnley and are right up there with their defensive record as well.

“The game at their place (a 2-2 draw) was really tough. It’s going to be difficult but we’re excited to be at home – hopefully we can step on to them a bit more and play a bit more attacking than we did at their place, cause them a few more issues.”

Millwall’s settled defence is set for an enforced change after Charlie Cresswell suffered a fractured eye socket at The Hawthorns.

The Leeds United loanee came off worse in an aerial challenge with Baggies striker Daryl Dike and had to be subbed off in stoppage time.

Sunderland’s Paddy McNair also suffered facial damage in February with the same West Brom player the culprit.

“Dike caught Cressy with an elbow, which is a little bit naughty,” said Cooper. “He’s got history with injuring players in this league, unfortunately.

“It’s just a shame for him. Hopefully he can get the right treatment and get back to us in good shape as quickly as possible.

“He has been really good for us and he’ll be missed going forward.

“It’s shoes then for Hutchy (Shaun Hutchinson) to come and fill. If Cressy doesn’t get back in time then Hutchy is there to step up. He’s missed a lot of football recently, so it will be good for him to get back out there.

“He’s a big, big part of our squad. It will be down to him to step up and come and perform.”
Cooper, 28, has been a mainstay of Millwall’s team since he made a permanent move from Reading in 2017.

He had played every minute in a run of 136 matches before dislocating his shoulder in December 2020.

“I was annoyed, in a way, but I knew it would come to an end at some point,” said Cooper.

“I wasn’t going to keep play every minute of every game – especially with how cruel the Championship is.

“It then became about my performances again, instead of trying to rack up as many games as I could. It was probably a good thing in my long-term performances at the end of last season and this season – they have been much better, I believe.

“I’ve been really fortunate with injuries and that managers have picked me most of the time.

“I pride myself on getting out there each game, it’s a big part of why I have got the numbers up so quickly – staying out of the injury room. Mentality is a big thing as well. I don’t really worry about injuries and niggles – some people pick up on pain more than what I do.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS, KEITH GILLARD AND PA