Jake Cooper hoping it is third time lucky for Millwall in Championship play-off chase
BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk
Jake Cooper has been in this play-off position before with Millwall and the towering centre-back is hoping it is going to be third time lucky when they take on title-hopefuls Burnley tomorrow.
The Lions have been on the periphery of the top six with one game to go in the regular season twice since winning promotion back to the Championship in 2017.
They went to Scott Parker’s promoted Bournemouth on the final day of the 2021-22 season needing a win – as well as losses for Luton and Middlesbrough – to break into the top six but suffered a 1-0 defeat as they slipped to ninth place.
Gary Rowett then guided his side into the play-off places the following campaign as they hosted Blackburn at home in the last game. It turned into a mood-crushing afternoon as the Lions threw away a 3-1 half-time lead to lose 4-3 and go from sixth to eighth .
Now fast-forward to the present day and yet another scenario that pits them against a Parker side.
The Lions are seventh but know if they are the first to win at Turf Moor this season then they would definitely have a play-off spot if either Coventry or Bristol City are defeated.
“It was a difficult moment after that Blackburn game,” Cooper told the South London Press. “We’re now again going into the last game with something to play for. We had a similar thing at Bournemouth a few seasons ago, but that was a bit more difficult with the teams around us.
“It’s a one-hit wonder for us to see if we can do something special for this club.
“I don’t think we have been in the play-offs places the whole season, so we can just enjoy the moment of where we’re at and not get carried away.
“Burnley are top of the table for a reason and there is nothing expected of us. We will go there to play with as much confidence and belief as we can.
“You see the clubs going up and down – it seems to be similar teams. But you have seen the likes of Luton accomplish it, so it’s not out of the question for those clubs fighting for the play-off places.
“If you can get in there, you have every chance of winning that promotion.”
Millwall are the only side to have beaten the top three – Burnley, Leeds and Sheffield United – this season.
Cooper scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win at The Den under Neil Harris in November.
“That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” said Cooper when asked if he was hoping for the same at Turf Moor.
“We were the last team to beat them in the league and they have been on some crazy form.
“You couldn’t pick a harder game for us to have to go and win. That’s what is exciting about the Championship. We always feel as though we have a chance. We will take all the confidence we can into that game.
“We know they’re a great side – it’s going to be a great atmosphere. We have to try to find a way to win the game.
“We have had disappointing results against the lower teams, which has let us down, but we have shown we can compete against anyone in this league and that’s what we’ve taken into Saturday.”
The Lions have lost just three of their last 14 games and picked up important wins against Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Watford and Swansea as they have gone from mid-table to the cusp of the top six.
“We knew this run-in would be difficult and we had some big teams to play,” said Cooper. “We knew the home form had to be strong and that’s what has brought us through.
“You’re going to have blips in that period, and to ask us to win seven or eight games in a row was going to be difficult. We had that blip against Blackburn (a 4-1 loss on April 18), but fortunately, we have been able to pick up two massive results at The Den.
“We will do everything we can. Momentum has been carrying us for the last six or seven games. We will see what happens come that final whistle.”
Cooper’s centre-back partner Japhet Tanganga won the club’s Player of the Year at the award’s night last weekend.
The pair have played together 51 times since Tanganga initially arrived on loan midway through last season from Tottenham. The Lions acted quickly to get him signed permanently as a free agent in the summer.
“Japh has been brilliant,” said Cooper, 30. “He has been very appreciated at the club and everyone loves being around him.
“It’s been a pleasure to play alongside him. You can see his qualities with his speed and defensive capabilities.
“Hopefully we can continue our partnership for longer.”
