Jayson Molumby: It’s hard not to peek at Championship league table – Brighton loanee enjoying Christmas challenge

BY ALEX GRACE

Jayson Molumby has admitted that it is difficult not to look at the Championship league table – with Millwall going into 2020 just two points outside the top six.

The Lions kick off against Luton at 12.45pm on New Year’s Day and will enter the play-off places with victory over the Hatters ahead of the 3pm kick offs.

“It’s hard not to look at the table at times but we’re not looking too far ahead,” said Molumby. “Every game we need to pick up points from no matter who it is.

“Luton will be tough, they’re scrapping to pick up points and we need to be ready for that. We just need to play the way we played [Sunday] with that intensity all over the pitch. ”

The on-loan Brighton star is  enjoying his first full season at senior level with the Christmas schedule a test of his fitness levels.

“The first few games in the Championship I was struggling a bit, I felt the intensity was a lot. My body’s adapted now and got used to it.

“Doing the right things and recovering is important, making sure you’re right for the next game. Physically it’s been tough, mentally tough as well. I’m getting through it and I felt good [on Sunday].

“It was different [being away from home over Christmas], but I’d rather be playing football at a really good level in the Championshi. I spent Christmas with my missus’ family down in Brighton.

Molumby created the Millwall winner on Sunday as he slid in to tackle Brentford keeper David Raya, Aiden O’Brien slotting home the loose ball.

“I knew as soon as the centre-back played it to the midfielder he was going to bounce it back and from there I just went and closed down,” he said. “The gaffer said before the game for the first 10, 15, 20 minutes to press the lives out of them. All around the pitch we were doing that, we were in their faces and making it difficult for them.

Molumby praised the Millwall home support for their part in the victory over the Bees.

“The first 10 to 15 minutes if it wasn’t going their [Brentford’s] way they’d make mistakes and the crowd would get on top of them. For 20 minutes in the second half they were absolutely incredible.

“They play a huge part to get us through games at times. When they’re on opposition teams they’re motivating us. It’s a real tough place to come, especially when the fans are like that. It comes from the front three pressing so well and the entire team pressing so well. Me and Willo [Shaun Williams] were there to pick up the pieces and get us playing.”