Joe Bryan has embraced mentor role since signing for Millwall – and backs prospect for big future

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Joe Bryan sees himself as a mentor for the youngsters in the Millwall squad and has tipped recently loaned out Niino Adom-Malaki for a big future in the game.

Bryan, 30, has 388 appearances in senior football to his name and scored a brace for Fulham in their 2019-20 Championship play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley.

He joined the Lions in the summer as a free agent following his release by the west Londoners.

Fellow left-back Adom-Malaki, inset, has progressed through Millwall’s academy and joined League Two Sutton United last week.

“He’s an incredibly talented footballer,” Bryan told the South London Press. “He just needs some league football and appearances under his belt.

“I said to him throughout the majority of the first half of the season that he needed to be patient and wait for his chance and when he gets it, whether that be at Millwall or out on loan in January, that he was ready because he has got a big future in the game.

“He’s very technically gifted – he’s big, strong and quick. He has a very level head on his shoulders and he now just needs to go and show that he’s ready.

“I see myself as a little bit of a mentor for the younger lads, whether it be on small coaching points or in general life aspects if they’re going through things off the pitch.

“I try and talk with them about things that could be bothering them, or I try and wind them up a little bit – I give them a little bit of a slap if they need it. I want to be more of a senior player.

“It’s a role I have never really experienced before but I am 30 now and I have played nearly 400 games, I can lend experience to young players – those who are playing in that first season or first 100 games.”

Millwall head into tomorrow’s Championship clash with Preston on the back of a three-game losing run in all competitions, the latest reverse coming at QPR on Saturday.

The R’s first goal came down Bryan’s side, with Chris Willock beating the former Bristol City player to cross for Ilias Chair to score past Matija Sarkic.

“It’s tough when you’re playing against a winger who is comfortable crossing with both feet,” admitted Bryan. “You decide to cover one foot. I tend to get myself into a position with a winger like that who can go down the line where I can block the cross with my right foot.

“If he cuts it back down the line and swings it back in with his left foot, it’s quite difficult to block that one. I can block the cross, probably, but we have to be able to defend crosses from both sides.

“It’s something we will be working on because we have conceded a few goals from crosses of late.”

The Lions have picked up 15 points in Edwards’ first 13 Championship games in charge.

They have previously gone winless in seven matches but also picked up three impressive wins in a row over the festive period which propelled them away from the relegation zone.

“It comes with the nature of the league,” said Bryan. “We played so many games across Christmas. There was a big fixture congestion and we have had a few injuries.

“There hasn’t been a drastic change in the way we’re playing, but slowly, things are changing in the way that we’re playing and the way we set up.

“It’s natural to be up and down as a squad. This team is going through a transition period. That’s not something to hide behind and say: ‘That’s why we lost a couple of games.’

“When we lose, we’re clearly not good enough. We’re not happy when we play well and lose because we want to win. But perspective is needed when you lose. It’s not the end of the world. One thing I’m big on is that when you win, you’re not 2008 Barcelona, and when you lose, you’re not the worst team in the world.

“We still have a hell of a long way to go this season and I’m confident we will get to where we want to be.”

PICTURES: PA AND BRIAN TONKS