Millwall attacker: I’m in a lot better place than last time by contract was running down

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Duncan Watmore has admitted that his long-term Millwall future is still up in the air – but knows he is in a stronger position than when he was last inside the final year of his contract.

The 30-year-old winger, who is set to face his former club Sunderland at The Den tomorrow, is due to be a free agent at the end of June.

Watmore joined Millwall from Middlesbrough in January 2023.

He only had around six months on his terms with the Teessiders before securing a longer agreement with the Lions.

The former England U21 international scored five goals in the opening eight matches of the campaign and he was nominated for Championship Player of the Month in August, missing out to Oxford striker Mark Harris.

Asked about his contract situation, Watmore told the South London Press: “I’m really enjoying it and I really like it here. None of that (the scheduling of talks) is to do with me. I don’t have a say with any of that stuff.

“Who knows what will happen? I know the nature of football and things change very quickly. You learn to live with uncertainty.

“I’m always aware of that but, from my perspective, I love Millwall and all the lads and staff. I’m really enjoying it.”

Watmore has made 66 appearances for Millwall and netted 13 times.

“It’s a better scenario than when I left Sunderland with all my injuries,” he said. “I had six months without a club – I got close to retirement with all my injuries.

“I have always seen anything after that as a bit of a bonus. I’m glad I’m still playing and having a career in the game.

“I never get too down about it. I just enjoy now and I am grateful for now.”

Watmore has gone seven games without registering on the scoresheet but says he will not celebrate if he ends that wait against the Black Cats.

He was playing non-league football for Altrincham Altrincham in 2013 when Sunderland  paid an undisclosed fee.

Asked if he wanted the Wearsiders to regain top-flight status this season – after relegation from the Premier League in 2017 -Watmore replied:

“Sunderland were brilliant with me and I am so grateful for them. They took me from non-league, so I owe them a lot.

“I have lots of people I know up there and lots of friends – it’s a brilliant club.

“I have to be honest, I’m just purely focused on Millwall and helping us do as best as we can.

“They have had an amazing start. They’re top of the table, so it’s quite an achievement.

“No (he won’t celebrate scoring). You can never say never because of the moment with the adrenaline. I personally wouldn’t out of choice, it’s just showing a bit of respect.”

Watmore is top of Millwall’s scoring charts despite his recent lean spell. He already has one more goal than he managed in the entire 2023-24 campaign.

Watmore has not had big chances fall his way too often in recent weeks.

“That’s just the way it happens sometimes,” he said. “In the first few games I had a lot of chances and thankfully took them.

“Sometimes you know you’ll get a lot of chances.

“If you do what is required of the team, whether that is defending, positional play or running off the ball, although it’s not the most rewarding statistically, if it helps the team get the win, I’m happy to do it.

“So is everybody in this group and that’s why you have seen such collective team performances – everyone puts the team first.

“Sometimes you can be playing really well but not look good statistically. Other times you might not play well but statistically, in terms of goals and assists, it looks good.

“You go through periods where everything falls for you and then you don’t get a chance. That’s what I said when they were going in. That’s just the nature of the game and I have been around long enough to know that.”

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