Millwall boss provides explanation for midfielder’s long first-team run coming to an end

Gary Rowett is hoping that his decision to drop Billy Mitchell will help the Millwall midfielder recharge his batteries after an extended run in the first-team.

The 21-year-old has started the last 31 matches for the Lions but was an unused sub at Birmingham City last weekend.

Academy product Mitchell has featured 43 times this season and has 70 senior career appearances for his boyhood club.

Rowett said: “The biggest testament I can give to Billy is that he started those 31 games because, firstly, he has played as well as anyone in those positions – so he deserves it. Forget he is a young Millwall player who we want to help to improve. He has deserved it on his performances, day in and day out.

“He has kept quite a few senior, more experienced players out who will be disappointed they haven’t played more often. But Billy’s performances have warranted it. He’s been, at times, our most consistent player in that area.

“He’s improved as the season has gone on. There have been games where he’s grabbed them by the scruff of the neck – particularly at The Den in the second half of matches – and been very influential. He’s showed a lot of character to try and do that as a young player.

“I just felt one or two of his away performances, I think I alluded to it a week or two ago, that he dropped off a tiny bit physically. And when you play so many games in a row then sometimes, as a manager, you feel you have to do something to help. While Billy wouldn’t want that, the fans wouldn’t want that – for me it was the right thing to do.

“Hopefully what that will do now is give him the opportunity, should he be picked for Saturday, that he will come in a little bit more refreshed and with the bit between his teeth. If he gets that opportunity then hopefully I has done the trick. I didn’t want his performances to suffer because of fatigue, it was a way of just freshening it up a bit.

“He understands it is part of the process he has to go through as a young player.”