Millwall boss reckons attacker “really went under the radar” last season after goal return in Championship opener

Neil Harris reckons Duncan Watmore’s importance to Millwall in their last Championship campaign “really went under the radar” after the former Middlesbrough and Sunderland attacker’s double in last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Watford.

Watmore produced two excellent finishes against the Hornets.

The 30-year-old, who is in the final year of his Den deal, has netted 10 times in 53 appearances for the Lions and collected three assists.

Watmore chipped in with important goals after Harris returned as head coach in February – netting in wins over Cardiff and Sunderland as well as a 1-1 draw against West Brom.

“Duncan has been exceptional in pre-season,” Harris told the South London Press. “I thought he really went under the radar last season, during me time, in his ability to give us something different – to give us that spark.

“He gave us a bit of class, a bit of composure and quality in the final third. He has got a goalscoring moment in him.

“I like my wide players to be able to get into the penalty area and not just be creative but score a goal as well.

“It’s important we have a goal threat from a wide area in our team. My teams have had that in the past with Jed (Wallace) and Aiden (O’Brien) in particular at Millwall, someone like Harry Wilson at Cardiff.

“Me and Duncan have spoken a lot over the summer about individual targets for him, trying to set targets to complete a certain amount of games, sub appearances and goals. That is just something between me and Dunc to try and plan for the season.

“He’s going to be an important player for us but also really respectful to trying to keep him fit and managing to get the best out of him for as long as we can this season.”