Millwall striker: Championship is a tougher league to make impact as a substitute

By Richard Cawley

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Tom Elliott has made just five Championship starts this season for Millwall – and reckons part of his battle for fitness is down to adjusting to not being the first name on Neil Harris’ teamsheet.

The 27-year-old has gone from a leading light at AFC Wimbledon to battling it out for minutes with Steve Morison and Lee Gregory – an established and successful partnership for the Lions.

Elliott has had niggling injuries which have ruled him out when there have been windows of opportunity to impress.

And any frustration about that must also be felt by Millwall manager Neil Harris as the big frontman has shown flashes of what he can add.

On Saturday he produced a sweet finish at Elland Road, chesting down Jake Cooper’s header before striking cleanly past Felix Wiedwald to make it 3-3. Elliott is on five goals for the campaign, the same as Gregory.

“Obviously I would like to be on the pitch a lot more and get a few more minutes,” said Elliott. “I’ve gone from being the main man last season to being rotated – so I have to take my chance when I get it. It’s been hard for me to adjust to that.

“I’ve expressed how much I want to play and spoken to the fitness coach. It can be difficult playing 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. It’s not like playing 70 or 90 minutes when your body is always prepared. I’m six-foot-four, a powerhouse and I have to fight centre-halves.

“I’ve realised this season that if I’m not going to be getting the minutes that I want to then I have to spend more time with the fitness coach to make myself prepared for when I do get my chance.

“I wouldn’t blame it on anyone, the gaffer has been fantastic, as have the coaching staff. I have everything I need and it’s about me adapting – in comparison to League One the football is so much quicker.

“The higher up you go, teams have more money. They are able to rotate. I never thought I would come here and just be the main man. I knew I was going to have to bide my time and learn from Morison and Greggsy and take my time. I’m not taking it as a negative, it’s been a great time for me. My goal return shows that I’m ready to take my chance when the gaffer chooses me.

“I would be buzzing to get into double figures this season – because I haven’t even got that in starts yet. I would take that as a good season.

“If I’m going to play 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there in League One it might be easier; but in the Championship you have to be at it every single game. My last game against Wolves was a highintensity game and when I came on against Leeds, even though they had 10 men, it was 100 miles an hour.

“I’ve always been a good professional and worked hard in the gym because I’ve always loved that side of it. Being at a new club means they need to get used to my body and me as a player. It has been a learning curve.

“I’m coming back from injury and need to get my fitness up and get going again.

“I’ve spoken to the gaffer and the fitness coach – I’m happy with the plan going forward.”

Last weekend’s 4-3 win over Leeds was a strong contender for Championship game of the season.

Elliott covered his mouth as he ran off after playing his role in the late fightback against his former club which sparked delirium in the away end.

He was reluctant to explain his reaction when the South London Press spoke to him on Tuesday.

“The celebration says that I’m not going to say anything – so I’m not going to say anything,” said Elliott. “Atmosphere-wise, it was one of the best games I have played in.

“We’re a good group and we dug deep enough to get the three points. The gaffer still wasn’t happy because we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.

“There was a sense that we did it in the end but we didn’t need to make it so hard.

“It’s happened before at Derby, we conceded three in around 10 minutes. We have to get it out of our system and learn from it. It’s important to get it out of your system, be a bit more resilient and shut up shop.”

Elliott has scored in the league and EFL Cup for Millwall, he just needs an FA Cup goal to notch in every single tournament the club play in. He is likely to start tomorrow’s home game against Rochdale as he searches for the full set.

“I’ve been training well this week and I hope the gaffer gives me the chance,” he said. “We need to go into it knowing about defeats that have happened to the favourites.

“It’s at the Den, so we will take the game to them. I love the FA Cup – we had a few good games at AFC Wimbledon last season and I know the boys here had a really good run last season, so they’re buzzing as well. I’m excited.

“I’m an Arsenal fan – but they’re out now. I would love to go to Anfield. Getting past Rochdale is the main thing.”