‘More to come from me in a Millwall shirt’ – Lions versatile midfielder hopes third Den season will continue career pattern

George Honeyman believes he gets better the longer he stays at football clubs – and hopes that trend continues as he enters his third season at Millwall.

Honeyman spent the entirety of his senior career at Hull and Sunderland, along with a short stint at Gateshead as a youngster, before moving down south for the first time to Millwall.

The 29-year-old joined the Lions on a three-year deal in June 2022 and has featured 72 times in a multitude of positions during his time at The Den.

“It has been two very contrasting seasons,” Honeyman told the South London Press.

“In spite of maybe the club’s results, I felt that I had a decent patch of form midway last year.

“I feel as though I have more to come from me in a Millwall shirt.

“I’m very happy here and the fans have been amazing to me and my family.

“Anyone who can feel that self-worth at a football club will perform better.

“I get that feeling from the fans. They make me feel worthwhile and respect me.

“That’s when you’ll produce your best.

“At my previous clubs, the longer I have stayed, the better I have got. I hope that’s another indication for this year.

“I haven’t been disappointed with how I have performed or how the team has. We would have liked a better team finish last year.

“I’m pleased to an extent, but there is still a lot more to come.

“There is more life in my Millwall career to give, and hopefully, we can push myself and the club on to that little bit extra.”

When Neil Harris returned to the Lions in late February, the versatile attacker played predominantly in a wide position on either side of a midfield four.

Honeyman’s career has seen him turn out nearly 200 times as an attacking midfielder.

“Me and the manager have spoken about it quite a lot,” explained Honeyman.

“I have told him that I think I’m better through the middle of the park, whether that’s as a number 10 or a centre midfielder.

“The manager has said to me that he likes how versatile I am and, to be realistic, that I’m probably going to play a number of positions again this year.

“I would much rather that than play 20 games in a certain position and then miss 20 games.

“Anything to get me out on the pitch. The goal, for me personally, is very much to be a part of a successful and winning team.

“If that means me playing out wide brings that, then so be it.

“I’m more than happy to do that.”
The Prudhoe-born player has picked up 27 goals and 31 assists as an attacking midfielder but only recorded two assists last year for the Lions in the wide role.

“Selfishly, I think I’m better when I’m more involved and can get around the ball,” he added.

“Even defensively, I think I can make a bigger impact. When you’re out wide, it’s inevitable that the game might drift down the other side and you might not be involved for the next 10 to 15 minutes.

“I’m best when I’m in and amongst it to be in the mixer.

“One of my strengths is that I have got pretty good stamina. I like to think I can always be moving and get to things to make angles and runs.

“I can bring that out wide as well, it’s just a bit of a different discipline. I am fortunate enough to have been trusted in a lot of positions.

“If I’m contributing to a winning team at this stage of my career, that’s all I want.”

Honeyman started Millwall’s first pre-season outing in front of fans last Saturday – a goalless draw with League Two side Gillingham.

He made it through 63 minutes before being replaced by Sha’mar Lawson.

The last time Honeyman stepped onto a pitch at the Priestfield Stadium last year, he was forced off after 20 minutes into Millwall’s pre-season outing with a thigh injury, which kept him out until October.

“I’m feeling good,” said Honeyman, reflecting on his start to the new campaign.

“It’s hard for me not to draw comparisons on the last pre-season when I only made it through one and a bit games and then was out for a good while.

“I like to think of myself as one up on last year, individually anyway.

“We’re going to have a slightly longer pre-season because that’s how the schedule has worked.

“We have lots of games coming up. It’s nice being back with the lads and seeing everyone. It’s been a good camp so far

“I was very conscious not to extend myself so far that my body just breaks a little bit.

“I’m feeling really good. Long may it continue.”