Striker’s position in pecking order at Millwall helped sell a summer transfer to The Den

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall finally landed Matt Smith in the summer as they made it clear he would be one of their top strikers.

The Lions completed a deal for the QPR frontman before the Championship campaign got underway.

And Millwall’s first attempt to sign Smith pre-dated manager Neil Harris and head of recruitment Alex Aldridge being in their current roles.

Both men have been at The Den for more than four years.

Aldridge said: “We looked at signing Matt last summer and in January. QPR weren’t interested. I can see why – what a great option to have in the squad.

“But Matt’s frustration probably came from that. He didn’t want to be someone’s plan B or plan C – he wanted to be somewhere he had the opportunity to earn the right to be plan A, one of the main forwards.

“We were clear we wanted Matt in our mix of forwards. There are so many of his strengths we can play to. His goal record for QPR in relation to minutes on the pitch has always been excellent.

“With his aerial ability and aggression to get on crosses, with the delivery we’ve got in wide areas that tied in with bringing in Connor Mahoney. We thought we might have some really exciting ingredients for a Millwall attack.

“Matt was absolutely delighted to get here because he knows how long we have wanted him.”

Read an in-depth interview with Alex Aldridge on our website here:

https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/millwall-head-of-recruitment-alex-aldridge-explains-how-cautious-approach-to-championship-spending-this-summer-had-knock-on-effect-for-lions/