‘You’re going to get left behind’ – Millwall defender on Championship teams becoming more possession focused

Shaun Hutchinson reckons the number of sides looking to have greater control of the ball in the Championship is on the rise.

The Lions are in a period of transition following the November appointment of Joe Edwards as head coach.

Predecessor Gary Rowett had the South Londoners challenging for the play-off places in recent seasons but relied largely on the physical prowess and aerial dominance of his playing personnel.

Millwall are 19th for possession in England’s second tier in the current campaign, with the expectation of moving up that particular chart as Edwards gets more embedded in SE16.

Hutchinson told the South London Press: “More teams across the league are adapting to being more possession-based – it’s the most I’ve ever seen that in the Championship.

“It’s probably because you are seeing that more at the top level. Usually what happens at that top level one or two years ago then filters down into the Champ and then down again.

“People have probably realised if you don’t play that way now and adapt then you’re going to get left behind.

“I’d imagine that is part of the reason why we’ve chosen to go with this gaffer. It’s changing with the times – because you’re just not seeing teams be more direct anymore.

“It is a lot more possession-based and playing out from the keeper.

“We have all very much bought into it and we’re giving it our best shot. We’re trying to change what we’re doing but also win at the same time. Unfortunately we’re just falling short results wise at the moment but it’s important we stick to the philosophies and also stick together.

“We need to work hard on the training pitch to correct that and then we’ll start picking the wins up.

“I wouldn’t say the changes that have been made have been anything major. The gaffer has made that clear since he came in, that he’s not here to make drastic changes.

“There were lots of things we were doing fine. It’s just over the past few years that we probably haven’t had too much control in games. For example if we went a goal up then we’d be hanging on, or if it was 0-0 then we’d fall a bit short and maybe be a bit sloppy.

“It’s about us being a bit more confident and having a bit more purpose in the passing, rather than just passing for the sake of it.

“The gaffer’s made it very clear that we’re not just here to pass it between the keeper and the centre-back, which I know a lot of teams are doing just now.

“It’s about having that bit of control but also playing through the lines quickly to open up teams with fast and aggressive passing.”

Hutchinson clocked up his 250th appearance for Millwall in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Cardiff City.

The 33-year-old signed for the Lions in June 2016 after being let go by Fulham.

“I was made aware of that milestone before the game,” said the Millwall captain. “As much as it is nice, it isn’t really something you’re thinking about when you concede a set-play and get nothing from the game – because that is what matters.

“I’m sure it will be something, when I do finish my time with Millwall, that I look back on proudly, but it is shaded a bit by the current run of results.”

Hutchinson missed nearly three months with a hamstring injury suffered at Birmingham.

“In pre-season I felt pretty good,” said Hutchinson. “I was playing well but, as you’ve seen over the past couple of seasons, little niggles here and there have really set me back just when I was getting in the swing of things.

“I’m not playing the amount of games that I want to but the main thing I’m staying focused on now is keeping fit and trying to get back to the levels that I want to be.

“We’ve got a really competitive squad and a lot of players in my position who are available. It is a fight for everyone to get in the team and I’m no different.”