“Absolute Priority” – Millwall Boss Makes Admission Over Transfer Targets

Millwall manager Neil Harris has admitted he is eager to add more creativity to his squad before the Championship season starts in less than two weeks.

Macauley Langstaff and Japhet Tanganga are the only outfield signings to come through the door at The Den so far during the summer transfer window and there has been nothing much in the way of rumours linking the London club to further incomings.

The Lions continued their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over third-tier Spanish side Real Murcia on Friday. It was their first victory of the summer following a 0-0 draw to Harris’ former club Gillingham and a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in previous weeks.

Harris named an exciting line-up for the game, with strikers Tom Bradshaw and new signing Langstaff starting together for the first time. Bradshaw opened his pre-season account to give his side the lead in the first half before young striker Tom Leahy won the game late on.

Chance creation, however, has been at a premium for Harris’ side in recent games and the former Cambridge United boss has emphasised he would like attacking reinforcements sooner rather than later.

Speaking to South London News he said:  “We’re fully aware of that and it is an absolute priority that we need to add to the top end of the pitch quickly. And it has to be quickly because the season starts Saturday week. Tom Bradshaw is fitter than he was last year. Kevin Nisbet is getting fitter but still has some way to go for peak fitness. Macaulay Langstaff has got real pedigree – his rate of goalscoring is phenomenal at the lower levels – but he may need some time.

“Ultimately we are maybe a player short in that area. We know we need to add and timing is vital – because we need to have various options at the top end of the pitch because it is a long season and we go straight into a three-game week in the first week of the season.

“Yes, awaiting with anticipation and excitement as to who comes in. That is a priority for the football club at the moment.”

Writer’s View

Millwall have shown already this summer they are not afraid to spend when it is the right player for them. Six-figure sums for both Langstaff from Notts County and goalkeeper Lukas Jensen from Lincoln City show Harris has financial backing from the board. Therefore, it is slightly surprising they have not progressed any further deals while clearly lacking numbers going forward, especially in the attacking midfield position.

Ryan Longman and Michael Obafemi departing after the expiration of their loans has only highlighted further the holes in this Millwall squad and unless new recruits come in before their opener against Watford on August 10^th, it is hard to see them finishing any higher than last season’s 13^th place. Only time will tell but currently, it seems there are far more reasons to be concerned than optimistic for Lions supporters as they commence their eighth successive season in the second tier.