Millwall find themselves in a brilliant position to nail a play-off spot, with the Lions sitting 5th in the table – unbeaten in their last four games.
Gary Rowett’s side were left disappointed on Tuesday night as they surrendered a two goal lead away at play-off rivals Luton Town to draw 2-2.
Millwall beat 2nd placed Sheffield United before drawing against runaway leaders Burnley in this unbeaten run. They will face another tough test on the weekend against Norwich City, who are just two points behind them.
With the Lions enjoying yet another campaign at the top half of the table, Rowett will be looking to the summer to get his side finely tuned ahead of next season. Here, we list two positions that Millwall need to desperately bolster in the summer…
Centre-back
Jake Cooper and Shaun Hutchinson have become unwavering figures at the heart of the Lions’ defence in recent years, but depth will be key to sustaining any play-off bid with Hutchinson suffering a stop-start campaign so far, playing just 18 of a possible 34 league games.
Currently back-up beyond the pair is Leeds United loanee Charlie Cresswell but with his stint at the club set to finish in the summer, centre-back cover is almost none existent beyond Murray Wallace, who is the Lions’ first-choice left-back.
With Millwall tiptoeing around their centre-half cover so far this season, all it takes is a suspension or niggling injury to derail their promising position, something that Rowett will be desperate to make sure isn’t a concern next season.
Right-back
The predicament at right-back is extremely similar to that at centre-back for Rowett with Danny McNamara’s position in the side short of cover.
Although the 24-year-old has been nailed on in the side, completing 13 consecutive 90 minute performances, he’s the only player to have been deployed at right-back with loanee Jamie Shackleton used as a right-wing back earlier on in the season.
McNamara was the focus of strong interest from QPR in the summer but the Sidcup-born defender penned a long-term deal in South London instead. That didn’t stop winter links with Fulham though as sides start to take note of his qualities.
With his place as Millwall’s right-back assured, Rowett needs to make sure he has ample cover for McNamara with Shackleton set to depart at the end of the season.
