Millwall boss Alex Neil has backed new signing Barry Bannan to supply the “additional little bit of high quality” his aspect will want if they’re to earn a long-awaited return to the highest flight for the primary time since 1990.
A 4-0 thumping of south London rivals Charlton Athletic final Saturday means the Lions sit fifth within the Championship, six factors off the highest two with 17 regular-season fixtures remaining, and haven’t had a greater likelihood at gatecrashing the Premier League since reaching the Division One play-off semi-finals in 2001-02.
Neil has now brought in 36-year-old Bannan from Sheffield Wednesday, after the midfielder spent greater than 10 years at Hillsborough – 5 and a half of which he was membership captain – to assist enhance his aspect’s promotion credentials.
Added to his established expertise and management qualities, Neil is assured that fellow Scotsman Bannan’s technical capacity will change into a right away benefit to his aspect too.
“Clearly, it has been properly documented for some time now so it is good to get it over the road,” Neil instructed BBC Radio London.
“Hopefully it offers us an additional little bit of high quality, expertise, a little bit of knowhow for the run-in. [It’s] a very good little bit of enterprise.
“Something that may are available in and assist us attempt to obtain one thing, I feel is greater than welcome. I feel Barry’s expertise and that little little bit of high quality he is acquired on the sting of the field together with his left foot – selecting passes, at set-plays and objectives – goes to be useful for us.”
Bannan is anticipated to make his Millwall debut towards former foes Sheffield United at The Den on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
Neil went on to reject any suggestion that Bannan’s long-standing affiliation with beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday, who he’ll return to as a Millwall participant on Saturday, 14 February, means he arrives with out full give attention to his new environment following his switch.
“If he did not need to make the transfer, he would not be right here,” Neil added.
“Loads has been manufactured from Sheffield Wednesday, and I get it, but when I am being trustworthy my focus is on what Barry does for us from this level onwards.
“We’re as a horny prospect as we have ever been. We’re filling out The Den. Our final sport was the most important attendance we have had [this season] and the second greatest ever.
“So, we’re in a very good place as a membership. We have an awesome and an formidable proprietor and the lads are doing properly, so there’s nothing to not like.”
