Millwall’s season has been divided into two phases, and after the lows of the winter when it appeared that a play-off drive was over, an upturn in form has seen them return to the top six.
The Lions are now four points behind West Bromwich Albion, who hold the final play-off spot despite being in 13th place.
Alex Neil’s team has won consecutive Championship games, eliminating the fear of relegation and paving the way for a play-off finish. Neil formerly led Norwich City.
Millwall had a successful January transfer window, despite losing Romaine Esse to Crystal Palace. The signing of Aaron Connolly from Sunderland is already yielding results.
Connolly praised for early impact at The Den
The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion teenager had only gone to the Stadium of Light in the summer, but he had failed to break into the starting lineup, and a move elsewhere appeared probable.
The departure of Tom Bradshaw to Oxford United provided an opportunity for the Lions to bring in a new striker, and the 25-year-old has proven to be a successful signing thus far.
Football League World asked Millwall Fan Pundit, Lucas Ball, if he thought the decision to bring Connolly to the club was a masterstroke.
He told FLW: “Obviously, he had some issues off the pitch in his personal life, but he seems to have battled back really well. Fair play to him, and hopefully, he carries on the right path.”
“On a short-term basis, I believe it is a risk-free arrangement for us. He had a good season at Hull last year and didn’t quite reach his full potential with Sunderland this season, but he has grit. He enjoys winding people up, and he appears to fit in well at Millwall.
“He will be an annoyance to the opposition on the pitch at times, but he appears to fit in well with us. He seemed to like being a member of the club so far, and he is demonstrating his talent.”
| Aaron Connolly Championship stats 2024/25 (FotMob)* | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (starts) | 14 (4) |
| Minutes played | 519 |
| Goals (assists) | 2 (0) |
| xG | 1.93 |
| Shots (on target) | 12 (7) |
| Chances created | 4 |
| Pass accuracy | 74.2% |
| Touches (in opposition box) | 175 (15) |
| *Stats correct as of 04/02/2025 | |
Lucas stated, “He’s mainly played on the left, but he’s got the ability to do that. He’s looked quite nice at times when he’s cut in from the left-hand side to try and get shots off at goal or come in and work on opportunities in other ways.”
“He won the penalty against Luton, which he then took, and it was a horrible penalty, but he’s been bright all game. He’s eager to be involved, and he’s not afraid to do the hard work on defence.
“As far as I’m aware, he’s only signed until the summer, so if he does continue to do that in the next couple of months, then hopefully, we can tie him down to a longer deal.”
Connolly will want to repay Millwall’s faith more regularly
Connolly has struggled off the pitch in recent years, and he boldly opened up about his battle with alcohol addiction this summer.
After struggling with injuries, he left Brighton to join Hull City.
The forward may benefit from a fresh start at The Den, where there is less pressure due to the club’s lower league position than Sunderland.
He has contributed to Millwall’s return to the play-offs by scoring and assisting. If he can maintain his health, the South London club will undoubtedly have a very lethal finisher on their hands, and he may be one of the season’s best signings.
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