Pundit thinks Millwall have signed player who can 'dictate' in the Championship

Millwall have been told they made a ‘good signing’ in the final throws of the summer transfer window. The Lions are off to a mixed start this season, winning two and losing two in their first four games.

Interestingly, the two wins have come away from home, and the two defeats at The Den. Home form will be key to any promotion run, and Alex Neil will want to see some real improvements after the ongoing international break.

Deadline day business will help, and it’s hoped Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone will be a difference-maker after the Ireland international signed on a season-long loan deal from Southampton.

Neil said at the time of the signing: “The lads who've played in that area have done really well, but with a couple of injuries in midfield, we knew we needed to bring someone in to strengthen that area. Will is a current Republic of Ireland international who has played in both the Premier League and The Championship. He's strong, technically good, gets around the pitch and offers that box-to-box presence we were looking for. He ticks a lot of boxes.

"He's actually someone we didn't think would be available, but we stayed patient and were able to bring him in on deadline day. We're really pleased to have him with us."

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has now been speaking about Millwall’s signing of Smallbone, and he is impressed with the capture. “Will Smallbone. I think he's in a similar situation where he's probably not got the gametime (at Southampton)," Hendrie told Football League World. "I actually thought he'd kick on. He's had a loan spell (at Stoke) where I've liked what I've seen.

“Obviously, he's not fitting into the plans at Southampton. That's why other clubs have looked at him. You do feel that him going to Millwall, I wouldn't say he's a 'Millwall-style player', but you can see they're trying to change the style of play a bit more by bringing him in. He's someone who can get on the ball and dictate the game from midfield. A good signing for Millwall, there's no doubt, particularly when the likes of Blues and Wrexham were sniffing around him,

Smallbone has previously been an important player for Southampton, but he fell out of favour last season while dealing with injury issues that derailed his efforts in the Premier League. He will now look to spark his career back to life with the Lions, and he still has plenty of time to rediscover his best form, still only 25 years of age.

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