Leeds loanees in: With everyone fully fit, is this Millwall’s strongest XI? | OneFootball

Millwall head into the international break with a bit of positivity after their much-needed victory over Blackpool on Saturday.

It’s not been plain sailing for Gary Rowett’s side this season, with boos ringing out at The Den at times in the early weeks of the new campaign, but they’re just two points back from the Championship‘s top six after 10 games – an impressive place to be given they lost talisman Jed Wallace in the summer.

After going close in recent seasons, the Lions have aspirations of making the play-offs in 2022/23 and their summer transfer business was evidence that the club chiefs believe Rowett can take them there.

The Millwall boss will have learnt a lot about his squad in the opening weeks of the season and so have we but is this their strongest XI when everyone is fit?

Bart Bialkowski’s place is as uncertain as it has been since he arrived at Millwall, with George Long getting the nod in Saturday’s victory, but he still makes our XI.

The Polish shot-stopper’s distribution may sometimes be a little suspect but he is a consistent Championship performer and has earned the Lions plenty of points in recent years.

Ahead of him, Murray Wallace has made the left centre-back position his own over the past 12 months or so and was deservedly named Player of the Season for 2021/22.

Captain Shaun Hutchinson is the obvious option in the middle of the back three for his qualities as a defender and a leader but, perhaps controversially, we’ve opted for Leeds United loanee Charlie Cresswell over Jake Cooper.

This term, Cooper has struggled to reach the levels he’s shown for Millwall in the past while Cresswell looks like a bright talent and a player hungry to impress.

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While Scott Malone was brilliant against Blackpool, summer arrival Callum Styles is far too talented not to secure the left wing-back role while local boy Danny McNamara is our pick on the right.

Leeds loanee Jamie Shackleton has been used as a wing-back in recent weeks but his best position is in central midfield and he forms a pair with Billy Mitchell, who has rediscovered his confidence in recent weeks and is flourishing as a result.

George Honeyman has not quite reached the levels he did at Hull City or Sunderland but the playmaker is a proven quantity in the EFL and provides some vital creativity.

Rowett has switched things up a lot when it comes to his forward line this term but Benik Afobe bagged his second of the season with a comprehensive finish on Saturday and is the best number nine at the club.

Millwall supporters are excited about record signing Zian Flemming and for good reason. Rowett waxed lyrical about the 24-year-old and the magic he’s shown in training after the Blackpool game – we’re finally starting to see that quality on the pitch.