LIONS SKIPPER TAKES A LEAF OUT OF UNITED LEGEND’S BOOK
SHAUN HUTCHINSON is turning into Millwall’s version of Manchester United legend Steve Bruce, scoring vital goals as the Lions close in on a promotion play-off place.
Defender Hutchinson’s fifth of the season (right) shattered Preston’s ambitions of moving into third place and had Millwall boss Gary Rowett insisting no one should rule out his side having a say in the final promotion shake-up.
Like Bruce, central defender Hutchinson started his footballing life at Wallsend Boys Club, a North East talent factory which has helped shape the careers of the likes of Alan Shearer, Michael Carrick and Peter Beardsley.
And Bruce, like Hutchinson, wasn’t slow to appear in the opponent’s penalty area, notching crucial goals at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson.
Hutchinson, 29, who has arrived at The Den via Motherwell and Fulham, smiled at the Bruce comparison but admitted: “I don’t normally set myself a goals target but the gaffer gives you the freedom to get up the field and express yourself.
“Coming from Wallsend Boys Club has put me in good stead. There are a lot of good people connected to the club.”
Rowett’s switch to three at the back means one of the defenders has licence to be more adventurous.
“If you feel as a centre-back you want to go forward he’s got no problem with that,” added Hutchinson. “If I can keep scoring then I’ll be buzzing.”
Rowett believes the victory against a side managed by Alex Neil, who he rates highly, is a real confidence booster.
“Our aim is to stay in the (promotion) mix because we’ve worked hard to get here,” said Rowett. “I like the way we are developing as a team. We are also now giving our fans some decent away days.”
And Hutchinson added: “The gaffer demands a lot from us as players. If we don’t give him what he wants he isn’t afraid to tell us.
“We should have put more chances away because if they had nicked a goal at the end it would have been a disaster for us the way we played. We have to be more clinical.
“We also owed a performance for the fans. Now we’re four points off a promotion play-off spot.”
Even though it was a frustrating afternoon for
Preston there were no recriminations from Neil regarding his players.
He said: “We’re sitting sixth in the league. They have done remarkably well to be in the situation we’re in.
“I would get greatly frustrated if anyone is going to level criticism at them.
“The first goal at this level is crucial. I think when we’ve scored first we’ve not lost in 34 games. To be honest I don’t get too high at any stage. I’m still grumpy if we’ve won.”
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