Manager Neil Harris has said that there will be no easy pickings from Millwall this summer as he looks to build a squad to go one step further in 2016/17 and return to the Championship.
Having missed out in the League One Play Off final against Barnsley at Wembley, Harris knows that plenty of players saw their stock rise this season but he’s not interested in selling any of them for a quick cash boost.
The South London Press have him quoted as saying that he’s determined to keep his squad today and then add to it this summer, and in simple terms, any player under contract is not for sale.
With media speculation linking the likes of Lee Gregory to Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday, and Jordan Archer to varying Championship clubs, Harris explained.
‘No player under contract is for sale. We will not be forced to flog any player who is still signed for us. The only ones who will be available will be the ones who are out of contract. We are happy with the players we have got. We are confident that we can improve it and do well next year. There are no worries about keeping this squad together. We have done really well, even if we haven`t quite won promotion. There is a great team spirit and I believe the ones we want to keep will also want to stay.’
With the released list already announced, but the future of Mark Beevers up for debate with a new deal yet to be signed – and even a potential return for Chris Taylor, Harris went on to say.
‘We had a slow start to the season, especially at The Den. But this side has grown into it. We have built the foundations for a good time to come. My players have put pride back into this club after a tough time in the Championship. We are in a good situation. We have been sensible. We have a wage structure in place now and that will safeguard us. We will not do what some teams have done – gamble millions in an attempt to buy success. Look at the overspending which some of them have done. Of course, we must be competitive. But if you look at the teams which are gambling millions – where are the youth players coming through? They are not getting a chance. We are not giving ours their opportunities because it is the cheap option, though. They are getting a go because they are very, very good Millwall players and understand what we expect – and because we want them to be an asset for the club.’
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