Manager Neil Harris has said it’s decision time when it comes to John Marquis as his loan spell with Leyton Orient comes to an end this weekend after their game against Exeter City and he also confirmed that Lee Martin would be moving on this month.
Beginning with Marquis, the South London Press have the gaffer quoted as saying that despite Marquis only scoring once in 15 games for the League Two side, he’s received very favourable reports from Ian Hendon on his overall performances and link up play leading the line.
Having signed a one year extension over the summer having failed to hold down a starting spot, the arrival of Steve Morison has now obviously pushed him further down the pecking order and Harris knows it’s time to make a decision on his future.
‘His loan finishes on Saturday and there will be conversations to see where that goes. John loves playing regularly and vying for a place at Millwall is not ideal for him at his age – he wants to play week-in, week-out. We will see if he wants to come back and try to force his way into the team or continue playing as much as possible. I have spoken to the Orient manager, who was really pleased with his contribution. He has not had the reward he deserved in terms of goals. John has done really well performance-wise. Football can be a crazy game – you can be a long way out but then end up playing six times in a row and everything being rosey again so that you are firing on all cylinders. January could be a difficult time for everyone, with a lot of players` contracts coming up.’
As for Martin, the same outlet has the gaffer as praising his overall attitude so far this season, but confirming he would be moving on so he could get game time having found chances extremely limited so far this year under him.
‘Lee is looking to move on and play football elsewhere. At the moment, players are in front of him, some of them youngsters who are coming through. He has been terrific for me this season – outstanding, training-wise and attitude-wise. He is a top player and a good pro. He started the season in the team but has not had a huge number of opportunities for the last couple of months to force his way into the first-team fold. The chances are not arising with us. We all think it is best if he looks for a chance somewhere else. I appreciate his need to play consistently. Once you are out of the team for a bit, you lose momentum and sharpness, which you are left striving for when you come back in. He works his socks off and wants that feeling back of being out on a football pitch on a Saturday.’
If he does depart, at this point in time he would leave having played 68 times for the club, scoring twice.
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Harris Talks Marquis & Martin
