After missing the playoffs in previous seasons by the narrowest of margins, the Lions will be aiming to finish in the top six this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
Joe Bryan signed for Millwall after leaving Fulham and impressing in the Championship.
Millwall hopes Bryan can replicate his previous form and help them push for a top-six finish.
Bryan has faced injury and has not yet shown his full creativity, but fans are hopeful for his return and a potential play-off push.
After leaving the Whites at contract expiration and spending the 2022–2023 season on loan at Nice in France, former Fulham left-back Joe Bryan was recruited by Millwall during the summer on a free transfer.
Bryan, who came up via the development school of his childhood club, Bristol City, made 117 appearances for the West Londoners after joining in 2018.
Bryan received two promotions to the Premier League with the Craven Cottage team in 2019–20 and 2021/22, but it was the 2019–20 season when the former Robins defender truly stood out.
Bryan had seven assists during the regular season that year, making him one of the Championship’s most dangerous full-backs.
Most notably, the left-back was named player of the match after the Whites overcame Brentford, their local rivals, in the delayed 2020 Championship play-off final. He doubled Fulham’s goal total and his own with a second-half 40-yard free kick in extra time.
Millwall will be hoping for a resurgence of this excellent Joe Bryan form.
The Lions, who finished outside the top six in both the 2019–20 season and the previous season by just one and two points, respectively, will be aiming to place in the top six this season after barely missing out on the playoffs in previous years.
Even though they still have a ways to go before they catch up to their lower-division opponents, a return to form from Bryan might serve as the impetus for Joe Edwards’ team to mount a comeback.
Bryan has played in ten Championship games for Millwall so far this season, however he has only been selected for the starting lineup seven times.
According to Fotmob, the left-back has generated 11 opportunities at a rate of 1.5 chances per 90 minutes and completed 15 crosses, but he has yet to display the kind of inventiveness he shown at the Whites. He has only contributed one assist for the Lions this season.
Although Bryan sustained a groyne injury during a loss to Blackburn Rovers on October 24, he is anticipated to make a quick recovery and return to duty in early December, giving Lions supporters plenty of time to celebrate their man’s return.
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