Millwall frustration made clear - "We're going to lose a big talent" unless something changes | OneFootball

Ra'ees Bangura-Williams has been limited to just six substitute appearances for Millwall this season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

FLW's Millwall fan pundit has criticised head coach Alex Neil over his perceived reluctance to give promising youngster Ra'ees Bangura-Williams more game time.

Having narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs last season, falling just short on the final day with defeat away to Burnley, Alex Neil's Lions will have set their sights on a place in the Championship top-six once again this campaign.

After 17 games, Millwall are certainly on the right track, currently occupying 4th place, just two points off second place Stoke City, with their most recent 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday cementing their place in the play-off picture.

However, with the parachute payment teams' struggles early on in the campaign, a void in the upper echelons of the table has needed to be filled in their absence, and as yet, no other team besides Coventry City has managed to fill it.

Although they sit in fourth, Millwall and Neil have come under criticism at times this campaign over their performances, having a negative goal difference of four, whilst that win over Wednesday was just their first win in five outings.

Calls from fans to shake up the side have been made, with attacking midfielder Ra'ees Bangura-Williams in particular not yet being given the chance to make a meaningful impact this season, with zero starts and just six substitute appearances in the league.

Ra'ees Bangura-Williams' lack of game time at Millwall is 'tough to see'

Football League World's Millwall fan pundit, Lucas Ball, has shared their view on whether Bangura-Williams is unfortunate not to have received more playing time this season at The Den.

Lucas said: "From the outside looking in, it's really frustrating. I mean, literally as I've just started speaking, our starting 11 has just been announced for tonight, so let me have a look at that and see. Still no place for Bangura-Williams in the starting 11.

"So yeah, it is frustrating from the outside looking in. You know, last season [he] was a real bright spark in the second half of the year, and looked like someone who could really threaten championship defences.

"Silky movement on the ball, um, eye for a pass and, okay, as a young player, maybe he hasn't necessarily always done the defensive side as well as he could have done, but, you know, obviously learning that side of the game.

"I think that's probably why he's not finding himself in the team as often as he might do. But if this carries on, then certainly other clubs are going to come sniffing around, and we're going to lose a big talent that someone else will sharpen into an even better player than he already is, I'm sure.

"So, I think we need to be very careful, um, with how sparingly we've used him of late. You know, there's been a couple of times this year when he's not even made the matchday squad.

"Obviously, at the moment, we've got a load of injuries, so he's been back in but not getting many minutes at all.

"I think that's been frustrating when we've been down in games that he's not had a chance to make an impact off the bench, which he has done already this season.

"You know, against Charlton, he was kind of the key man when he came on, and obviously scored a disallowed goal as well as the equaliser.

"Because in other games this season where he's played really well, even in a deeper role away at Palace after an early injury, he had to drop back into the two in front of the back five that night and played really well there.

"So, yeah, it's been really tough to see, and obviously, you want to see players come through your academy and do well, and partly as well, obviously, showcase to other youngsters that there is a clear pathway.

"Unfortunately, that's just not quite happening right now with the injuries and, at times, our poor form, it becomes more frustrating, of course.

"If we lose someone like Bangura-Williams as a result of him not playing, then I'm sure the fans will be very, very frustrated."

Alex Neil should find a way to give Ra'ees Bangura-Williams more game time at Millwall or risk losing him

Bangura-Williams was introduced from the bench in Millwall's away fixture to Charlton Athletic earlier in the season, and made an immediate impact, having one goal disallowed before netting a late equaliser.

The 21-year-old was signed from non-league outfit Tooting and Mitcham in 2023, and made his first team debut for the Lions last season, assisting in three consecutive games following his first league start.

The England youth international has had to compete with Femi Azeez, Camiel Neghli, Aidomo Emakhu, and Thierno Ballo for a place in the side, and has yet to impress Neil enough to start over any of them.

If Neil and Millwall are not careful, despite Bangura-Williams signing a new 'long-term' contract as recently as May 2025, they play the risk of him growing frustrated with his lack of game time and forcing a move.

A loan move could be sanctioned this January if he is still unable to force his way into the side, as Millwall need to ensure they don't damage his development by keeping him on the bench.