Macaulay Langstaff might have to take action to address Millwall slump - it could even involve Notts County | OneFootball

Macaulay Langstaff's Millwall days are still yet to get going and may be wishing for an exit route come January.

Millwall forward Macaulay Langstaff is still yet to find his feet for the Lions and could seek an exit route when January comes: Notts County could even be on the cards.

After a more than impressive spell in the National League and League Two with Notts County, Macaulay Langstaff made the step-up to the Championship last summer where he joined Millwall for a fee of £700,000 plus add-ons.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a prolific 42-goal season in the National League which was later backed up the following year as he scored 28 goals in 46 league games during the 2023/24 campaign - his first season in the EFL.

His debut season for Millwall was frustrating to say the least, with Langstaff struggling to make any kind of impact under the guidance of Neil Harris, and continued in the same vein once Alex Neil took the reins in December.

His goalscoring form dropped off significantly and game-time came at a premium in the second half of the campaign.

With Langstaffkeen to remain at Millwall over the summer and fight for his place even after signing the impressive Josh Coburn, the centre-forward has commonly played second fiddle to Coburn as well as Mihailo Ivanovic, partly due to injury.

However, you can't help but think that even if fully fit, Langstaff wouldn't be Neil's first-choice to lead the line.

With that said, the search for a potential exit route for the forward could be a good option in order to revive his career - even a return to Notts County would be more than welcomed.

Macaulay Langstaff should consider a move away from Millwall

Despite Langstaff having made five Championship appearances so far this season, netting one goal which came on the opening day with a late winner over Norwich City, the striker is still a solid forward option for the Lions.

But with an array of attacking depth in their ranks, a potential move away, even in a loan capacity, could be beneficial.

The Serbian Ivanovic had an impressive campaign last year under Neil and has now signed a new contract with the club, and with Coburn being integrated into the side, consistent minutes seem unlikely for Langstaff.

As well as the two forwards, Millwall also possess the likes of Aidomo Emakhu, Femi Azeez and Camiel Neghli respectively, who have all showcased their versatility in forward areas, only adding to Langstaff's current game-time struggles.

With Langstaff more than likely to want to remain in the Championship if he were to exit the Den, either in January or in the summer, his transfer would be seen as a gamble after only managing to score two goals in his last 39 league matches at second tier level.

A move to League One, or perhaps even a return to his beloved Notts County in League Two could be shrewd business, and could well prove to be the difference in earning his former side promotion to the third tier that eluded them last season.

A return to Notts County could be a perfect destination for Macaulay Langstaff

After making the move to East London last summer, it's fair to say that Langstaff hasn't yet established himself as a Championship-proven striker.

The forward hasn't completed a full 90 minutes this season, with injury struggles being prevalent in the early stages of the campaign, culminating in just 83 minutes of second tier action at the October international break.

If his struggles for minutes continue, it would come as no surprise if he were to seek an exit, in which the Millwall fans would surely have very few qualms about given his lack of impact in Bermondsey.

Despite being two divisions below his current level, a return to Meadow Lane would be a good option due to knowing his surroundings, being forever a fan favourite, and a chance to rediscover his fine form that EFL fans were so used to seeing a couple of seasons ago.

A reintroduction with the prolific Alassana Jatta at League Two level could leave Notts County fans in dreamland, even if it were on a short-term loan deal.

You'd like to think that with the strikeforce of Langstaff and Jatta alone, it would be enough for the Magpies to secure a play-off spot, at the very least, due to the guaranteed goals that the pair would bring to the table should they stay fit.

If Langstaff is to be seriously considered by Neil, and cement his place as a reliable option for Millwall, then a temporary move away could refigure his fine form from League Two.

At this stage of his career, the Stockton-on-Tees-born striker needs to be playing regular and impactful football, and his best chance of obtaining that could well be to seal a move away from Millwall in the near future.