‘Bit between their teeth next year’ – Millwall boss backs duo to ‘contribute a lot’ after season-ending injuries

‘Bit between their teeth next year’ – Millwall boss backs duo to ‘contribute a lot’ after season-ending injuries

Alex Neil Backs Injured Duo for Big Return: “They’ll Have the Bit Between Their Teeth Next Year”

Millwall boss Alex Neil has backed Camiel Neghli and Ra’ees Bangura-Williams to make a major impact next season, after both players saw their campaigns curtailed by injury.

Neghli, 23, joined the club in January for a club-record fee, a move that generated plenty of excitement among the Millwall faithful. However, the Dutch-Algerian midfielder endured a frustrating start to life at The Den, managing just six appearances across all competitions. Ankle and hamstring injuries kept him sidelined, denying him the chance to build momentum or showcase the full extent of his abilities.

Meanwhile, promising youngster Ra’ees Bangura-Williams also saw his season cut short. The 20-year-old winger had been building form before sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty in March. Despite the setback, Millwall underlined their long-term faith in the talented prospect by handing him a new long-term contract, a move that signals the club’s belief in his potential.

Speaking about the importance of squad depth and the potential for players to bounce back from injuries, Neil highlighted how others in the team had returned from long spells out and ended the season strongly — a precedent he believes both Neghli and Bangura-Williams can follow.

“If you look at a couple of the key performers for us towards the end of the season,” Neil said, “we got Billy Mitchell back from injury. He hadn’t featured for pretty much the first half of the season, but when he returned, he became one of our standout performers. He was consistent, composed, and influential in the middle of the park.”

Neil also pointed to the impact of defender Tristan Crama and forward Josh Coburn, both of whom stepped up after injury absences. Crama, a January signing, quickly became a defensive linchpin, while Coburn, who had missed three months, delivered several crucial performances during the final stretch of the campaign.

“These are guys who hadn’t played a lot early on – either because of injury or because they hadn’t arrived yet,” Neil continued. “But when they became available, they didn’t just fill gaps – they became key assets to the team.”

That pattern gives Neil confidence that Neghli and Bangura-Williams, despite their limited contributions this season, could play vital roles next term.

“I would fully expect that Camiel, Ra’ees, and players in similar situations – who maybe didn’t get the game time they’d have hoped for due to injuries – will come back hungry, with a point to prove,” Neil said. “They’ll have the bit between their teeth next year, and I think they’ll contribute a lot to the team.”

With a full pre-season ahead and the backing of the manager, both players will be eager to repay the club’s faith. Their anticipated return adds an extra layer of depth and excitement as Millwall look to push forward in the upcoming campaign.