DUNCAN Watmore wants Millwall to get on top of the “small margins” and drag their season back on track.
The 29-year-old started last Saturday’s game against Hull City as the Lions lost for the fourth time in five matches.
Watmore has enjoyed a long career in football and believes getting control of even the smallest factors could be crucial in pushing Millwall back up the table.
He told NewsAtDen: “Football has so many different variables and [the result] is dependent on so many different things. You just have to keep trying to do the basics right and accept you’re going to have natural variations and up and down form, that’s the nature of it. One week people think you’re good, one week people think you’re bad… it is an industry of a criticism and praise and strong opinions. Part of the job is dealing with all of that.
“It’s a game of small margins and that’s the thing with football. So as a team and an individual you’re always thinking ‘can I do the basics well? Can I do it consistently?’ and then you build on those foundations.”
Despite the unpredictable form, Watmore remains positive that Millwall are heading in the right direction.
He said: “I think, if we’re honest with ourselves, we obviously turned a big corner over the Christmas period and got some good results. And even Leicester and Middlesbrough, the two really good performances there, and I think we could have come away with more positive results.
“The past couple of games results and performances haven’t been at that level and that’s our responsibility to turn that around. This league is very up and down – the Championship is obviously famous for it – and our aim is to consistently produce. It’s not always easy but that has to be the aim and that’s what we’re striving to do.
“It has been up and down and we’re all aware of that. But, at the same time, I feel very positive about the team and what the manager and coaches have been doing with us. We’ve had a tough run of games but I am confident we are going to start getting the results again. I do think we are doing a lot of stuff right.
“When we’re at our best, we get that balance right between playing at the back and having possession but also being positive and being attacking and willing to turn [opponents]. But every game is a different game and you can’t always get it right.”
Since recovering from injury in November, Watmore has been involved in 12 of Millwall’s last 13 games in all competitions. He only missed last month’s 1-1 draw with Preston North End due to a stomach bug.
“It was one of those where I hadn’t eaten for two-and-a-half days and I couldn’t have run about on a pitch,” he said. “That’s when it’s just taken out of your hands. I literally couldn’t play.
“You have to be in a position where you can help the team. If you’re in a position where you’re going to be a detriment to the team, the decision is easy because you never want to make the team worse.”
Having signed in the January window of 2023, Watmore has been at The Den for just over a year and still finds himself enjoying life in south-east London.
“I really like the club, I’m enjoying my time here immensely,” he said. “I get on really well with all my team-mates, staff and people behind the scenes. It’s a really friendly club and the fans have been great.”
The forward is also confident from his own experiences that this year’s January signings – Japhet Tanganga, Michael Obafemi and Adam Mayor – should have no issue settling in despite arriving halfway through the season.
He said: “Obviously [in the summer] you have that pre-season bedding in time, but in January you’re not afforded that luxury because every day matters. But that’s just the nature of the game and players are used to it. It’s our job and that’s what you have to do.
“I feel like the three signings have fitted in really well with the lads. We’ve been looking forward to having them and looking forward to their impact.”
Retirement is likely still many years away for Watmore but his unusual route into football and his struggles with serious injury means he is well-prepared for when the day comes when he has to hang up his boots.
He said: “Personally for me it’s always something I’m aware of, with the injuries I’ve had.
“I’ve came through to football through a slightly different route as well. I didn’t come through academy football, I went to university and got a degree [in economics and a Master’s in International Business Management]. I didn’t even think I was going to be a footballer when I was 19-year-old – I was at university just playing part-time football.
“I suppose I’ve always had that in the back of my mind that football is not for everyone and I didn’t even think I was going to be a footballer. And then I got two ACL, back-to-back injuries and I was out for like two-and-a-half years. I didn’t have a club for six months because of my injuries and Covid and stuff. So I’ve had times in my career where it was close to be over anyway.
“So I have thought about it [life after football] and I am aware of the temporary nature of football.”