Millwall manager Kenny Jackett was delighted with former Blue Liam Trotter’s display against his old club on Saturday. The 23-year-old, starting for the first time since a thigh injury, scored his seventh goal of the season having created the vital opener for Andy Keogh — a one-time Blues trialist - in the third minute of his side's 3-0 victory at Portman Road.

Jackett said: “He’s been quite a big player for us in what we’ve done so far and we’re obviously looking to the future and building with players like Trotter and lads of that age to hopefully take the club forward.”

Trotter lined-up in a role he hadn’t occupied since his days with Town, according to his manager: “It’s the first time he’s played there for us. He said to me that in his first spell in the first team at Ipswich he played wide left.

“We felt that it would surprise Ipswich a little bit. Also in the second half we tactically adjusted where he came inside as the third midfield player and we pushed Harry Kane out there, so he is quite variable that way. It was a very good return and I’m sure he’ll be pleased to score against his old club.”

Ipswich-born Trotter was a member of the Academy’s 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning team but left for the Den in the summer of 2010 having turned down a one-year deal at the end of his contract, having spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Millwall for a second time.

The Lions, who had agreed an undisclosed fee for a potential permanent move at the time of the loan, offered a two-year contract, Jackett having been impressed during that spell: “We took him on loan and he did OK for us and we could obviously see some potential.

“I can’t speak for the Ipswich end, it certainly wasn’t the present management that we were dealing with there, but we were pleased to work with him.

“At the time we were a level below in League One and he was stepping down and I’m pleased to say it was a step down to come back up into the Championship. We were pleased with him on loan and pleased to secure his services on a permanent basis.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Marcus added 07:03 - Apr 23 "it certainly wasn't the present management that we were dealing with there" Indeed, how do you think we feel?
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itfc1981 added 07:16 - Apr 23 Thanks to another of our pointless offers of just 1 year contract offers to good players he left us. Cheers Cleggy.
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Marcus added 07:26 - Apr 23 @itfc1981 - why do you assume the decision to only offer him a year was up to Clegg? I'd have thought he made the offer on advice of the manager.
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Surco72 added 07:48 - Apr 23 Keane played him out of position then didnt rate Trotter and only offered him a short term deal to make Millwall pay us fee . And people criticise the current management for not giving youth a chance Rhodes,Trotter,Garvan all should still be at this club
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itfc1981 added 08:28 - Apr 23 Because Keane said he left contracts up to Cleggy. We have had trouble sorting contracts under both Keane and Jewell, even with the latter saying this should not happen. Clegg is the common denominator.
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alex12345 added 08:44 - Apr 23 Trotter never looked like a star at Ipswich and I personally don't think he'd be the player he is now if he'd stayed at Ipswich due to a number of factors, the biggest being a lack of first team opportunities for him. He made a good move for himself. However i don't see why this story is of any relevance to us. The story is about Kenny Jackett talking about one of his own players. Completely unrelated to Ipswich as far as i'm concerned

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brian_a_mul added 09:12 - Apr 23 Fair play to Liam Trotter. He has developed very well at Milwall and I'm delighted for him. I did like what little I saw of him for town but I think the move was definitely right for him. I think Trotter picked up a red card in one of his few appearances (and sadly I think previous manager made up his mind then). He wasnt going to get a game in the first team after that. Our previous manager had an uncanny knack of demoralising our younger players (and senior players too). TBH I think PJ has done a marvelous job turning around the attitude/atmosphere in the changing room from very negatitive to very positive.

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Garv added 11:03 - Apr 23 Let's be honest Trotter was a donkey and most were happy to see him go. Let's not start pretending he was some kind of boy wonder, he got slated and boo'd on a weekly basis. That's probably why he left.
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itfc1981 added 12:31 - Apr 23 Let's be honest Trotter was a donkey. Garv dont give up the day job.
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happybeingblue added 17:59 - Apr 23 trotters done well since he left us-hardly a donkey,and we have hardly been blessed with quality midfielders in the last few years-i for one never booed him maybe the people who did helped him make his decision to turn the 1 yr deal down! well done! probably the same annoying fans who always boo nugent,earnshaw etc and make it so easy for them to play extra well everytime they are at portman rd.one day they will learn that booing most players only bites us back!!

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StochesStotasBlewe added 19:39 - Apr 23 Where is Kenny,s jacket???. Expect Del boy sold it down the market.
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Blue041273 added 20:01 - Apr 23 There is no point blaming anyone for Liam leaving. His contract was up and he chose to move on. While I believe most fans were sorry that he chose not to stay I don't recall too many people saying that he should be a regular in the team at that time. He was a useful peripheral player but the stated objective was to get into the EPL and most fans were looking for premiership class players to come in to get us there. Liam has done well with Millwall and in all truth probably made the right decision to join them.

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bluearmy4life added 23:17 - Apr 23 Trotter has done well for himself @ Millwall. He looks like he has been on the weights. One year contracts are pathetic for such a young player like Trotter. If he stayed with Town who knows he could of been a better player.
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