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.”
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