Millwall defender Shaun Hutchinson has reflected on his side’s 2-2 with Cardiff City in the Championship last night, saying that he ‘knew it’d be a battle’.

In what was Adam Barrett’s final game in charge as caretaker manager, Millwall came from behind twice against Neil Warnock’s side with a brace either side of half-time from Tom Bradshaw.

It places Millwall 15th for the arrival of Gary Rowett, who’s first game in charge of the club will be against his previous club Stoke City.

Speaking to the club’s official website today, Hutchinson said:

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle between two sides with similar styles of play and who like to get the ball forward quickly.

“I thought we started the game really well and we were unlucky to go a goal down, but that’s how it went and we showed good character to recover and earn something from the game. I’d say a draw was probably a fair result in the end for both teams.

“We’re used to a battle and we enjoy one, so we knew what to expect from Cardiff. We picked up a lot of second balls and put them under pressure, and we played a bit of football as well.”

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Hutchinson, 28, is in his fourth season at The Den. He joined from Fulham and was part of the Millwall side that won the League One play-offs under Neil Harris in 2017.

He’s played over 100 games for the club but saw himself fall out of contention for the start of this season.

But having started the last four games and played every minute of them, he looks set to become a regular in the first-team under Gary Rowett.

The verdict

Cardiff was a good test for Millwall and they impressed in-front of their new manager. Rowett will have an idea of the side that will face Stoke on Saturday, and expect Hutchinson to be one of the first on his team sheet.

He’s forming a nice partnership with Jake Cooper at the back, and that sort of stability and consistency at the back is what Millwall need this season.

Stoke have turned their season around recently, and will pose a huge task for Rowett in his return to management.