ALEX Neil said all of Millwall’s squad, regardless of playing time, have contributed to an “unbelievable season” after Derek Mazou-Sacko marked his first start in five months with a man-of-the-match performance against Queens Park Rangers.
The 21-year-old French midfielder opened the scoring with a powerful strike in the third minute, then laid the ball off for Camiel Neghli to score the Lions’ second fourteen minutes later. Millwall went on to win the game 2-0.
Mazou-Sacko’s last start came against Portsmouth on November 22. He was sidelined by an ACL strain sustained at Fratton Park, then suffered a bone bruise in training in January.
“I spoke to the lads after the game about the likes of Derek’s situation, where it’s tough when you’re not playing all the time,” Neil said. “What I’ve said to the lads is, irrespective of whether your part in this team is that size in one game and that size in another game, you’ve contributed to an unbelievable season for this club, and you’re a vital part of the team.
“Now, what you’ve got to do when you’re not playing is you’ve got to be a great support act for the rest of the lads that are playing, because when you’re playing, you’d expect them to do the same. That’s why this team is like that, and that’s why the dressing room has got so much in it because they fight for each other, they care for each other, they support each other.
“Derek’s had to bide his time. And as you can see today, not only the fans, but the players couldn’t be any happier for Derek in terms of how he performed and how he influenced the game. So it’s brilliant.”
Mazou-Sacko has made 20 appearances in all competitions since signing from Ligue 2 Rodez AF last August, his first season outside France. He came through Troyes’ academy and also spent a season out on loan at Nancy.
Mazou-Sacko’s English was limited when he joined the club, but has since improved.
“He understands a hell of a lot more than he can speak,” Neil said. “But his footballing IQ is good. We still need to do a little bit of work with him.
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“It’s a brilliant changing room. If you’re a lad coming from abroad and you want to come and try and fit in somewhere, our lads are brilliant. I’d imagine in other changing rooms you might feel quite lonely, and it’s difficult, but the lads are brilliant with him.
“We’ve got [Thierno] Ballo, who’s a French speaker. Tristan [Crama] is a French speaker. I think Camiel Neghli, Casper [De Norre] can speak a bit of French. So we’ve got a lot of lads. Joe Bryan. I’m not sure he can. I think he’s got two words, and he keeps saying the same two words.
“It’s a brilliant changing room to come in if you’re a young kid coming from abroad, you want to try and find your feet somewhere. The lads are sound.”
