Former Reading defender backed to become “a super player” by Millwall boss

By Richard Cawley

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Neil Harris has praised the development of Jake Cooper – with the big centre-back delivering consistently commanding performances for Millwall.

The 23-year-old has taken his chance after Byron Webster was ruled out in October with a serious knee injury.

“Jake is going to be a super player,” said Harris. “He has come so far with us in the last 13 or 14 months.

“He has grown as a player and as a man, becoming a father has really helped him mature.

“He has just got better and better. Jake went straight into the team at Nottingham Forest [on the opening day] but then got an injury and was forced to wait for a period. It probably did him the world of good. He was hungry anyway, but it showed him and the rest of the group how consistent and reliable you have got to be to play at this level.

“You have to look at the fact he is a 6ft 6ins tall centre-half, left-footed, dominates both boxes and scores goals. He has also got a great passing range. For a big man he hits a lot of angled 60-yard balls on the money – that is a skill in itself.

“Himself and Hutch [Shaun Hutchinson] have been a pairing and individuals who have come so far. They have shown their quality and are a huge part of stabilising us as a defensive unit.”