I’m back in the team to stay, says Mills

Joseph Mills: Athletic flat out to achieve top-six place

ATHLETIC left-back Joseph Mills has excelled since stepping back into the side — and he has no intention of giving up his place again.

The Swindon-born star was part of a back line that scrapped for every inch of this week’s victory over Swindon - Mills’s second start since returning from a three-match ban.

The former Southampton and Burnley man says he won’t be making the same mistake again: “Getting sent off was unfortunate, but it is a lesson learned,” said the 25 year old.

“Coming back in, I just want to make sure I stay there and give the best I can. I want to help us push to where we want to go.

Mills said he was always confident the club would retain star men on deadline day earlier this month, when talk of a Rotherham bid for Jonathan Forte was circulating.

The arrival of Jake Kean, Jacob Mellis, Conor Wilkinson and Rhys Murphy mens strength in depth will be a factor in shaping Athletic’s remaining 17 matches of the season.

“The players brought in add an extra dimension. It is always nice to see the bench and competition for places and know that if it is not someone’s day then things can be changed. We have different ways to win games with the players we have, which is important.”

Mills says confidence of claiming a play-off place remains high despite recent defeats.

“We are all going into the changing room after every game and win, lose or draw we know what we are still aiming for,” he said. “We think we can do it.”