Livewire Mills focused on repaying manager’s faith

IN THE modern game, players often express a need to feel ‘wanted’ by their club.

The antics of Manchester City’s Yaya Toure in the summer, apparently cheesed off with his employers over the lack of a birthday cake, highlighted an apparent desire for love from above even for the best-paid players.

Lower down the wages scale, that same thirst for recognition exists for many.

And for Joseph Mills, the persistent chase for his signature by Athletic boss Lee Johnson helped hammer home the message that SportsDirect.com Park was where he needed to be.

There is no bitterness within the 24-year old over how events transpired at Burnley.

Mills, who made his senior breakthrough at Southampton before joining Reading three years ago, went on loan to the Clarets for the full 2012-13 season.

Ten appearances later, and a permanent contract was automatically his — but realistically, with Sean Dyche replacing Eddie Howe as manager, the writing was on the wall and he had to make a move.

Loans with Athletic and Shrewsbury followed last term as he sought regular action.

Now, Mills is focusing on repaying the faith Johnson has twice shown in him, by producing a season full of performances which eclipse even those in the impressive loan spell of last year.

wishing

That was when lung-busting overlapping runs from left-back and excellent set-piece deliveries led to many Athletic fans wishing for his move to be made a permanent one.

“One of the main reasons I came back here was that the manager put across that he wanted me to be here to play games,” said Mills, whose elder brother Matt plays for Bolton Wanderers.

“I want to play — and do well for the club.

“I signed first on loan at Burnley, with a permanent contract included if I hit a target. That was under Eddie Howe.

“He left to go to Bournemouth and the new manager (Dyche) came in and took it his own way. That was his decision and they went on to do really well, so there wasn’t a lot that I could complain about.

“At the same time, I didn’t want to sit there and just be a cheerleader from the stand.

“So I went out and managed to get a good amount of games at Oldham. That’s what I wanted, to play a big number of games to show that my body can handle it.

“It was a good season personally, but this season I really want to kick on and that is why I have decided to make the move permanent.”

Port Vale, Carlisle and Gillingham victories to one side, Mills feels an overriding sense of injustice stemming from his previous stint with Athletic.

The infamous televised game at Preston and the agonising defeat with 10 men at Rotherham are but two examples of an extended theme whereby Mills and Athletic failed to get their just desserts last season.

This time around, though, an increased level of know-how at this level can only help matters.

“We should have got more wins when I was here last time,” admitted Mills, who penned a two-year contract after securing a release from the final 12 months of his deal at Premier League new boys Burnley.

deserved

“There were so many times we dominated possession and also chances, but got hit with a sucker-punch without getting the luck that we deserved.

“At the same time, we were playing the right style of football and creating chances.

“Hopefully this season we can do the same — only this time, burying those opportunities.

“The players that have been brought in by the manager are great additions, more experienced players who have played in a lot of league games. That shows on the training pitch.”

One facet currently present which was missing in Mills’ three-month spell on loan with Athletic is the steel framework of the new North Stand.

He believes it will prove to be a great asset, eventually sealing in what has been an increasingly loud level of home support.