Charlie Cresswell has revealed how approaching games with a different mindset has helped revive his loan spell at Millwall.
The Leeds United loanee has endured a turbulent time at The Den. He scored twice on his debut in a 2-0 win over Stoke City in July last year and starred in nine of Millwall's opening 11 league games.
But Cresswell has also faced long periods out of the side, and has had to fight for his place in Gary Rowett's starting XI. The England under-21 international believes his over eagerness to impress perhaps led to his difficult start to life at the club.
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“As a young player coming on loan you want to impress – you want to do well,” Cresswell told the South London Press. “You want to have this career. I really wanted to do well and tried to do well.
“Sometimes people say you can try too hard. People might not understand what that means, how can you try too hard? But you can try too hard and put too much pressure on yourself – build up a lot of fear."
Cresswell returned to the starting line-up after over two months on the bench when Millwall drew 1-1 against Sunderland in February.
He has played every minute for the Lions since, as they continue to intensify their push for the Championship play-offs, and Cresswell has credited his newfound calmness for his recent revival.
“The thing for me, since the Sunderland game really, is that I’ve really approached the games with a different mindset. I’ve sort of just understood that I can’t control what is going to happen – and surrender to that," he added.
“It’s really allowing me to play with that freedom and play as myself. It’s allowing me to bring out my ability. The last few weeks I’ve shown when I step away, when I’m calmer, that I play much better. That’s what I’ve been doing – long may it continue.”
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