‘I think that will help him’ – Alex Neil on why Millwall midfielder joined Wealdstone on loan.

ALEX Neil believes sending under-21s midfielder Alfie Massey on loan was the “only logical step” and that his time at National League side Wealdstone will benefit his development.

The 19-year-old midfielder signed his first professional contract last summer after being promoted to the under-21s, and he made his first-team debut shortly after, starting against Portsmouth in the EFL Cup First Round on August 13, 2024.

On January 13, he made his second first-team appearance for the Lions in a 3-0 FA Cup Third Round victory over Dagenham & Redbridge, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute.

Massey frequently travelled to away games, appearing in eleven match-day squads and being an important member of Kevin Nugent’s under-21s.

He trained with the first team during the preseason, starting in the Lions’ 3-0 friendly win over AFC Wimbledon on July 22, and was one of the younger players Neil mentioned looking at this summer. The Scottish head coach believes that consistent game time will help him improve.

“We did the fans forum not long ago, and we spoke about different categories of players in terms of lads who have done under-21s football,” Neil told me. “Alfie has certainly played under-21 football. I don’t think he’ll gain anything more from that.
He’s going to get restricted minutes with the first team just now.

“I believe the only logical step is to get him out there and give him competitive minutes, which I believe will benefit him. As his career progresses, it will reveal where he is.

Hopefully, he succeeds, returns, and can then perform admirably for us.” Massey joined Millwall’s academy at the age of fourteen, following spells at West Ham and Arsenal, and started in the final as the under-18s won the Professional Development League Cup 2024.

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com