Neil Harris handed a full league debut to Ryan Leonard against Leeds on Saturday following his transfer deadline day arrival from Sheffield United for a record breaking fee.

Leonard blended into to Millwall’s midfield seamlessly and was involved from the get go.

Quarter of an hour gone he nearly provided an early assist as he headed across goal to find Steve Morrison who headed straight at the keeper.

It was in the second half that Leonard warranted his transfer fee as he man-marked Samuel Saiz superbly by preventing arguably Leeds’s best player from getting on the ball. Leonard’s smothering frustrated the Spaniard as he was seen continuously complaining in the referee’s ear.

The ex-Southend man showcased his versatility as he was involved in both attack and defence. Late on in the second half he broke clear from the Leeds midfield and played in Jed Wallace who’s attempted cross to Gregory was blocked. Minutes later he propelled himself in front of Saiz’s effort that was on course to be on target.

With all in the stadium believing that Leonard was the well-rounded midfielder Millwall needed, he then stepped up to show he had one more skill in his locker. A long throw. His looping throw was followed by Jake Cooper’s flick on which found an unmarked Jed Wallace at the back post who fired it home. 

After Leeds equalised late on, Leonard pressed high up the pitch to aid Millwall’s attempts to go back in front. A beautiful pass with the outside of the boot curved its way into the path of Tom Elliot, who was controversially brought down in the area and on another day could’ve been awarded a penalty.

Millwall have got themselves a player in Ryan Leonard. A player who was short for minutes ahead of the match against Leeds but managed to dig deep to put in a man of the match display.