Former Ipswich favourite Carlos Edwards says he already feels part of the Millwall family ahead of Saturday’s trip to Portman Road.
The right-back has been in impressive form for the Lions since joining on loan towards the end of last season and then making the move permanent in the summer.
Ian Holloway’s side head to Suffolk this weekend for a reunion with Edwards’ old team sitting fifth in the table with only one defeat to their name having conceded just three goals so far this season.
Edwards has played in every Championship fixture so far, but it was a different story for the 35-year-old when he suddenly found himself frozen out by Mick McCarthy having been a Tractor Boy regular for the previous four seasons.
“I don’t know what the issue was at Ipswich,” the Lions defender told News Shopper.
“The manager kept saying be patient. The games were running out and I don’t know whether he wanted me to be patient with him come the last game of the season so when the opportunity came for me to come on loan here I jumped at it.
“I didn’t just come here to play games, at the same time I wanted to prolong my career and to do that I needed to play games to put myself back into the window so people could see I was still available.
“Fortunately I came here to Millwall, helped the team stay up and was offered a new deal.
“I’ve still got a few friends at Ipswich who I will relax and chill a bit with afterwards, but Millwall is my family now.
“I’ve had great times at Ipswich, fond memories and a few bad ones, but I would thank them for all the things they have done for me on and off the pitch.”
Millwall’s fine start might have surprised a few outsiders, but Edwards feels it is really down to a change of mindset inspired by Holloway.
“I think it is just down to a bit of self belief really,” he explained.
“The team let themselves down loads last season and that was two years on the trot they were looking down the barrel.
“We can all blame managers – Steve Lomas and whoever was there before and the way that they left the team - but it is all down to the players at the end of the day because we are the ones who go out there and do things on the pitch.
“The manager can only put faith in us to go out and bring back three points.
“There was some good soul searching among the players.
“Ian Holloway played a big part also by telling the players to look into their soul and not just think about themselves but also their family and friends who are also supporting them.
“I think they got a reality check and you can see we’ve been reaping the rewards so far. Long may it continue.
“We did set goals for the season and play-offs is one of those goals, to be there come the final day of the season.
“I don’t think it is beyond us. It is going to be tough, but at the same time we have what it takes in this squad to push for something good this season.”