Millwall produced a remarkable turnaround against Coventry City at the weekend, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with Tyler Burey impressing off the bench.
Described as ‘outstanding’ by manager Gary Rowett after the match, the 21-year-old provided fans with excitement and flair as his direct running and positional freedom continually troubled Coventry following his introduction for the injured Mason Bennett on twelve minutes.
This isn’t the first time Burey has had Lions fans off their seats though, his cameo appearances last season, paired with an exciting five game spell out on loan at Hartlepool that was unfortunately cut short by injury, definitely raising expectations.
In a side that has often lacked attacking thrust, Burey uses his pace and dribbling ability to light up the game and, pair that with his aptitude to finish from outside the box and you have a player that will catch the eye.
Perhaps a little surprising considering those attributes, Burey racked up just 615 minutes for Millwall last term, largely off the bench, or filling in when the injury numbers were at their highest.
However, could this season be the year he breaks out and nails down a first team spot?
It’s clear Millwall see him as a potential star, signing him to a new long-term deal earlier this month after whispers of transfer speculation in the summer.
While Rowett was keen to praise the player against Coventry, it came with the caveat that Burey still needs to deliver consistently to be considered Millwall’s main man.
“He’s got real talent and what he’s got to do is continue to keep working to add all the other little bits to make him a player you can trust every game,” Rowett said.
“He’s got that belief in his ability, that’s why we’ve signed him for the long-term. We feel he’s got that ability to go and change games.
“What we want is for him to be in a position to do that week in week out. I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks, he’s seemed a lot more focussed.
“Since his contract’s been sorted he really seems desperate to kick on and certainly that performance has done him the world of good.”
Although the challenge has been set and Burey appears to be rising to it, Rowett’s recent decision to abandon a system that deploys natural wingers in favour of two strikers may prove to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Burey may have filled one of those spots on Saturday, operating more freely behind Benik Afobe and often drifted wide before cutting back inside but it’s a role that hasn’t come naturally to him.
“This season, with the change in formation, he’s (Burey) been a little frustrated, he feels that it’s difficult for him to show the best of his ability,” Rowett explained.
“But today (the game against Coventry) proves how he can do it. He can just drift wide into those little areas that centre-backs don’t want to chase him in and then he can go and do some damage.
“When he drifts wide, we’ve got to make sure that we’ve got sufficient bodies in the box to go and get on the end of some of his good work.”
With injuries already mounting, fitting Burey into the side in a way which ideally showcases his ability could prove difficult but for now, it is more likely he will have to be patient, show adaptability and play where necessary.
Nevertheless, as players return, it is at this point Millwall fans could see the end product that has sometimes been missing from Burey’s game.
For instance, it is easy to see a potential link-up with Zian Flemming, once Millwall’s record signing returns from injury with the Dutchman likely to benefit from someone dynamic like Burey playing off him, who is able to deliver crosses into the box to be met by his late runs.
It’s a combination that could bear fruit this season but it is also important to remain patient with young players as they break into the first-team.
There will be difficult spells, bad decisions and times where it just doesn’t click but if Burey can take more games by the scruff of the neck as he did against Coventry, this could be a season to remember for him.