Millwall v Ipswich: New Millwall boss Ian Holloway will get a rousing reception on his home debut today, but Ipswich Town have no fears about going into the Lions’ Den.

So says Blues boss Mick McCarthy, a man who knows all about the south London club having started his own managerial career there as a 32-year-old in 1992.

Millwall are just one point above the Championship relegation zone at present following a seven-game winless streak. Charismatic and experienced manager Holloway is bound to lift his players though, with his side putting in a spirited performance for his first game in charge last weekend – eventually going down 1-0 at Huddersfield courtesy of a last minute goal.

“It’s a real passionate club and Ollie will tap into that and try and make the atmosphere even more vociferous,” said McCarthy, who led the Lions to the play-off semi-finals in 1994 before taking the Republic of Ireland job.

“He’ll buy into what they are as a club and if they get some results I think they’ll buy into him.

“He’ll try and generate the atmosphere that the Den can create. We all try and make our home ground intimidating and it is what it is there.

“Listen, it’s not a half, a quarter, even a sixteenth as intimidating as the old Den though, let me tell you. It can be a great atmosphere still there, but the old Den was something else in terms of scaring the opposition.”

Town are looking to quickly get back on track today after their own nine-game unbeaten run was brought to a grinding halt; last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to QPR seeing them drop out of the play-off places before Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat at League One side Preston ended their FA Cup interest at the third round replay stage.

“Millwall are a club I normally have feelings for because they took me on as a player and gave me my first job in management. It was a great opportunity for me to get the player manager’s job at 32 years of age. It was a great grounding and experience for me and helped me become the manager that I am.

“I’ll have no feelings for them whatsoever this weekend though. I want to go there and win.”

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