Den atmosphere ‘not like it used to be’ says QPR boss Redknapp

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QPR manager Harry Redknapp insists his players will not be fazed by the notoriously hostile atmosphere at The Den when they face Millwall.

Rangers head to south London looking to maintain their unbeaten Championship record and return to the top of the table.

And Redknapp, who has spent much of his career with Millwall’s arch-rivals West Ham, says he does not expect to be given a hard time by Lions fans.

He said: “I didn’t go there too often with West Ham as they were always in a different division.

“I’ve been there before with Portsmouth and they [Millwall fans] were as good as gold. They’re characters over there. I’ve never had a problem.”

And Redknapp believes Millwall’s current ground, which has been their home since 1993, does not have anything like the intimidating affect on opposing teams as the old Den did.

He explained: “The first professional match I ever saw was at the old Den with my dad.

“My dad used to go there quite regularly between going to Arsenal and other matches that were on in London.

“It’s not like it used to be. The old Den was something else. It’s not so bad now.

“You look at the players we have; Benoit Assou-Ekotto has played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Niko Kranjcar has played for Croatia in Turkey and played in play-off games.

“They’ve been there in intimidating atmospheres – and Joey Barton has been intimidating people for years.”

JamesDeGale

 

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