BRIAN Laws does not have happy memories of his visits to Millwall as a player, but he has urged his side not to be afraid of walking into the Lions’ Den this afternoon.

It is 17 years since Millwall left the infamous Cold Blow Lane and moved to the all-seater New Den, but the club’s reputation still goes before them and Clarets fans who park in the Deptford Park area this afternoon have been advised not to display any colours until they get inside the ground.

But Millwall’s new home may not have quite the same intimidation factor as the old Den, a ground that Laws remembers visiting as a Nottingham Forest player only too well.

“As a player the memories weren’t good,” he recalled. “I was beaten up twice on the pitch – by the players! They were very strong and physical.

“Teddy Sheringham was one of the players I played against at the old Den.

“Terry Hurlock, Tony Cascarino, they were just a vicious team, but high quality in it as well and it was embraced by the crowd.

“It was a horrible place to go to, the old Den. It was frightening, especially because it was caged.

“That was the period when the football grounds were caged in, and everywhere you looked it was just a cage with faces behind it.

“It was an intimidating place to be and that’s why they were so successful there.

“But that’s years ago. The reputation unfortunately still follows them everywhere they go.

“The new stadium hasn’t changed the mentality of the supporters, they are very vocal and supportive of their team and that’s very noticeable.

“It can be quite a hostile place but already it’s been shown this year that teams can go there and get a result, so we mustn’t fear it.

“In fact we should try to embrace it. These are the games that we’ve got to try to go and take points from.”

Watford went to Millwall and won 6-1 two weeks ago as the Lions’ bright start to the season following promotion has fizzled out with a six-match winless run.

The New Den will be the scene of celebrations today as the club marks its 125th anniversary, with a parade of players and a special shirt to be worn for the match.

But Laws is keen to spoil the party as the Clarets, currently fifth in the Championship, sign off before the international break.

“I’d like to think that they think they’re in a party mood,” he said.

“We might be able to come in a disguise and spoil it for them.

“We’ll be very mindful of their celebrations, 125 years is something to celebrate. But there’s no issue with trying to spoil that.

“Taking three points is going to be a really tough job but if we want to achieve anything this year we have to go there and believe we can do that.

“It’s a positive start to the season for us, although there is more room for improvement, absolutely.

“But anyone will tell you it’s a marathon not a sprint, and we believe we’ve got the players here to sustain a marathon.”