Sheffield United: Defender explains what it's really like to play at Millwall

So what is it like to play at The Den? Does the prospect of competing in front of a crowd whose anthem ‘No one likes us, we don’t care’ betrays the fact they revel in their formidable reputation really strike fear into the hearts of opponents? Speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup third round tie in south London, centre-half John Egan insisted that rather than being cowed he is always exhilarated by the prospect of competing in hostile environments.

“I always enjoy that kind of environment, personally,” the Republic of Ireland international told The Star last night. “They always try and put you on the back foot and we’re a side that like to do exactly the same to whoever we are up against. It’s all about standing up to challenges, not just here, every match you are involved in.

“Millwall is a tough place to go and their fans are always right behind them. But then again, so are our ones too. They’re brilliant, away from home, and that always gives you a big lift.”

Egan, who is set to make his 192nd appearance for United this weekend, has faced Millwall on home soil numerous times during his professional career. “I’ve been there with Gillingham, when I was with them, and also Brentford as well as here of course.” Chris Wilder, Heckingbottom’s predecessor, once insisted the two clubs have more in common than either would care to admit - blue collar backgrounds, partisan followings and, among those support bases, a demand for absolute commitment.

“I haven’t spent enough time down there that I know so much about that,” Egan said. “But what I do know is that our fans always give us that backing and that the lads here never give anything less (than 100 percent). No matter what happens in a game, that’s always the case.”

“We want this and they (Millwall) are going to want it too,” he added. “So what I do now you’re going to see if two sets of players ready to put everything on the line to try and get through.”