Millwall and West Ham renew rivalry after 14 years

Millwall and West Ham United have not met in a competitive fixture since February 2012.

Since then, managers have changed, players have moved on, both clubs have experienced plenty of highs and lows, and the rivalry has been left largely to memories, stories and old footage.

At 12:30 BST on Saturday, it returns.

The Den will host the 100th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with West Ham making the short trip.

The two clubs are separated by few miles but the significance of the fixture goes well beyond geography.

This is a meeting that has been passed down through generations of supporters, though for some younger fans it will be their first experience of the derby.

Millwall supporter George Cole was only 10 when the sides met most recently in 2012. He has grown up knowing the significance of the fixture without having the chance to experience it during his adult years as a supporter.

"I was very young at the time so in my prime years I've not been able to experience this fixture," he told BBC Radio London.

"It's important, from a Millwall point of view, to play the game rather than the occasion.

"There's a certain level of passion which is needed and will go into the game, but composure is also important."

While the occasion will dominate the build-up, both managers are keen to make sure their players remain focused on what happens once the noise dies down.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo knows exactly what Saturday represents.

"All of us have experienced matches like this, they are so special for the clubs," said the Portuguese manager.

"I've been involved in many rivalries in my career, many of our players also - and we know everything is inside of the pitch.

"Inside of the pitch is where things happen, what dictates the games. It's not the noise, it's not the 40,000 or the 20,000, it's inside the pitch.

"Of course, it's a special game and we're aware."

West Ham go into the game in a very different position to their hosts - they are top of the Championship having responded strongly after a disappointing opening run by putting together a sequence of positive league results.

Their most recent Championship outing was an emphatic 6-0 win over Wrexham although they were beaten 3-2 by Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Nuno's side will now attempt to carry their league form into an atmosphere which will be unlike anything they have experienced in the division so far.

The manager says experienced players have an important role to play in helping younger members of the squad handle the emotion of the occasion.

The message from the West Ham camp is therefore not to shy away from the rivalry but to embrace it without allowing it to distract from the football.

For Millwall boss Alex Neil, the challenge is rather different.

Millwall are depleted by injuries, with 14 players currently unavailable, while a run of four consecutive midweek fixtures has stretched the squad further.

Their latest test came on Tuesday at Middlesbrough, where they led 2-0 before being pegged back to draw 2-2.

Neil said afterwards that his players were "running on empty" yet there was no suggestion Saturday's game could come at a worse time.

Quite the opposite.

"It means a lot to everybody - we'll give it everything," Neil said after the Middlesbrough game.

And when asked about the motivation required for a fixture of this magnitude, his answer was blunt.

"If you need motivation for this game, you shouldn't be playing football," the Scot said.