Claridge tells Millwall fans: It's time to wise up

Steve Claridge asked Millwall fans today to be realistic about the club's prospects after taking over as manager.

Claridge, who had more than six hours of talks with chairman Jeff Burnige before agreeing to replace Dennis Wise, was a popular figure during his playing days at The Den.

He said: "People want to see the good old-fashioned honesty and hard work that I've got. I think it's certainly an advantage to have played here. It's a unique club in many ways and I know its strengths and weaknesses.

"But what determines how I am treated is the results. All I can ask is for people to understand the situation I am in. They have got to bring reality to the situation.

"I am under no illusions about the financial side. That's been made very clear to me, and I think it's important that everyone else realises it as well. It's going to be tough job and there's got to be some tough decisions made.

"I don't envisage pulling up any trees at this stage but if we apply ourselves and everybody works hard we should be fine."