Tomorrow will not be the first time former Watford defender Paul Robinson returns to Vicarage Road and sits in the opposition dug-out.

However, this time he will do it as interim assistant manager following Gary Rowett’s departure from Millwall.

Will that make things different for him?

“No, not really. You just come back and do the job you’re doing,” said the 44-year-old who made more than 250 appearances for the Hornets between 1996 and 2003.

“Obviously at the moment I’ve stepped up as assistant manager to help Adam Barrett, who is caretaker manager.

“I love coming back because Watford is my club and my home, and I love the memories that flood back when I come into the stadium.

“But it’ll be about trying to do the right things to help Millwall pick up three points tomorrow.”

Robinson admits he expected to be visiting a Watford team sitting higher in the Championship table.

“I’m very surprised at their start. I thought they would kick on more than they have,” he said.

“The squad is still changing though and I think there’s still work for Ismael to do with the team. He’ll probably want to bring more players in during January.

“As a manager you are always building, and it’s hard if you have players you think don’t fit in with your system and style. It does take time.”

Valerien Ismael had picked up a reputation for being a coach who liked to play a very direct style of football when he was in England before – totally at odds with the way he sets up his Watford team.

“You’ve got good footballers at Watford, and that’s the difference probably to other teams he has managed – say Barnsley for instance,” said Robinson.

“He found a way to win with a certain style of football at Barnsley. At West Brom, he struggled a bit more as he had a lot of technical players who didn’t like the direct approach of aggressive, energetic football.

“At Watford, he’s trying to find the balance. He has got players with energy, but also players with a lot of quality like Martins and Asprilla.

“When Watford get their quality players on the ball you can see what he’s trying to do, but he’s also got the likes of Livermore and Kayembe that are dogged and help him control the game a bit better.”

Millwall’s reputation always precedes them – a very direct, tough and aggressive team who take no prisoners.

“For us, we have to be on the front foot,” said Robinson.

“We can’t afford to sit back and worry about what’s going to happen. We have to stay positive and keep the lads focussed, and believing in what we’re trying to do – and until we’re told otherwise, that’s what we’ll be doing.

“We want to play attacking football and be aggressive, and it can be hard to get players to do that sometimes. But as a coach you have to keep driving the instructions in.”

What is Robinson expecting when he walks out on the pitch for the warm-up on Saturday and then take his seat in the Vicarage Road away dug-out?

“Normally I get a pretty good reaction from the fans. Obviously a lot of the younger ones these days probably don’t know who I am or what I did!” he laughed.

“In general, I always get a really good reception whenever I come back to Watford.”