GARY Rowett praised the “motivational” and “calming” effect of Michael Carrick ahead of Millwall’s trip to Middlesbrough.
Chris Wilder was sacked in October last year after just two wins in 11 games left Boro 22nd in the table.
But Carrick would win 18 of his 30 league games in charge to propel the north-east club into the play-offs.
Rowett said he was impressed with the impact of the former Manchester United midfielder and admitted the already difficult game at the Riverside Stadium might be even harder.
The Millwall manager told NewsAtDen: “It’s always a difficult place to go. Middlesbrough away, regardless of who’s in charge, is a tough fixture anyway. Middlesbrough away under Michael Carrick – who has done really, really well and obviously had a calming and motivational effect on the players – is an even bigger test.
“And there’s no point me saying it’s a game we expect to win or anything like that. It’s a tough game. But we want to start the season well just like Middlesbrough do, we want to go and cause them problems just like they’ll want to cause us problems.
“And we’re away from home. So it’s up to us to go and perform impressively and start well away, which is always more of a test than your home form.”
The Lions last played Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season in 2018 when they blew a 2-0 lead with just minutes left.
Aiden O’Brien and Lee Gregory had given Millwall a two goal lead in the first half before late strikes by Martin Braithwaite and George Friend saw the away side take an unlikely point from The Den.
Millwall boast a strong record in their season openers and have only lost two of their last 10 games.
Those defeats came away at Nottingham Forest in 2017 and at home against Yeovil in 2013.