MARTIN ALLEN motivated his players with a pre-match dive into the Solent - then begged NOT to be called Mad Dog!

The former QPR, West Ham and Portsmouth midfielder earned the moniker for his antics during his playing career.

And his managerial methods would suggest that he has not changed a bit.

He said: "After I dived in the players had to dive into this game and they did that.

"But when I dived in Full Monty like Mark Spitz, they all laughed and laughed and laughed!

"I got out as quick as I could.

"There was a massive tanker about 100 yards away that was bigger than this ground and it made me bloody cold - I nearly had a heart attack.

"But you don't get a team to play like we did on Saturday by diving in the Solent, I can assure you.

"You get a team like that by working long hours on the training pitch.

"People say I'm mad because I get them to run like crazy but there's a great deal more that goes into the preparation and what we have at Brentford is special.

"There are people that don't really know me and the depth of organisation that goes into it."

Allen's managerial career has taken off since his playing career ended when he left Pompey five years ago.

He was reminded of his previous loyalties by the Northam Stand season ticket holders, but is determined to become a success as a manager - and make Saints his first Premiership scalp.

"It's a couple of years since Barnet gave me my first opportunity and the whole job's what I live for," he revealed.

"It takes over your life. All I do is go and watch other games, read books, and watch videos of our games.

"But I'm trying to create more time so I can maintain a better quality of life."