ANDRE Boucaud says Peterborough United was more like a circus than a football club when he left London Road seven years ago.
But he says they are not clowns now – and insists Notts County face a hard game against Posh in League One at Meadow Lane today (3pm).
The Magpies midfielder made his pro debut for Peterborough as an 18-year-old back in 2003 on loan from Reading.
He joined them permanently a year later and spent two more seasons there, but says it turned into a nightmare when they let the TV cameras into the club for the infamous 'Big Ron Manager' show that was aired on Sky in 2006 in which Ron Atkinson tried to help rookie Peterborough boss Steve Bleasdale.
It caused quite a stir at the time, showing footage of a dressing room brawl, arguments and Bleasdale walking out just before a game.
And Boucaud says it was a real low point in his career.
"I'm sure people were watching, thinking it was a bit of a circus – and it was. I was in the circus!" he said.
"It was probably good for the public, but it wasn't for me and it didn't put the club in a good light.
"It wasn't a good time – there were so many ups and downs, and it felt like every month we had a new manager.
"But that was a long time ago and a lot has changed there now – they're a strong side that has just come down from the Championship.
"It makes it a huge game for us and we have got to go out there and believe we can win."
Despite it all turning sour for Boucaud, he still has fond memories of his early days there under Barry Fry.
"When I was young, they were the first club to give me an opportunity of first-team football so I'm glad for that," he added.
"Barry Fry gave me a chance when I was 18 in League One and they put me on the map."
Boucaud is now on the map more than ever and was called up by Trinidad & Tobago for the CONCACAF Cup in America this summer.
He feels like playing international football will make him an even better player for Notts this season.
The Magpies lost 2-1 at Sheffield United in their first league game, but played with ten men for most of the game after defender Gary Liddle was sent off for a high tackle.
But they bounced back to beat League Two Fleetwood Town in the first round of the Capital One Cup that has set up a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the second round.
And Boucaud wants to get off the mark in the league now with victory against his old club.
"We need to try and get some points on the board," he said.
"We're at home and we have to show our fans we can perform and if we believe we can win I think we can do that."