McLeish to lay down the law

30 June 2011 09:02
ew Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish will "lay down some ground rules" on how he expects his squad to behave when they begin pre-season training.[LNB] McLeish was renowned for fostering a strong team spirit at Birmingham during his three and a half years in charge at St Andrew's.[LNB]But the former Scotland boss will also stand no nonsense if players step out of line.[LNB]McLeish said: "I don't think there is any doubt about the fact that I'm in charge. Where we're coming from is that we will lay down some ground rules.[LNB]"There will be templates for the training ground and some in-house rules so no-one is in any doubt from the start about the way forward for the club.[LNB]"If there is something that needs to be said in front of the whole group, then it gets said and the guys will be told.[LNB]"But at the same time I think you've got to establish relationships as well with players, and vice-versa, to get the best out of them."[LNB]McLeish has already indicated that the slate is "wiped clean" for any players who were not part of previous Villa manager Gerard Houllier's plans.[LNB]Stephen Warnock, Stephen Ireland and Habib Beye were given few opportunities by Houllier.

Source: Team_Talk