The Birmingham Mail's Ashley Preece has revealed what new Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has "transformed" at Bodymoor Heath.
What's the story?
Gerrard was appointed as the club's new boss following Dean Smith's exit from Villa Park, and now, Preece has claimed that the former Liverpool captain has already had a major impact on things at the training ground.
He said: "Gerrard splits his coaching staff into units; he'll oversee everything, Beale will have the defence, McAllister will have the midfielders and Danks, for example, will have the strikers. There's a few brilliant Michael Beale podcasts floating around, fascinating listens.
"They're like lieutenants, lots going on. Training has been completely transformed at Bodymoor, earlier starts. But to answer your questions, the coaching setup will stay the same, Austin MacPhee has been away with Scotland so he'll be back today."
Villa fans will be excited
Given the incredibly disappointing start to the Premier League campaign Villa have endured thus far, news that Gerrard is shaking things up behind-the-scenes is sure to excite Villa fans heading into the busy festive schedule.
The 'new manager bounce' is something Villa may look to ride the wave of, but if Gerrard can maintain the high standards in training that he already appears to be instilling, then the Midlands club will be in good hands for the longer-term too.
The former Rangers boss looks to have surrounded himself with good personnel, and Preece's description of them as "lieutenants" makes them seem very demanding and high on discipline.
Whether players were beginning to just go through the motions under Smith, or simply taking it too easy, it looks like Gerrard will be onto them very quickly for any falling standards.
Consequently, Preece's behind-the-scenes news is sure to have Villa fans buzzing as they bid to improve their shoddy form this term.