New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish says he will hold 'one-on-ones' with his players so he can build strong relationships with them.
The former Birmingham City boss is hoping to win over his squad after departing Villa's derby rivals and has revealed that he will be pushing to forge relationships with his charges when they return for pre-season training.
"I think it's important there are plenty of one-to-ones," he told reporters.
"If there's something that needs to be said in front of the whole group then it gets said and guys will be told.
"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.
"I've spoken to one or two, not everybody, but there's one or two I have had a chat with and I plan to speak to others in the coming week."
But McLeish did make it clear that he will be the boss.
"I don't think there's any doubt about the fact that I'm in charge," he added.
"But where we're coming from is we'll lay down some ground rules.
"There will be templates for the training ground and some in-house rules so that nobody is in any doubt from the start about the way forward for the club.
"I think it's definitely a changed game from the era that I played in.
"It's different mentalities you're dealing with."
