For all the vast experience of his 28 years in football with 12 different football clubs, Micky Adams is not one to tell you he knows it all.

Except when it comes to the business of pre- season training.

"In my day, for the first two weeks you didn't even see the ball," claims the Coventry City manager.

"You ran, you ran and you ran. You ran up hills, down them again, across country, the lot.

"It's easier now. It's certainly more scientific and I'm not sure it's any better. The sports scientists would tell you different but I reckon players were mentally stronger in days gone by."

If Adams looks on almost with envy at today's players, one thing has not changed in his outlook - the importance of a good pre-season.

Adams is a great believer that how a team ends a season can have a big effect on the next campaign. And the fact that Coventry not only stayed in The Championship, but kept hold of all the players wanted to with the exception of Steve Staunton, suggests a settled dressing room. But even more crucial is the work those players do between now and the big kick-off on August 6.

And, having this week started his first pre-season campaign with the Sky Blues, Adams is just as aware of what can be done at this time of the year as when he went through his first pre-season as a player, with Gillingham back in 1979.

"It's not just the fitness side that's vital, but the way you want to play and the strategies you want in place," he said. "I want to knuckle down on things which I couldn't last season.

"It's very difficult when you take over in mid-season. There are so many things you want to implement, your beliefs and the way you want things done.

"I broke a few eggs, but I had to stamp my sort of authority on the club because I felt it was needed.

"If the lunatics had taken over the asylum, it was a case of taking it back. Now it's my turn for everybody to understand where we are and what we're doing from the start."

At least Adams can feel comforted that things are already under control when it comes to relations with the boardroom and chairman Mike McGinnity - in contrast to his disillusioned predecessor, Peter Reid.

"I can't speak for Reidy," he said."But, for me, the financial restrictions have not been a problem. The chairman has backed me as much as he can.

"One of the most vital relationships in any football club is that between manager and chairman. If you haven't got that, you might as well forget it and I've been very impressed with him.

"He wants a successful team, but he also wants to safeguard the future of the club. It's no use me coming in and picking out players they can't afford.

"We wanted to keep our better players. We did that with all but one.

"I then asked for more money to bring in Richard Duffy, Jamie Scowcroft and Matty Heath and I've got them.

"Our squad is still threadbare in places; after all, we still need a new keeper but I've got players here who I think we can improve.

"The top two is beyond us. Maybe the top ten might be, too, but that's what we're going to strive for."

And, even if he does have a reputation of being the lowbudget operator that clubs turn to when funds are tight, like any true Yorkshireman who looks after his brass, it doesn't worry Adams.

"I've been at clubs before that had no money," he said. "After all, I must have been the unluckiest Premiership manager ever to go up there with Leicester and not get to spend anything!

"'But the way I look at it," he adds with an impish grin, "is that there will always be football clubs who are struggling, so I'll always have a job."