Pre-conceived notions are like chocolate fireguards - a bad idea.

Take Micky Adams' halftime team talk during Coventry's priceless victory over Luton at the weekend; after a solid yet tepid first 45 minutes, the Sky Blues upped the ante in the second half, scored within two minutes and looked transformed, as they attacked Luton with renewed gusto.

However, if, like most of the 22,228 spectators in the Ricoh Arena, you thought this was down to Adams venting his spleen during the 15-minute interval, you couldn't have been further from the truth.

Coventry's manager patrols the touchline menacingly and lives a lifetime during every game with his anguished expressions.

To all and sundry he appears to be a no-nonsense manager who isn't adverse to throwing the occasional teacup and launching into a tirade against under-achieving players.

But, as mentioned earlier, preconceptions are extremely dangerous and Adams no longer operates a dictatorship inside the dressing room as he believes that policy is redundant.

The likes of Bill Shankly, Brian Clough and Jock Stein were all behemoths in the managerial world and they could destroy any player with caustic verbal assaults

While calling the new version of Adams cuddly would be stretching it to the limit, he is without doubt a disciple at the modern school of management and his sermons are now far more positive than ever before.

"I didn't dish out any rollickings at half-time to the players because I don't think you can anymore," said a philosophical Adams.

"The game has changed and the mentality of the modern day player means that it doesn't achieve anything.

"It was a conscious decision I took around two years ago, as the fear factor of football management is no longer there.

"It stems from Academies as young players don't have to do the jobs we used to do as apprentices and PFA rulings mean that you can't shout at them.

"They are now sheltered from the man's environment and won't have heard it before, so the role of a manger is changing.

"However, I have to say that it is for the better as all that shouting isn't good for the old ticker.

"All I said to my players at half-time was to play with more confidence and they certainly did that."

James Scowcroft epitomised the renewed purpose and his surging run down the right flank allied to a pinpoint cross gave Dele Adebola the simple task of heading into an unguarded net for his sixth goal of the campaign.

It certainly wasn't pretty for large chunks of the afternoon but Coventry showed a resilient backbone that has been lacking for weeks and it can be no coincidence that this coincided with the return of Rob Page. He is not the tallest of centre halves but he is a giant of a man in terms of leadership and also possesses a talent that is in danger of dying out.

Analysts have long lamented the lack of wingers in modern football, but what about the lack of real defenders?

The sort of players who adopt a 'thou shall not pass' policy at all costs and bludgeon their ideals on others by sheer force of personality.

He might not be the most cultured centre half in the division but with Coventry's defensive record, Adams needs culture as much as the nation needs another series of The

Richard Duffy, Matt Heath and Marcus Hall hardly crossed the halfway line but their back to basics policy reaped rich dividends, as they comfortably repelled a team that were third in the table before kick off.

Therein lies the frustration for Adams, as he is patently aware his side are not promotion contenders yet; equally

Factor. X-they are not a relegation outfit either.

Coventry have a golden opportunity to re-establish their credentials with five of their next seven fixtures, as they shoulder the burden of expectation at the new Ricoh Arena well.

Another crowd in excess of 20,000 dispels the myth that there is no interest amongst the city and their vociferous response to any morsel of attacking play proffered will have a galvanising effect on Adams' troops.

The feelgood factor is still present at Coventry, albeit slightly hidden; it just needs to be coaxed out by a succession of decent performances.

Stoke are the ideal opponents to be facing on Wednesday as they are currently on the crest of a slump and, if Adebola and company can seize the initiative, then mid-table mediocrity beckons.

That might not be any great cause for celebration, but after the travails of last season it will be seen as a success of sorts and could leave the new-look Adams with a stress-free existence.