League Two
Dean Keates is adamant that the appliance of science utilised by Richard Money will reap rich dividends this season.
Paul Merson's laissez-faire attitude is in stark contrast to the all-mod-cons approach adopted by Walsall's latest incumbent of the hot seat.
Not only did Walsall's first team squad work through the whole of June in a revolutionary 'maintenance' period, but they have also been introduced to laptops and power points, as Money attempts to bed home his tactical vision.
The proof of the pudding will be witnessed on Saturday when Walsall travel to Rochdale for their opening League Two fixture.
If the Saddlers gorge themselves on a feast of goals then Money's high-tech, methodical approach will have been worthwhile.
If they return a with a paucity of points and goals, however, it could well mean Money has to modify his masterplan.
But Keates is definitely a convert to Money's sermons and admits that it has let him intoxicated for the challenge ahead.
"I have been a professional for ten years and I have never come across anything like this before," admitted Keates. "However, it is good to see. Time moves on and things change. This is a new era.
"There is a lot more organisation and it is a fresh start for everyone. Everything is different and the manager has been impressive with the way he has gone about his work.
He is a bit more high-tech and has broken things down for us. I have never been with anyone like that before who uses that kind of stuff.
"During our time at Lilleshall he showed us how his plan was going to work on his laptop and up on the big
screen. It was like a big theatre and run through a projector.
"There are definitely no chicken Balti pies, as those days are long gone," he added with a smile, referring to Walsall's famous delicacy.
Keates has been bedevilled by injury through the bulk of pre-season but he insists Money's fitness regime has ensured he is up to speed.
While most players were soaking up the sun in exotic locations, Keates and company were swimming, cycling and running within the confines of David Lloyd gym in Great Barr.
Money classed it as a maintenance period and Keates has more reason than most to be grateful.
"That has helped me more than anyone as I have missed abut three weeks of pre-season with an ankle injury," he continued. "If we hadn't have been in throughout June, I would have probably been a couple of weeks behind the lads. But I am not too far behind."
