'Like the All Blacks' - Troy Deeney lifts lid on working with Birmingham City boss John Eustace

Troy Deeney says John Eustace has "shaken up" the footballing department since his arrival at Birmingham City. The Blues captain has described how Blues have already benefitted from Eustace’s clarity, positivity and a culture of accountability as they seek to turn their fortunes around.

Eustace, a former team-mate of Deeney’s at Watford, has only been at the club since the start of July and has overseen a couple of pre-season victories, a week’s training camp in Portugal and a general raising of standards behind the scenes.

While the head coach cut a frustrated figure after Tuesday night’s defeat to Solihull Moors, in which he lamented the team’s shortcomings in front of goal, Deeney says Eustace has set about building both an environment within the first team squad – and a team ready to face Luton Town on July 30.

“The gaffer has obviously come in and set his stall out. A clear message, I think you can see what we are trying to do, how we are trying to do it and get the buy in for the boys. Everything is really positive,” Deeney told BirminghamLive.

“I know that’s a general cliché thing to say but it genuinely has been positive. The whole club has had a shake from a footballing side, remember those things at Christmas where you shake them up and all the snow swirls? We have had one of those. The gaffer has come in and shaken it all up, wake up, it’s time to work. Hopefully long may that continue.

“It’s everything, rules, application, direction, leadership, standards, everywhere. Not trying to overcomplicate things, round pegs in round holes and not trying to reinvent the wheel in terms of players playing in their positions and trying to get the best out of the squad that we currently possess, not complaining about not