WHILE the mood at Wanderers seems a different world from the sorrowful place it seemed before the international break, Neil Lennon insists he has not instigated a revolution at the club.

In the manager’s own words, subtle changes have been made to training, preparations and tactics in the build-up to today’s game at Birmingham City.

Quite aside from his well-publicised objection to headwear on the training pitch, the players left from Euxton for the Midlands yesterday on a team coach to stay overnight in a team hotel – something that Lennon grew accustomed to in his four successful years at Celtic.

“I know where they are, I know they are being well rested before the game, I know they are getting the right food, I also know they are not travelling in from here, there and everywhere, wherever they live, the morning or afternoon of the game,” explained the new boss.

“Anything can happen – they could be caught in traffic, there could be an accident on the road. So we travel together, we eat together and we liaise together.

“It also means we can do the analysis of the games the night before as well and it’s fresh in the mind, although we don’t overcomplicate that either.

“It’s just a thing we did previously and I wanted to bring that into what we do here.”

That same approach will also be adopted for home games, starting with Brentford’s visit next weekend.

Lennon also sees no reason for a change in captaincy, putting faith in Jay Spearing as his predecessor did, although the Northern Irishman admits that could be subject to change.

“I don’t think I need to make changes at the moment,” he said. “I have tried to be more subtle rather than radical. Everyone is on an even footing again.

“Until I can assess what their strengths and weaknesses are I will reserve judgement.

“With the captaincy it’s Jay’s until things change but it’s not my main concern at the minute.

“He has been the captain and he’ll carry on in that position for now.”

Such is the wave of goodwill on his arrival, Lennon appears to have won many fans over before a ball has even been kicked, a phenomenon he was at a loss to explain in his first pre-match briefing yesterday.

“You can take that two ways; it’s a good thing or it can put extra pressure on the game tomorrow,” he said. “I don’t want that pressure to the players, that’s my job. I’ll take that on.

“It was very quiet on the Monday, as expected I’m sure there are people wary of me and a bit of apprehension of the way I was going to be.

“We just try to make the training ground a place that players look forward to coming into, that’s important.”

Lennon has been snowed under by well-wishers from within the game as he heads towards St Andrew’s – making for a hectic first week in charge.

“It has been fantastic,” he added. “I didn’t realise I had that many friends to tell you the truth.”