Aston Villa stars may turn against Gerrard after training ground ‘punishment’ – Mills
Danny Mills has admitted he “doesn’t understand” why Steven Gerrard has banned sauces from the Aston Villa training ground.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender claimed it was a needless “punishment” and the squad could turn against Gerrard if his coaching is not up to standard.
The Telegraph (November 22) reported Gerrard has banned fizzy drinks, sauces, puddings and hot chocolate from Bodymoor Heath.
The new boss wants to install high standards at the Midlands club and came up with the list of prohibited items after consultation with his sports science team and nutritionists.
“I never quite get all that, banning ketchup, mayonnaise and brown sauce,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Pudding I get, fizzy drinks I get. They’re needless. But ketchup and mayonnaise, how much are you having? Are they drinking it by the barrel load? I don’t quite understand that.
“It always seems bizarre when a manager goes ‘You’re not having that’. It’s just a punishment.
“There’s no scientific reason to ban ketchup. Do they not think the players are having it at home? OK, fizzy drinks are unnecessary.
“Sometimes it’s just about making a point. It’s about being disciplined. Undoubtedly he wants to make it professional and set the law down.
“You’ve got to make sure you’re coaching is very good and you’re getting the results. They are the annoying niggly little things that can turn against you if you’re not careful.
“If you stop people from having something, they’ll just have it when they got the opportunity. It’s more about education saying ‘Look, these are the choices. This would be a better alternative for you’.”
In other news, Dean Smith has set his sights on signing an Aston Villa attacker and £4m will seal a January deal.