JASON STEELE normally gives the team talks on Sundays as boss of his pub team back home in Newton Aycliffe.
But today he happens to working at his real job and going for a giant – killing act.
So it will be Blackburn manager Owen Coyle who delivers the sermon of intent.
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Yet if the 26 year old had the chance to lecture his own team mates before facing Manchester United he would not pull any punches.
For he admits that relegation – threatened Rovers have been letting themselves down all season.
Steele, part of Britain’s 2012 London Olympics squad knows he would not win a gold medal by predicting that everybody will be up for it against Jose Mourinho’s men.
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It is in the bread – and – butter Championship games where he says they have failed.
Rovers have beaten title favourites Newcastle twice this season and he declares: “Of course we will all be it at against United.
“Just like we were against Newcastle but you can’t just turn up for the big games.
“You have to do it week – in, week – out and we have not done that.
“And that, in my opinion, it a mentality thing.
“We need to be tougher mentally and I mean everybody, me included.
“We have not been ruthless enough in both boxes and that has got to change because while beating United would be fantastic staying in this league has to be the priority.”
Steele took over Co Durham pub team that comprises of Northern League players four years ago so he is well-used to pre-match lectures.
He stresses that if he was standing in front of the Rovers team this afternoon he would say: “I'd tell them to stick to the game-plan, first and foremost.
“Then I'd say just do yourselves and your families proud and try to enjoy it as much as you can.
“Nobody gives us a cat in hell’s chance against this lot – so go out an express yourselves like you know you can.”
The ex – Middlesbrough and England U-21 goalkeeper adds: “If we can do that we’ve got a chance – but we have to give ourselves a proper chance in the league, too.”
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