When John McGinn turned 27 in October, he arrived at the Aston Villa training ground with an array of cakes that were described as the best ever seen at the club.
The Scotland midfielder brought a sponge cake, a red velvet cake and a number of different cupcakes. Striker Ollie Watkins turns 26 at the end of the month and it would be a surprise if the occasion is marked in the same fashion.
Since Steven Gerrard succeeded Dean Smith as head coach on November 11, desserts and table sauces have disappeared from the canteen at Bodymoor Heath. Whether players have ketchup with meals or the odd cake is less important than the message Gerrard was trying to send — this is a place of work at all times.
Steven Gerrard has instilled a proper work ethic among his players in his first month in charge
The days of John McGinn bringing in an array of cakes for his birthday are over under Gerrard
These are early days but the methods are working. As one of Liverpool’s greatest captains prepares to return to Anfield as an opposing manager on Saturday, Villa have nine points…
