PETRIFIED players at Forest Green Rovers drew lots to avoid speaking to new boss Duncan Ferguson.
Then nominated teenager Charlie Savage to make a training move request.
Feared Premiership striker Ferguson took his first solo boss gig at the Cotswolds club.
And his reputation preceded him as his squad shirked chatting to their new boss and pushed Charlie – son of former Man Utd youth star Robbie – forward to address their new gaffer.
But Ferguson has allayed their fears, by dubbing himself a PUSSYCAT as boss.
A combative striker on the pitch for Rangers, Dundee United and Newcastle, the Everton legend accrued eight Premier League red cards.
He was also famously JAILED after head-butting John McStay at Ibrox during a Rangers match with Raith Rovers.
But Ferguson insisted his reputation was unwarranted during a fun exchange with Laura Woods and ex-team-mate Ally McCoist on talkSPORT.
He explained: "One of the lads came to me – wee Robbie Savage’s lad Charlie.
"He said 'Dunc, I’ve been designated to come and speak to you.' He’s standing as small as could be and I says “What is it son?
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“He asked me 'Do you mind if we train at 2pm tomorrow, the boys have put me forward'.
“They were petrified man! Terrified!
“It’s unbelievable you can get a reputation and scare everyone off isn’t it?”
And McCoist – once a room-mate of the Forest Green gaffer – joked: “Oh it’s totally unfounded isn’t it?”
And even though McCoist had a certain degree of sarcasm as he laughed his way through the Breakfast Show interview, Ferguson agreed, adding "Absolutely Ally – I’m a big pussycat, you know that!”
Getting to grips with management was all new to Ferguson who finally earned his first win at the weekend.
A 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday gave the new boss hope – but his task at the bottom of League One remains tough – they're four points adrift and 11 from safety.
And Ferguson explained the slow start was compounded by the size of his new squad.
He added: “There were 26 outfield players in my first training session – I was all over the place.
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