Mark Noble has revealed that West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola continues to lead by example - both off the pitch and on it.
The Hammers boss may be 43, but the midfielder said the Italian could still boss it when mixing with players half his age.
Noble, 22, told how Zola immediately won the West Ham squad over on his first day at Chadwell Heath back in September 2008. The former England Under-21 captain also explained that, despite his 'Mr Nice Guy' image, the manager was not afraid to tell his players exactly what he requires from them.
"He gets angry and he lets you know about it as well. He balances that so well. I think with a man of his stature, you can't say anything because he proves it every day in training. He's a good man to play for and I'm going to do everything possible to get us out of this position.
"I remember the first day he came. I'll never forget it. The ball got zipped into him and he [Johan] Cruyffed a player and chipped Robert Green! It's the way he is. He apologised after and it wasn't a flash apology; he was genuinely sorry.
Indeed, Noble credited West Ham's fighting spirit in Sunday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Chelsea to a rousing pre-match speech from their manager.
"We've got a fantastic manager here who believes in every one of us and tells us so every day. He spoke to us on Saturday and said some words that you could tell were coming from the heart. It wasn't just to make us feel good or play better. Sometimes it's a little bit fake, just to get you going, but he was really saying what he felt. You don't normally see that.
"We gave him everything against Chelsea because he's such a good man and you put your body on the line for him in every game. I would do that, personally, and I'm sure every other player would too. It's a nice way to feel about your manager.
"Speak to a lot of players in the Premier League and I bet it doesn't really feel like that. He's a good man to play for and I would do everything I can to get us out of this position."
Noble returned from a one-match suspension to put in an impressive display against the Blues at the Boleyn Ground.
The youngster showcased his full range of skills, passing the ball with typical aplomb while never giving his illustrious opponents a moment's peace when they were in possession.
With bottom side Portsmouth to visit on Boxing Day, Noble is eyeing an important victory to further raise the spirits both within the dressing room and in the stands.
"With Portsmouth winning [against Liverpool], we needed some sort of result, and when I was out there I was convinced we were going to get the three points. They didn't really threaten us or anything, but then again, you sometimes get these decisions go against them. Unfortunately for us, it went against us on Sunday.
"We're glad we picked up a point on Sunday, and it was obviously for the fans and for him. We've got to crack on and get some more points."
Having been injured and ill earlier in the season and harshly sent-off on his 100th league appearance for the club at Birmingham City, the popular midfielder is eager to put a consistent run of performances together to cement his place in Zola's starting lineup.
"I hurt my knee in training. It was nothing serious so I carried on, but the next day I could hardly walk. That was a bit devastating. Then I got really ill when I was coming back. I got the flu and that put me back, and then I got red carded.
"It was stop-start, but I had a full week of training last week and it was good to get back on the pitch and playing the way I can do."
Looking at the bigger picture, Noble believes West Ham's draw with Chelsea was symptomatic of the close nature of this season's Barclays Premier League. Manchester United and Liverpool both lost last weekend, and the Hammer believes there could be more shock results to come as the campaign wears on.
However, Noble insists one of the so-called 'Big Four' will still sit top of the pile come next May.
"It's still only eleven men versus eleven men and it's about whoever wants it more on the day. The quality that the normal top-four have got means they'll put some results together, and I'm sure one of them will win it in the end."