GRAEME Souness' reputation for being one of the most fiery and passionate men in football has never deserted him during his four years at Ewood Park.

But despite continued brushes with authority and clashes with officials, Brad Friedel has noticed a significant change in the Blackburn boss's personality - he's chilled out.

The Rovers goalkeeper played under Souness in the mid-1990s at Galatasaray, where a volatile and virile atmosphere meant the former Liverpool and Rangers manager adopted a far more heavy-handed approach.

Friedel revealed: "The gaffer is different now to how he used to be - he used to look for a fight every day.

"Even if someone was wearing the wrong shirt he would go overboard and upset quite a few people.

"But it's because he hates people taking advantage of situations and when he came to Blackburn he saw what a good set-up it was and that people wouldn't do that.

"He doesn't get in your face too much any more. He might when results are going poorly but he likes you to be your own man and treats you as a professional."

Friedel's insight into Souness's new calming influence came when he met supporters for a question and answer session earlier this week.

During the event, staged by the South Lancashire branch of the Supporters Club at the Hesketh Arms in Standish, last season's Player of the Year also tried to pinpoint the reason for Rovers' defensive woes this season.

"We play a very open game," added the American. "That's the way the gaffer wants it so we're not going to change that. We certainly have enough quality players to play that way.

"In the last game (at Manchester City) we had a back four that did really well. Nissa Johansson came in, marked one of the world's best forwards and kept him quiet.

"So it's not all doom and gloom. We've had complacency and people crying over spilt milk but that's getting sorted out. We've got a good group of lads."

Friedel also recalled his early career, harking back to when he first arrived at Nottingham Forest in the early 1990s when Brian Clough was manager.

But after barely meeting the great man, the young American was off to Newcastle, where he also failed to make an impact before spells at Brondby, Galatasaray and Columbus Crew in his homeland paved the way for his second chance across the Atlantic at Liverpool.