In the 11th of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath assesses the Brewers’ progress over the summer ahead of their historic first season in the Championship under Nigel Clough by delving into their forums. A reports on Aston Villa will follow later today with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.

“We are in the Championship and the Pirelli Stadium will host some famous names”, “History will be made”, “I’m sure we won’t have the most skilful team but I’m certain we will be proud of them”, “Our success in League One was a minor miracle and good for the game”, “Size doesn’t matter.”

“Iceland should be our role model in the Championship, no stars, no Billy big bananas, a strong work ethic, togetherness, fitness, courage and a willingness to concede possession and get behind the ball to fight for the cause and never ever to give up”, “We were rather like that last season anyway.”

“Our Nige knows what he’s doing. He knows what is required.” The 50-year-old managed the club successfully for over a decade before leaving to take over at Derby in 2009. He returned to the Pirelli last December, replacing the departing Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and was warmly welcomed back.

“Nigel gives me confidence that he knows exactly what is required for next season. He knows a bit about the business. He had the best possible tutor in his father, nothing to worry”, “With Nigel at the helm we shall give them hell and enjoy our time with some of the elite clubs in England.”

Nigel Clough

“We couldn’t have a better manager in this campaign. He knows his stuff, does our Nigel”, “With Clough, the battle to stay up will be with a good general in charge. He knows the lower leagues and has experience of the Championship on a small budget. His record with youth is second to none.”

Many Brewers have developed a fondness for battle metaphors. “I hope Nigel is the guy in charge to have us scrap, fight and battle to get us as close as possible to the points we need”, “He’s a fighter and not a quitter, and that’s exactly the mentality we need in the coming season at the Pirelli.”

“All the facilities and fanbase are way below our counterparts. What we are about to see are rifles against tanks. The only thing going for us, just as the South had Robert E Lee, is a guy called Nigel Clough. The South lost an unwinnable war, and we will still be remembered if we lose our battle.”

Rebuilding After Promotion

“Last season the Brewers were a lower league version of Leicester. A team where everyone knows and does their job well, are organised and united in the cause and who works hard for every minute of the game can compete with everyone.” Last season’s side were praised for their unity of purpose.

“With the squad we have built, we will be better at competing physically. We have a lot of tall and powerfully-built lads in the team which will allow smaller players to flourish.” Clough has brought in six first XI standard players in a sign of the Brewers intent to be fully competitive this season.

The defence has been strengthened with the signings of 28-year-old Ben Turner from Cardiff and Kyle McFadzean from Milton Keynes. Central midfield has been strengthened with the arrival of 23-year-old Jason Irvine from Ross County and 34-year-old Lee Williamson from Blackburn.

“O’Grady will be brilliant at winning headers, holding on to the ball and causing defences problems.” Lloyd Dyer has been signed, the 33-year-old winger having appeared for Burnley last season following a trial at Town, while Brewers are happy to see 30-year-old striker Chris O’Grady on a season-long loan from Brighton.

Players Leaving the Pirelli

Defender Anthony O’Connor has departed for Aberdeen, midfielder Robbie Weir has joined Leyton Orient and defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff has linked up with Australian outfit Manly United. Midfielder Mark Shelton is now with Ilkeston and striker Sam Austin has joined Kidderminster.

Pre-Season Line-Ups

“I am not a fan of pre-seasons, but the QPR game whetted my appetite”, “The difference between League One and League Two is next to nothing, but the difference between League One and the Championship is severe”, “There’s a noticeably faster pace to the game at Championship level.”

“The new formation worked well.” The Brewers have played seven pre-season friendlies this summer. Nigel Clough changed to playing a three-man defence in the starting XI (above) for their recent 1-1 draw against QPR. “Three at the back gave us options and was worth persevering with.”

“You can’t read too much into one game but once again the Brewers were impressive”, “The wing-backs were exciting, especially Tom Flanagan and the central midfield also played well with Matt Palmer taking time to build confidence, although Jackson Irvine looks to be a great signing to me.”

Brewers talked about Clough watching the later QPR game from a higher vantage point to assess the shape with three centre-backs. “I hope I don’t live to regret this, but I feel more optimistic every time I see the lads perform”, “I am happy with the commitment the team showed.”

The starting XI (above) for their other most recent game against league opposition at Exeter City also played with two up front but with a four-man defence. “Looking at the size of our players too, we aren’t going to get bullied by any side”, “I feel we will be able to compete in the Championship.”

Prospects for the Coming Season

“I think it’s true to say that we haven’t a clue how we will perform next year. All we know is that the club will give it their all. We have all the ingredients at the club except lots of money, and we have faith in our chairman and our manager”,

“We, the fans, will need a change in mindset, having been around the top of our league for the last three seasons”, “It is years since we habitually lost games consecutively and we must adapt to the change in fortunes should this occur”, “We can do little as fans, but what we can do, we should do.”

“I think that a third successive promotion might be beyond us so I would accept an eighth-place finish.” Joking aside, survival would be seen as a heroic achievement for most fans. “As long as we give a good account of ourselves I will be happy. If we manage to stay up I will be over the moon.”

“Football is the game for the people and we are the grassroots”, “If we carry on playing as we have done, we’ll be a match for many in that league”, “Fans were singing, ‘Everything’s gonna be all right’ to the team as they boarded the parade bus, what a great song to sing. I think we will be all right.”

Websites

Interesting discussion and opinion can be found on the friendly and knowledgeable Cloughthemagicdragon’s Brewers Talk message board.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

mojo added 22:53 - Jul 31 Seems odd to play a team from the same league as you in a pre season friendly. Not something you hear about often.
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goat_man added 08:52 - Aug 1 Very refreshing. As long as it's not at our expense, I really hope they do alright this season.
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