Clean sheet first target for JFH
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink says Burton Albion’s training sessions this week have been “intense” as he tries to drill greater organisation into the squad, particularly in defence.
The new Brewers manager talked of fitness, responsibility and the need for clean sheets in his first prematch press conference.
With Burton having conceded 50 goals before the halfway point in the season and being without a clean sheet in 35 games stretching back into last season, the focus of Hasselbaink’s first efforts in his second spell in charge is clear ahead of today’s game away to Gillingham (2pm).
“We started on Monday on the organisation and foundation. That has to be a lot better,” said Hasslbaink.
“We need to work to get clean sheets – we haven’t had one for a long time.
“You start on the training pitch. You get habits there that come through in the matches 99% of the time.
“We need clean sheets as quickly as possible. They give you a chance to win games.
“That’s what we’ve been working on this week and, hopefully, it will stick for 96 minutes, then we can pick it up and – repetition, repetition.”
The Dutchman says he has been pleased with the response so far.
He has brought in centre-half Hayden Carter on loan from Blackburn Rovers but, initially, will be relying on an improvement by the existing players.
“The players have been great and working really hard,” he said,
“We have good players who are underachieving and we need them to get at least their normal level back.
“When they do, we will get points on the board more regularly.
“Then it is up to us to get them into a better state than their normal selves – to get them to their top selves. That will give us a bigger chance of survival.
“We have to concentrate really hard on ourselves. We are the only ones who can get ourselves out of this situation.
“It’s not a time to point fingers, it’s time to look in the mirror and get the best of yourself out there, not as individuals, as a team.
“Everybody has a responsibility for their position. I think, in the last few matches, people have stepped away from their responsibility and that needs to be better.”
Fitness has always been another big plank in Hasselbaink’s philosophy. The first time he was at Burton, leading them to the League Two title, then the top of League One, they were reputedly the fittest team in the respective divisions.
“Games are coming thick and fast and they are played with high intensity, so we have to train with high intensity and players have to be able to run around for 96-100 minutes if they need to,” said Hasselbaink.
“That’s how I’ve always trained my lads. We need them to be superfit, able to close people down and press teams. All successful teams can do that, then, on top of that, they can also play with the ball.”
Hasselbaink’s enthusiasm shone through as he looked forward to the first game of his new spell in charge.
“I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“It’s a pressure you love to have, first as a player, now as a manager. Football is in the blood – it’s what you do and I’m very happy to have this opportunity.
“From Monday, it’s been 100mph. I feel the club has a big chance and I want to be part of that again.”