The 2012/13 season might be over but preparations for the Brewers’ 2013/14 campaign have already begun.
Burton were genuine automatic promotion contenders up to and including the penultimate match of the npower League 2 campaign before eventually losing out to Bradford City in the play-offs.
Although hugely disappointing to miss out on promotion, Manager Gary Rowett believes the Brewers’ terrific previous campaign is already reaping rewards.
‘There has already been a knock on effect with players who want to join the club’ says Rowett.
‘I think it also shows that the conversations I have with the players about what we can achieve aren’t just empty words.
‘These people can see that we’ve done it and we’re capable of doing it and that will stand us in good stead when we’re looking to attract players.’
The stands at the Pirelli have fallen quiet following the season finale against Bradford; with the Brewers not returning to competitive action again until August.
However off the pitch, work continues at a pace and for Rowett; preparations for next season are ongoing.
‘It’s probably been busier! A lot of planning has to go into pre-season and into making signings.
‘To make one signing probably takes around 50 phone calls and involves watching 10 to 20 DVDs of matches just to make sure that player is the right person. We did that last season and it worked very well.
Player personnel is one aspect of post and pre-season that will be crucial to Burton’s hopes of going one better than the play-offs in 2013/14.
One area the Brewers used effectively last season was the loan market and it is an avenue Rowett will look to utilise again.
‘I think we have to use it again if we can and it’s an excellent market if you use it the right way.
‘We tended to use it as a long-term stance in the summer with the likes of Anthony O’Connor for a season and then we used it short-term at various points throughout the season. We’re in a slightly different position this season and we’ll make permanent signings when we can but there is good value to be had by the club on loan signings.’
As well as the potential arrival of incoming players, Rowett is adamant that the Brewers already have the nucleus of a very good team ahead of next season’s challenge.
‘It’ll be nice to get one or two extra players in quite soon which we’re trying to do but I think we’ve got a decent group at the moment and I think it needs careful additions.
‘I’m sure the squad we’ll have in place by the 28th June when we’re back will be a good enough squad to hopefully improve again.’
Hear the full interview with Gary Rowett on Brewers Player from Friday, 24th May.