LUKE Murphy re-joined Burton Albion on a season-long loan from Leeds United on Monday, and admitted that a key factor of his return was to play under the manager Nigel Clough.
He said: "Coming back and playing under him was a big factor and also all the lads in the dressing room welcomed me with open arms and I'm sure we can kick on and improve on last year."
And now the 27-year-old wants to build on what Burton Albion achieved last season.
"Last season was the first season in the Championship so nobody really knew what could happen, said Murphy. "Obviously we proved that we are a Championship side. We survived and it was closer than what we thought on the last game but it felt more comfortable than what it said on the table.
"We need to build on that going into this season and improve on last season. There were some games where we dropped points where we could have picked up a draw or we conceded a last-minute goal so hopefully we can push up the table and finish higher than last year."
Murphy made 19 league appearances for the Brewers last season, after his January loan move, so he's pleased to be returning to familiar surroundings.
He said: "Coming back to surroundings that I know always helps. I've been made to feel really welcome, the gaffer kept in touch with me all through the summer and once he said that he spoke to Leeds and they made it clear that I I wasn't in their plans, coming here for a season-long loan was a no-brainer for me.
"I came in in January last year and hadn't played a game really in the first part of the season and hadn't trained much so for me to get a good pre season under my belt and playing under a manager that I feel believes in me, and playing with the group of lads that we've got, for me I just need to push myself, improve on last season and try and contribute to the team and help us stay in the Championship."