NIGEL Clough is looking forward to a cracking opening day game at the Pirelli Stadium.
The Brewers take on Ipswich Town tomorrow (kick off 3pm) and the Albion manager is anticipating an entertaining game.
Clough said: “Somebody said to me that it could be a good time to play them, but you just don’t know. They could come flying on all cylinders and I think it will be a very good fixture. It’s two good footballing sides and I think it will be a great season opener. We are certainly delighted with it.
“When you get this kind of game first, everyone is excited about it and if you can get a good result and it’s an entertaining game then it whets everyone’s appetite for the rest of the season.”
Clough is happy with Albion’s pre-season progress and says there is a big contrast to a year ago when the hangover of relegation and injuries had a negative impact on his squad.
He said: “We are much better prepared mentally and physically than we were 12 month ago and we just sense there is a determination amongst the players to get off to a better start than we did last season.
“You always want to get off to a good start. If you win your first game, it boosts confidence and that’s what we will be trying to do.”