DINO Maamria says his squad have used the enforced break from playing games to get valuable time together.
After a two-week gap between matches due to the international break, the Brewers manager said: “It’s been really good for us, and we have got a lot of work done. There has been a lot of hard work for us as expected, not a rest really.
“It wasn’t just about getting some fitness in the players but also about the structure of the team going forward.
“We reflected on the first six games of the season. We looked at the things we try and do well; the things we need to do better and we have used these two weeks to try and get as close as we can to where we need to be. It was a good chance to review and reflect on where we are.
“We are not where we want to be but looking back at it one game at a time we can see that due to injuries we weren’t able to keep a consistent shape and line up and to add to that we have 12 new players, that’s 50 per cent of the squad. We have used this period to gel them together and get them up to speed.”
Maamria was hoping that there would be more good news on the injury front but he’s likely to still be without three key team members at Barnsley on Saturday.
Cole Stockton will need a scan on a calf injury and is joined on the injury list by Mason Bennett and skipper John Brayford.
Maamria said: “Cole is still out. We thought he was close last week but he’s still not training with the group and has a problem with his calf now. We lost Mason last week and John blocked a shot in training and tweaked his knee and he is doubtful. It’s not ideal but injuries are part and parcel of the game."
The Brewers know that a trip to Barnsley is never easy.
Maamria said: “A lot of teams have been inconsistent at the start of the season, but we know Barnsley are a good team and a good club who were unfortunate not to get promoted last season and will be determined to make sure they get back to the Championship. But our players are well prepared and ready for Barnsley.”