Clough Tells Troops To Take No Prisoners From Day One!!
Saturday, 6th Aug 2011 12:07 by Daniel J Sewart

Well it’s the opening day of the season and in some ways Rams fans meet it with as much trepidation as they do excitement. Nigel Clough wants his team to take on the first game and build a home ground advantage from the off.

With the jury still out on whether Glick and the owners of DCFC have backed Nigel Clough in the shopping department – the season ahead could be one of upward movement or a continuation of the struggle experienced in recent years.

Nine signings have been made but many will argue that the most crucial – a fact bemoaned by Nigel himself – have not been filled.

The need for an experienced and creative head in the midfield and a presence at Centre forward are important but despite Nigel handing Glick his list their arrival is still awaited along with the promised football director to assist in such matters.

These things may be weighed up if things go wrong for the Rams in 11/12 as from the outside, you could still argue the promised financial support in the transfer market is still unfulfilled, especially when a large sum was made from the Varney transfer.

I don’t want to hear people calling for Nigel’s head this season - if he is once again the victim of a lack of adventure in the transfer market - you feel the team will need to improve greatly or fans patience will run out - even if there is a more deserved target.

Despite these worries Nigel is neither a man of excuses nor one to shy away from the challenge ahead and speaking to the official site he wants his troops to hit the ground running:

"Pre-season wasn't ideal for us with injuries and what have you but we rounded things off with a win against Aston Villa, which gave everyone a lift.”

"We will be stressing to the players that although things haven't gone as smoothly as we would have hoped during pre-season, let’s get out there and have a right go.”

"I suppose the troubles we've had has brought the players closer together."

"To start at home is perfect for us. We have a chance to set our stall out for the season and show how we want to play.”

"Birmingham have lost a few players over the summer, but Chris Hughton knows what it takes to get a Club straight back up to the Premier League and they still have a very good squad.”

"We have to make it uncomfortable for them and get the crowd right behind us from the off."

With Jamie Ward, Jason Shackell, James Bailey and Craig Bryson all returning to fitness and likely to play a part today, Clough will be buoyed by this with his only major worry an injury to Nathan Tyson.

The 2 – 0 win over Aston Villa will give the club a massive boost for today’s opening match as a victory over a top flight team should.

We can only hope today will mark the start of a positive season for the Clough, the club and its loyal supporters.

Questions will be asked and questions will be answered in 11/12.

Perhaps unlike questions of the past, these answers will be ones we want to hear.