Hasselbaink attracting admiring glances

SHARP DRESSER: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

AN extraordinary year in the life of Burton Albion rolls on, with success in Sky Bet League One following the club’s title-winning campaign last season.

Twelve months ago this week, the Brewers appeared to be in danger of failing to build on the promise of successive play-offs appearances.

Having dodged a bullet by turning down Blackpool, manager Gary Rowett decamped to Birmingham City and with him went the backroom team. At the time, Burton were sixth in the League Two table.

In came Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink — and the rest has been history in the making.

Former Leeds, Chelsea and Netherlands international striker Hasselbaink (43), previously manager at Royal Antwerp in Belgium, has already attracted attention of higher-level clubs.. Under his charge last season, Albion lost only three of their final 30 league games, finishing five points clear of

second-placed Shrewsbury and only six shy of the magic 100 mark.

This season back to back losses at Walsall and Fleetwood had threatened a mini-drought - ended with last Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Port Vale.

“What we are doing is incredible,” said Hasselbaink, preparing for Saturday’s visit to Oldham.

“We all know how things are here — but for us to be able to compete with the bigger boys in the league is very rewarding at the moment.

“We will keep on going, keep on fighting, but we have to give credit to the players. Their effort, commitment and the way they are playing at the moment is very good.”