Hasselbaink sounds like he's streets ahead of Sherwood already.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says hard training is key to Burton's successBurton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes his side are benefiting from a demanding training regime between matches.
The Brewers currently sit three points clear at the top of League One, a position Hasselbaink says is the direct result of hard work done on the training pitch.
"When we have no mid-week game, Tuesday is a hard working day for us. Something we've always done - 90 minutes of hard graft," explained the former Chelsea and Leeds striker.
"We need it. That football, that fitness, playing under stress, all of it is relevant to the game. Sometimes in a game, you are tired but the work and expectations don't stop.
"So why wouldn't you replicate that in training? And I appreciate the efforts of my players - they work hard for me, and for themselves."
"All I can control is to make us competitive on the pitch, and make sure the boys are ready for whatever might come their way in the next game. Enforce them to express themselves, enjoy themselves, and play the game with a smile on their face."
A typical Burton training session includes an hour of endurance running, agility exercises, strength work, and extended sprints; all interspersed with two-sided games, where Hasselbaink demands that the goalkeepers can't kick the ball, and 90% of passes should be on the ground.
Despite this, the 43 year-old, who twice won the Premier League's Golden Boot, admits that he would still rather be playing football than managing.
"Yeah, because you miss that. Even when it's a tough session," he said.
"When you have to dig really deep and suffer, but afterwards you are so happy you've done it. You know the rewards. To know that, and experience that, it's nice.
"Sometimes you have to give that to the players - the information that once they retire, they will miss days like today, even though they're hurting now."
Hasselbaink's rigorous attitude towards training has proved successful since his arrival at the Pirelli Stadium. The former Netherlands international guided Burton to promotion last season, in his first job as a manager in England, leading to the club's first ever spell in League One.
Undaunted, with one defeat in 11 matches in all competitions, Burton are top of the table - the club's highest ever league position.
"I didn't come into this league with any expectations," admitted the Dutchman.
"I just wanted to make sure we were prepared as much as possible, to be competitive. No targets, just be free spirited - in the right way, in that we are organised and turn up in every match."
Hasselbaink has since attracted interest from bigger clubs. Rotherham made an approach last week, which was turned down by Burton.
"Flattering, and rewarding for my staff," said Hasselbaink, who also moved to play down any premature talk of back-to-back promotions.
"No, we have only played 11 matches, that isn't 25% of the league yet, and so it's far too early to start thinking about things like that."
Burton's early success this season has been built on the back of a solid defensive unit. Whilst the Brewers have scored just 13 goals in 11 League One games, they've conceded just seven times - the second lowest in the division after Walsall.
"We do a lot of defensive work," explained Hasselbaink.
"I'm a big believer in that to be successful, you have to be organised and have a good defence. You don't become champions or successful with a team that gets a lot of goals against."
But does that come naturally to a player who always played with flair and freedom, and scored goals aplenty?
"You can still have that, need that," he says.
"But the game has changed - you need a tight unit. You need clean sheets. You need that to be successful. If you are too open, and have a club that says 'I don't care how many we concede, we will score one more': that's fine. But that's not me.
"The most important thing for me is to not concede goals. If we score some, happy days, but the most important thing is not to concede."http://www.footballepl.com/newsdata?id=ADFCFC0B000001504D8B0EB11CFC2951
