Rotherham United boss Alex Bruce's transfer window admission plus relationship with Steve McClaren
IN the past two-and-a-half months, Alex Bruce has poured all of his energies into building a new-look Rotherham United squad and forging on-pitch relationships within it.
The Millers may have made a modest start to life in League Two, but it was perhaps always to be expected, given that their number of new arrivals totals a sizeable 15.
It takes time for a new group of players to gel into a unit capable of winning games on a regular basis.
That will hopefully arrive down the road, yet Bruce is at least secure in the knowledge that, behind the scenes, everyone is pulling in the same direction with the club's extensive work in the second half of the summer testament to that.
Bruce said: "There's been so many phone calls and meetings and did we lose out on targets to other clubs?
"Yes of course we did, but I think every manager who sits here will tell you the same thing.
"But with the business that we've done with what we've had available, I think everyone's worked really hard and pulled together. I think the big thing for me is on the field, you need to be a tight-knit unit.
"But off the field you need to be a tight-knit unit as well so from the chairman down to the board and Rob Scott and Warren (Spalding) who've helped with the recruitment and Steve (McClaren).
"Everyone's been in all these regular meetings and worked tirelessly to try and build a squad that's competitive and hopefully we've done that."
The Millers have taken five points from a possible 15 thus far in their first foray into the fourth-tier since 2012-13, although in mitigation it’s been a pretty tough start to the campaign with the club facing the likes of York City, Chesterfield and Bristol Rovers.
Since arriving, Bruce has built a good working relationship in a short amount of time with the individual who appointed him in head of football Steve McClaren and is grateful to lean upon his vast experience in the game from managing England and working at Manchester United.
Bruce, inset, whose side welcome pre-season promotion favourites Salford City this weekend, added: "He's been great, I have to say.
"I think everyone knows it's my first job in the Football League and to have someone alongside me with the experience that he's had in the game has been great.
"He's a calm head. I can pick his brains and I'm really enjoying working with him."