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Harry Redknapp just about kept Birmingham up last season. It was a close call mind, with their Championship status only secured on the final day thanks to victory over Bristol City.

But the former Tottenham and West Ham boss reckons his achievement was not a patch on what Nigel Clough managed to do at Burton.

“Nigel performed a miracle last season," Redknappp Redknapp told BBC WM 95.6. "He could easily have been manager of the year for keeping them up."

This season is already proving tough for Clough. And Redknapp has warned that it could be another difficult one for his Blues side if they cannot add to summer signings David Stockdale, Marc Roberts, Cheikh N'Doye and Craig Gardner.

“It’s all about good players and it’s difficult to get them,” Redknapp added. “And the closer it gets to the window the harder it is."

Football can be stunningly simple. Nigel Clough's Burton are based on solid defence. It kept them up last year.

"In the last couple of games - when we've been on top, we've conceded," Clough said after his side's loss at Middlesbrough - their third in three in the league this season.

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"Certainly at Boro, we started the game well, then first attack, they scored. It's about not conceding that first goal.

"There was a statistic that when we scored the first goal last season, we never lost a game. That's how important the first goal is."

It's even more vital when you have only managed two shots on target in your three league games this season.

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With Usain Bolt being linked with a move to Burton Albion this week (well, sort of), it got us thinking about speedy footballers.

The office's resident Bristol City fan claims that Northern Ireland winger Ivan Sproule was particularly rapid in his day - but we want to hear about your memories of super-fast footballers.

Who's the nippiest player you've ever seen don your club's colours? Tell us by using #bbcefl on Twitter.

Speaking of new signing Sean Scannell, in case you missed the announcement a wee while ago, the Huddersfield Town winger has joined Burton Albion on a season-long loan.

And you can read all about it right here...

Birmingham forward Lukas Jutkiewicz starts for the first time this season, while Cheikh N'Doye is passed fit after coming off at half-time against Bolton.

Birmingham City: Stockdale, Nsue, Morrison, Roberts, Grounds, Davis, Gardner, N'Doye, Maghoma, Donaldson, Jutkiewicz.

Time to get up to speed with the line-ups.

Burton welcome back last season's top-scorer Jackson Irvine after suspension. But new signing Sean Scannell is not involved.

Burton Albion: Bywater, Naylor, McFadzean, Buxton, Murphy, Lund, Akins, Dyer, Sordell, Palmer, Irvine.

Let's not get off on the wrong footing here. If you are expecting a Championship goal-fest, you've probably come to the wrong place. I'm not going to lie to you.

Burton, played three, lost three, scored one. Birmingham, played three, scored two, with just the one win.

But it does mean both sides are desperate for a victory so hope springs eternal. I can't see Birmingham sitting back. And Burton cannot afford to be ultra defensive playing at home after their start.

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Talk of multiple Olympic champion and all-round superstar Bolt joining Burton was real throwaway stuff and manager Nigel Clough was not so keen.

But as Robinson told us, "It would definitely sell some shirts".

"If Nigel said it wouldn't happen then it wouldn't happen," Robinson added. "He doesn't like gimmicks. But with Usain Bolt there would be a bigger picture and you'd have to think about it. He's a legend."

What a spoilsport Nigel is. But he has more important things to worry about.

And anyway, I can't help thinking that not too many teams would be playing a high line if they were facing the pacy Jamaican.

Welcome to our live coverage of Burton and Birmingham, two teams who are desperate for a win. So let's get back to reality.

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He's wearing the right colours, looking resplendent in Burton black and yellow. But Usain Bolt won't be lining up for the Brewers against Birmingham tonight.

Now, this was never going to happen. But it's nice to dream and us good folk at BBC Sport spoke to Albion chairman Ben Robinson earlier this week to clarify tabloid chat about the sprinting legend being offered a trial...