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Werder report card

Ross DunbarMay 23, 2014

Werder Bremen were not one of the teams to keep you engrossed in the Bundesliga - but their job is done. Ross Dunbar assesses Robin Dutt's work this season.

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Aaron Hunt says goodbye after 13 years.
Image: Getty Images

Werder Bremen managed to open up a sizeable amount of breathing space between their eventual finishing spot of 12th and the relegation strugglers below. Although the final standings might paint a standard picture, Bremen certainly had to scrap for their survival.

Even two weeks into the season with six points from their opening two fixtures (Eintracht Braunschweig and FC Augsburg), the writing was still on the wall. But intermittent spells of great form and some seriously dogged performances – the 3-2 win over Nürnberg, the 4-4 at Hoffenheim and the 1-0 win over Leverkusen all spring to mind – added the all-important points to the board.

Pivotally in comparison to their relegation rivals, at no point this season did Werder Bremen go week-after-week without winning. A very significant, but perhaps forgotten, scribble on the club's report card this season was their 3-1 defeat at 1.FC Saarbrucken in the first round of the German Cup.

Key player:

In his final season at the Weser-Stadion, Aaron Hunt did his chances of finding a new club no harm at all. Hunt embodied the Bremen struggle this season, metaphorically dragging other players along by the scruff of the neck when the chips were down. With seven goals to his name, he was Bremen's joint highest goalscorer – netting two on his final outing at the Weser against Hertha on matchday 33.

Surprise player:

You would have been hard pushed to find someone with much background knowledge on Santiago Garcia when he joined Werder Bremen this summer. Despite having featured in Serie A in 2012-13, his former side Palermo were relegated. But the 25-year-old full-back has been one of few bright spots when it comes to defenders in Bremen. He's quick, strong in the tackle and loves bombing forward. In his debut season in Germany, he scored three goals, including a priceless winner over Bayer Leverkusen.

Robin Dutt und Thomas Eichin
Robin Dutt has steadied the ship after Schaaf's exit in 2013.Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Coach:

Robin Dutt may have done as a good a job as anyone in the Bundesliga this season. While Bremen are hardly blessed with talent and quality, Dutt installed a fighting mentality in a team languishing at the lower end of the table. You only need to look 45 minutes north to see how difficult installing that mentality can be (HSV). Many had Bremen as the team set to finish second-bottom this season, and Dutt's positive work kicked off the season in style with two consecutive wins.

What's next?

Progression -- Werder Bremen accepted in 2013 that a rebuilding process was required after the long-term reign of Thomas Schaaf. From the title-winning team of 2004 to the group regularly in the Champions League, Werder's resources have been decimated. The departure of Aaron Hunt this summer marks a significant turning point for the club, discarding what has been won in the past for a new-look, fresh team. Dutt has to take Werder Bremen up a level next season to be a top-half club.

Grade: B-

They were tipped by most to face relegation this season, but they've survived comfortably. Robin Dutt deserves another throw of the dice with some support and backing in the transfer market.