Burton Albion (h) Preview

Andy – Obviously Saturday went badly (Burton lost 5-0 away at Leeds), what happened?

Adam – To tell the truth, I was one of the fans who didn’t go because Leeds were charging an extortionate lb37 for a ticket.

But it sounded like a combination between Leeds being on top form and Burton Albion having a nightmare. Leeds having 30 shots on goal to our 1 does highlight a mismatch on the day. And it’s now 11 away goals conceded in 3 away games. A pattern we definitely don’t want to see continue.

Andy – lb37 is extortionate, fair play for refusing to pay it.

Lots of people predicted you guys would struggle this season, given your budget, the spine of your side being picked up over the summer and then that horrific injury to your record summer signing Liam Boyce, which has ruled him out for the season. Are things that bleak or is there more to be positive about than meets the eye from the outside?

Adam – We have had a pretty tough start. With the first 3 games alone being a Cardiff team who’ve enjoyed a great start, followed by 2 trips to relegated clubs. But it was an absolute body blow to lose our club record signing to such a freak injury. Whilst Jackson Irvine’s departure was another big blow, as much as everybody was expecting it to happen.

I think Nigel did recruit well in the end though. He is known to have a patient approach, with his desire for players to be the right character as well as just the right ability.

I do think most of our success would be achieved in home games again this season. With away teams not being accustomed to the compact nature of the Pirelli Stadium still.

Andy – We certainly struggled there last season. Is survival the aim again or because this is your 2nd season in the Championship are expectations growing?

Adam – Staying in The Championship for another year is our aim again. With the club considering what to do with the ground if we do get a 3rd season of Championship football.

That would be a big success if we could, with the ever growing gulf in budget and quality between Burton Albion, and most other clubs in this league. With more clubs throwing money around, like Wolves, as well as clubs getting big parachute payments.

Andy – It’s a delicate balance as clubs like Yeovil, Doncaster, Blackpool etc have all found. You now have Jez Moxey on the board, how’s that gone down with fans? He was strongly disliked here and despised at Wolves. Do you trust him to find that balance?

Adam – Absolutely. And with respect, Doncaster and Blackpool are both miles bigger. Although Blackpool’s problems seemed to come through their ownership war.

There had been mixed reaction on social media about Jez Moxey, with some getting sceptical as soon as the Wolves and Norwich fans took to social media. Others said that if our chairman trusts him, then they will. Because Ben Robinson’s overseen our rise without any hiccups and with him being prudent with the club’s finances throughout. Even taking the club on when Burton were in grave danger financially in non-league and saving us. It’s just so hard to judge Ben Robinson.

But on Jez, nobody’s heard a thing about him since that day he got appointed.

I’d seen a Daily Mail snippet claim he’s took a non-exec role just to keep his seat on the EFL board. Wouldn’t know what to believe with the Daily Fail coming out with it though.

Andy – A very good point.

I think with us he was the wrong man at the wrong time and was almost too safe a pair of hands when we needed something radical.

Personally, I’m a big fan of how you’ve come through the leagues, having done it while retaining the link with the community (ahem Billericay) so I hope it works out from Wednesday onwards.

On to Tuesday what should we be expecting from you, who should we be wary of and where might we find some joy?

Adam – We have got Luke Murphy coming back into the fold, after he was ineligible against his parent club on Saturday. He’s a midfielder who breaks up play well and has a good eye for a pass.

We have good options in midfield, with Matty Lund stepping up to the Championship well after joining from Rochdale along with Sean Scannell, Marvin Sordell, Lucas Akins, Lloyd Dyer and many more able to play on the wings, or up front if needed.

But our defence is an issue for me, particularly away. With a fair few of them being over 30, and not being able to handle it when teams really go at them on the bigger pitches. We sometimes operate with wing backs too, which is all good with creating chances, but it exposes pockets of space if the other team breaks. Especially with defenders who are on the wrong side of 30.

Andy – The way Farke has got us playing, emphasising keeping the ball and working midfield triangles could see your Murphy as one of the key men (our own Josh Murphy has started the season well for us) and the enforced rest may prove a blessing in disguise.

Finally, how do you think it’ll finish up?

Adam – We will be looking for a reaction after the heavy defeat on Saturday, but Norwich is always a tough place to visit. I think it will be 2-0 to you guys, obviously hope I’m wrong. Especially with Clough saying he wanted to get something from these 2 away games, rather than thumped I suspect.

Andy – We’d happily take 2-0. You could easily nick something as we’re very much a work in progress, but if we score first, we should see it out.