Burton Albion’s August Review: Mason signs

During this break from the Championship for internationals, we review how all 24 teams have looked in their first five league games. Here’s our assessment of Burton Albion.

What we said in pre-season

“While Burton’s squad might have reduced in size, barring expired loan deals it hasn’t in quality. Stephen Warnock and Jake Buxton add experience at the back while Liam Boyce hit 23 in the SPL last year. Most neutrals expect the Brewers to go down, but then, this isn’t a club that conforms to expectation. 21st“

Have they surprised us so far?

Their form is on a par with what we expected. Every game has been a battle but their work ethic along with flashes of quality has helped them to enough good results to stay above the dotted line. Boyce was tipped to be their main man but picked up an untimely injury, so the goalscoring burden lies with Joe Mason, who netted 31 seconds into his Pirelli debut.

The positives

After a difficult first half against Birmingham which saw them fall 1-0 down, Burton started the second half with real intent and scored two excellent goals to secure victory. Nigel Clough said that night that Lucas Akins had been their best player in August and the week after against Sheffield Wednesday, the speedy forward impressed once again.

The negatives

There is room for improvement at the back: only Norwich and Bolton have conceded more than their nine. Three came when they had 10-men at Hull, but Cardiff, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday could have scored more than one had they brought their shooting boots. Burton’s defensive prospects hinge on the fitness of centre-back Ben Turner, who despite a full campaign last season, only started 16 league games in the previous two.

Late business

John Brayford’s arrival was important. He is more experienced in the right wing-back role than Matty Lund, who deputized there against Birmingham and more suited to it’s defensive requirements than Lucas Akins. The other deadline day additions of midfielder Jamie Allen and forward Will Miller means the squad has strength beyond the first eleven, which couldn’t be said last term.

The Football Lab’s Grade

Given that Burton haven’t yet lost to a side outside the top nine, logic would suggest they’ll improve once they get beyond this tricky opening phase. C