Burton Albion Season Preview: beating expectations

When The Football Lab first interviewed Adam Drew three years ago, he suggested that making the League Two play-offs for a third straight season would be a good achievement for a club of Burton Albion’s size. The club has instead defied all expectations, winning back-to-back promotions before staying up in a division few supporters thought they would ever enter. Adam returns to discuss how the Brewers have relished the underdog tag…

The fact we were not long ago in League Two, and are now locking horns with so many big clubs without looking out of place is something to relish. We’ve been an underdog in virtually every game we’ve played, only bookies favourites something like 4 times all season yet stayed up for a second season.

Jon McLaughlin played key roles in your previous promotion campaigns, but has been released this summer. Do you expect a goalkeeper to come in?

I am expecting some sort of movement. Whether it be a young keeper on loan, or an experienced keeper from elsewhere. As good as Stephen Bywater was when he played the final 4 games after McLaughlin’s injury, I don’t see him as a regular number 1. And the other keepers are inexperienced youngsters.

John Mousinho has captained Burton in all three Football League divisions. Are you pleased he has signed on for another year?

He is a leader, and an influential player. So I am pleased he’s chosen to stay. He could have gone elsewhere for a guarantee of regular games or more money. But chose to continue the adventure with us, as he has done since we were a League Two club when Gary Rowett signed him.

You played three at the back in more than half your games last season. With Jake Buxton and Stephen Warnock adding experience, are you happy with the defensive depth?

It will add plenty of experience, know how, and depth. With Warnock being a solid left back it will give us a decent option when we do have a flat 4-4-2.

Buxton’s infectious passion is something our fans remember fondly from his first spell when we were non league too. We need more strength on the right side of defence after Tom Flanagan let us down the day before pre season training. But I’m sure that will come.

You were quite adventurous early in the season using Lucas Akins and Lloyd Dyer as wing-backs, that worked well against Derby and Birmingham. Could they be deployed in those positions again?

I can see that, the attacking power with them two was impressive and surprised a few clubs. I’m sure the formations will be utilised on what the opponents are doing too.

If you play with wing-backs, is it important you’ve got midfielders who can score? New signing Matty Lund and Jackson Irvine – if he stays – both got double figures last season…

That’s a big IF on Jackson, but the midfield chipping in with goals is important. It certainly was last season when our strikers didn’t score a great deal. But hopefully Liam Boyce and the midfielders chip in this season.

Matty Lund does look a quality signing as well. I can see him stepping up to Championship football no problem.

You’ve managed to retain loanee Luke Murphy but not John Brayford. Did you hope to get the latter back?

Yes, especially with the need for a right back since Tom Flanagan left us despite originally agreeing a contract.

Brayford was a terrific loan signing this season, but unfortunately a permanent deal seems pie in the sky.

New signing Liam Boyce proved himself a natural goalscorer in the SPL last term while Marvin Sordell has some pace about him. Do you see them linking up well this year?

I relish the thought of them two linking up in attacking moves. Sordell is a tricky customer and has fitted in after needing some time to settle. Hopefully with Dyer on the wing to cause problems too, Liam Boyce will get the service needed to create space and chances.

What are your thoughts ahead of the Championship season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

I think Ipswich could surprise a few people after a few mediocre finishes by their standards. They seem to have made a few decent signings, and are a club who seem to be staying loyal to the manager despite a poor season last time around.

Preston are another I think, with them replacing Grayson with a manager who’s been successful at this level.

Where will you finish? You were spot on with 20th last time…

That wasn’t a bad guess then was it? Hmm, I’ll go with 19th this time. We have a stronger squad this season so far, but teams will not underestimate us after we stung them last season.

The Football Lab’s Verdict

While Burton’s squad might have reduced in size, barring expired loan deals it hasn’t in quality. Warnock and Buxton add experience at the back while 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