The Opposition View: Burton Albion

Last updated : 05 September 2014 By Jim Bonner

You must be happy with how Burton's season has started. Is automatic promotion the aim this season?

I think it has to be. The first play-off campaign under our current management team was dismissed as an over-achievement but the second and the subsequent trip to Wembley showed that we weren't a flash in the pan.

Rowett is an ambitious manager and he's always looked to bring in equally ambitious players who have previous experience of football at a higher level and who feel they have unfinished business there. 

None of us want play-off heartache for a third year on the spin. That sounds almost ridiculous coming from a club the size of ours but if you're not pushing for the highest possible league position then what's the point? 

Are you satisfied with your club's business during the transfer window? 

Very. The players we've signed have all noticeably improved us in areas we needed it and personally speaking I think the sale of BIlly Kee happened at a good time for all parties concerned.

After last season has the Burton fans' opinion of Gary Rowett changed?

Hopefully. There was an element of our support that were constantly on his back last season despite the fact that we were doing well.  The brand of football we were playing wasn't considered "the Burton way" but the priority last season was always to make us a nightmare to play against and extremely tough to beat since we were soft as shit under Paul Peschisolido. 

Being a "small club" we have limited resources so everything was focused on how we defend.  Now we've got that in order we're trying to get our attacking mojo going.  He's always said that we're a "work in progress" and the hardcore Burton supporters have always been behind him.  I'd like to think he's gradually winning over the doubters. 

It may be early in the season but who have been the standout performers so far? 

Stuart Beavon, Lucas Akins and George Taft.  Granted it's early days but Beavon looks far too good for League Two and the Preston fans' disappointment at losing him almost proves the point. 

We initially got him on loan but PNE cancelled his contract and he signed a three year contract on deadline day. The move happened because his other half lives within spitting distance of the Pirelli and he wanted to settle down in the area. Our management team successfully sold the idea of playing for Burton to him and he agreed. 

Akins is a big, pacey winger who is difficult to take the ball from and even more difficult to stop going forward. Imagine a lower league Paulo Wanchope...almost. 

Taft is a young lad (left back/centre half) who was released by Leicester.  Spent some time on loan at York last season and news of us signing him was met with howls of derision by York fans but he has been flawless for us so far.  We beat QPR in the cup not long ago and I think Shaun Wright-Phillips is still in his back pocket although I'm not entirely sure how much of a boast that is these days.

What are the biggest weaknesses in your team that Pompey could exploit on Sunday? 

A possible lack of pace at the back and a goalkeeper who is slightly suspect with his positioning.  We also can be incredibly wayward with our shooting. 

Are there any players in the Pompey side that Burton fans will be particularly wary of? 

I think I mentioned Ricky Holmes last season since he's done well against us in the past.  The lad Wallace seemed to make waves last season and looks like he's got a bright future ahead of him and Craig Westcarr looks like he's got off to a flyer this season.  I think given Pompey's start to the season we'll just be wary of Pompey in general. 

What kind of match will you be expecting in front of the Sky cameras? 

Incredibly tight and hopefully entertaining since we (understandably) had a reputation last season of being negative and dull.  The manager has signed players to make us more mobile up front and give us a lot more attacking threat than we had in the last campaign.  

Predict the outcome of the game. 

Brewers 1 - 0 Pompey