How To Beat… Burton Albion

Welcome to the first instalment of the ‘How to Beat’ series.

In this series, we will look at how to beat certain teams by discussing their playing style, strengths and weaknesses.

Featuring this week is Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion, who recently travelled to table-topping Wycombe Wanderers, boasting a record of 6 wins from the past 7 meetings between the two clubs.

As the Brewers lined up, the first thing I noticed was how physical their back 4 looked, particularly the centre half Jake Buxton and right back Lucas Akins.

Akins used to play at right back before, but this is definitely not his preferred position. I’ve always known him more as a right winger or centre forward.

It must be noted that Burton were without the very influential John-Joe O’Toole, a big miss for the Brewers.

Lineup

1. O’Hara — GK

10. Akins — RB

18. Nartey — CB

5. Buxton — CB

3. Daniels — LB

11. Templeton — RW

7. Quinn — CM

6. Wallace — CM

8. Fraser — RW

27. Boyce — AM

14 . Sbarra — CF

Formation/Shape

· 4–4–1–1

· Templeton, Sbarra and Fraser interchange constantly to vary the threat and to try and cause the opposition problems.

· In possession, the two full backs push up high, leaving the two centre backs effectively on their own. However, the two centre midfielders alternate dropping deep into either full back position to get on the ball and start attacks.

· When going forward, the formations almost turns in to a 2–4–3–1 with the full backs pushing alongside the centre midfielders, the wingers push up to form a 3 behind the centre forward.

Strengths

· Boyce is a physical presence up top, equally comfortable in aerial duals as well as receiving the ball into feet.

· Sbarra offers a very pacey threat going forward. Can close the GK down very quickly so teams must be mindful of this.

· Akins is a huge threat going forward with his pace and physical presence. This is why the push the full backs up high, with Daniels on the left and Akins on the right capable of causing the opposition a number of problems. In the second half, Akins was pushed up front alongside Boyce, forming a physical front two.

· Quinn is a very experienced ballplayer in that central midfield. His passing is excellent and uses his experience constantly talking to the referee trying to influence decisions. This should be noted by all opposition.

Weaknesses

· The back 4, whilst being physical, lacked pace. By pushing the two full backs on when in possession, this exposed the centre backs to a high press. Not overly comfortable in possession, the high press caused them problems and often forcing the long ball. They could be in real trouble if the centre backs or one of the midfielders dropping deep lost possession, as the full backs are too high to get back into possession. A lot of trust is placed in the centre backs and central midfielders to retain possession and get attacks started.

· Staying with the back 4, they are not the tallest. The centre backs struggled with balls into chest or feet of the opposition centre forward. I feel they would really struggle against a centre forward of 6’2 or taller.

· Templeton — this could be seen as a strength and weakness — majorly left footed. He started on the right wing and cut in every time. Opposition should always look to show him onto his much weaker right foot. Templeton twice got into dangerous positions, but the Wycombe defence knew to show him on to his weaker foot and twice he fluffed his shots.

· Buxton — Lacks pace, if he can be isolated, he is very beatable by someone with pace. Is often trusted in possession from short goal kicks or when playing out from the back. A high press will rush him and may often lead to a mistake.

· Very susceptible to a floated corner to the far post. Burton conceded a goal from one of these set pieces and others caused problems.

How to beat Burton Albion

· High press.

· Pacey centre forwards, focussing supply in behind or into feet.

· Late in the game, a more physical centre forward will have a huge impact.

· Be mindful of the long diagonal to the full backs that push high up.

· Deal with the pace of Sbarra and be wary of the alternation of Templeton, Sbarra and Fraser.

· Be conscientious that they have the ability to go more direct, inputting Akins up front to change their style.

· Corners — susceptible to a floated delivery to the back post with opposition players attacking the ball on the run.

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