Grimsby v Burton Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 09/10/2009

A TRANSFORMED Mike Newell made a visit to one of his old stomping grounds and it seemed to have an effect. A defiant 2-0 victory at League One Hartlepool has softened the blow of a pretty depressing weekend at Barnet.

A great win is all well and good in the Johnstone Trophy but as we've learnt to our cost before the tin of paint you get for doing well in the competition isn't enough to paint over a poor league campaign. Barnet looks to have been a breaking point for Newell if his recent interview on Humberside is anything to go on. Newell is talking about shipping out those who have failed to produce in the poor start to the season while new acquisitions are being considered, most probably on emergency loans, with a view of a permanent deal. While Newell himself seems to have changed his demeanour during matches if reports from Hartlepool are correct, he’s active and barks instructions to his players instead of limbering up for his next gold medal in musical statues. Though deep down Newell may not think it does anything and isn't giving his team an edge it’s the superficial effect it has on us fans, as we believe he now actually does something during a match.

Their History...

Burton has predominantly been a rugby union town and it wasn't until 1950 that Burton Albion was formed prior to this several teams had tried and failed to become the prominent team in the town. Burton Swifts, Town, United and Wanderers were all given ago before the Brewers were established. Joining the Birmingham and District league promotions and a steady rise ensued and not unlike ourselves the FA weren't always a 100% certain where to place us in the north, south divide, Burton sporadically played in both just below the National Conference for a time. In 2003 The Brewers were promoted to the Conference and joined us up here in the Football League this season.

Last Season Was....

Was a naturally impressive one Burton dealt with the loss of long-term manager Nigel Clough as well as they could after he fled up the road to now local rivals Derby County. The club averted a stumble half way through the season as there lead was been slowly eaten away at managing to secure the Championship on the last day of the season despite losing to also promoted Torquay.

This Season....

Paul Peschisolido (Peter Handyside flinches) has taken over and is building Burton under his own vision. Hopefully not one that goes in very late for a challenge after only 30 seconds of a match and has so far managed to create a steady team who are sat exactly in mid-table. After two fairly heavy defeats (Shrewsbury 3-1, Reading 5-1) in the first 2 matches of the season you could imagine heads dipping but Burton rallied thumping Morecambe 5-2 in their first home match of the season and from then have made steady but confident progress impressively taking a point at Notts County when they were ripping up trees left, right and centre. 2 defeats in late September against promotion chasing Bournemouth and Dag and Red drop them down a couple of places as they found themselves up in the echelons of the play offs but a win on Saturday against Rochdale was a much needed one ending a run of 6 without a win.

Their Biggest Hero Is... Nigel Clough

Nigel Clough joined wet eared and inexperienced but his steady progress with Burton made them one of the favourites for promotion for a few seasons before accomplishing it without him last year. The deal at Derby was an impossible one for Clough to decline the most obvious links aside considering the past. Derby are a club with a huge fan base and the chance to see what he could do was too tempting. Burton quietly took the loss in their stride and asked Roy McFarland to take over as caretaker for the rest of the season before Burton announced that Peschisolido would be taking the helm in the summer. Nevertheless Cough’s influence still resonates around the club and it must have been disappointment to him that he himself didn't take Burton to the Football League.

The Future Is....

Great if Burton can steady themselves in the League and stay here for the next few years they can improve on their increasing attendances and capture the imagination of the locals. The Pirelli Stadium is a beautiful new stadium not far from their old home just down the road and reeks of a club wanting and expecting to go places.

Most Famous Players to Wear the Shirt...

Daryl Clare? Maybe not but our former striker and a legend of 1998 graced Burton for a time becoming the natural goal scorer he is and is remembered fondly for his time there also Steve Chettle spent a little time in Burton. Other than former Town players Burton have had the privilege of having, Eddie Shimwell, Mark Robins, Steve Cotterill, Andy Sinton and of course Nigel Clough.

Key Player... Greg Pearson

Greg Pearson learnt his footballing trade like many of the greats at The West Ham Academy and while there moved to a couple of clubs hoping to impress on loan both at Lincoln and Canvey Island. Rushden took him on a free in 2005 scoring just 1 in 29 matches and was sent to Hucknall to redeem himself. Burton took a punt on him last year and has repaid their faith in spades. 22 goals in 50 appearances has been enough to leave him as the main goal scorer at the club and with 4 already this season it seems Pearson has been able to manage the step up to the football league

Prediction

Grimsby 2-0 Burton

Random Fact

Barry Conlon committed the most fouls with out receiving a card (52) in the whole of League Two last season. If only the same could be said for this season.

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