What are the factors behind Burton Albion’s recent League success?

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With only one game left in the 2015/16 League One season, it’s looking almost certain that Burton Albion will be playing Championship football next season. After being in a two horse race for the second automatic promotion spot with Walsall, it looks all set to be the Brewers who have pipped them at the post. They have taken the league by storm this year, albeit slightly surprisingly, but what has made them stand out from the majority of the other teams?

For their fans, the last couple of seasons have been nothing short of extraordinary. They have seen their team rise from the doldrums of League Two to the cusp of Championship football. This is down to a number of factors, but the most prominent is the instrumental effect Chairman Ben Robinson has had on the club. Under his chairmanship, Burton have seen shrewd managerial appointments, a move to the Pirelli Stadium, and the financial side of the club looked after superbly. After manager Gary Rowett left in the middle of the 2014/15 season, it was down to Robinson to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Rowett had helped successfully build the foundations of a squad ready to push for promotion to League One, however when Birmingham City came inquiring after his services he left the Pirelli Stadium for St Andrews. Robinson made the bold move of appointing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

In only his second ever managerial job Hasselbaink had a lot to prove to The Brewers fans. After just over a year in charge, he had not only won over the fans but had attracted attention from all over the country. He led Burton to a convincing League Two title, and had them sitting at the summit of League One before Championship side QPR poached him. Hasselbaink had not just built on the foundations left by Gary Rowett; he had turned them into a well-oiled machine. It also left Chairman Ben Robinson with another tough managerial appointment to make. The job was given to ex player/manager Nigel Clough. Unlike Hasselbaink, Clough has a vast amount of managerial experience in the football League, with roles at Derby County, Sheffield United and Burton in the past. Under his management, Clough has seen Burton fall to 2nd place, although that is mostly down to the charge of Wigan Athletic to the League One summit.

Still though Burton have continued to impress many spectators. Perhaps the most impressive factor is the unity of the squad. In similar circumstances to Leicester City, they don’t have the luxury players that others around them possess, but every player plays for each other. It’s this team spirit which has helped carry them to their current position. Star striker Lucas Akins has reiterated this in recent weeks, saying “it’s not quality or technical ability that you need, but the heart and desire to get over the line”.

Fellow teammates such as John Mousinho and Phil Edwards also carry this mentality from their years of experience in the Football League. The pair of them have played 95 games at the heart of the defence this season, and have a combined total of 710 league appearances in their career. Burton may not have the budget of fellow League One clubs like Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United, but the experience in their squad is something arguably money can’t buy.

Burton have struggled slightly to score freely this season, scoring 24 less goals than the title winning Latics. But they have a knack for scoring goals when it matters most. This applies to their most prolific forward Lucas Akins too. With winning goals against Swindon Town, Sheffield United and a winning hat-trick against Colchester, his total of 12 league goals have included some vital match winners. His latest important strike came in this weekend’s crucial 2-1 home victory over Gillingham.

On the whole, the club has a real belief and desire to achieve what only a few seasons back seemed almost impossible; Championship football.

Featured image: All rights reserved by Diego Sideburns.