Midfielder Allen wants to create more for Brewers
JAMIE DETERMINED TO HELP ALBION PUT OPPONENTS TO THE SWORD
JAMIE Allen wants to start weighing in with more assists for Burton Albion.
The former Rochdale midfielder had started Albion’s last seven games in all competitions before Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Port Vale, scoring in victories over Sunderland and Burnley in that time. That tally is already better than his one goal in 30 appearances last season.
Allen has shown good form while partnering Scott Fraser in the two advanced central midfield roles this season, with Stephen Quinn, and Ben Fox before him, stationed in the holding role.
It is giving the 23-year-old the licence to get into the box and threaten the opposition goal with his energy and running.
But while he is pleased with how he is working for the team, Allen is keen to start setting up more chances as the Brewers look to become more clinical in the final third - beginning with tomorrow’s home game against Bristol Rovers (3pm).
“I’m doing okay, obviously I know I can do a lot better - there’s always time to improve on your game,” said the central midfielder.
“I need to set up my team-mates as well and score, that would help a lot.
“But I feel like I’m working well for the team and everyone is working for each other.
“I think I need to improve on that (assist making) more.
“Not necessarily improve on it, just get in the spaces where I can get those passes off for team-mates to score.”
Despite the creativity and control Albion have shown for long spells of games, they currently sit a single point outside the League One relegation zone - and they have managed only 12 goals in 11 games.
Allen hopes an early breakthrough against Rovers this weekend could help them rediscover that clinical edge and the winning touch as they look to rise clear of the bottom four.
“We’re making the chances, we’re just not putting them in,” he added.
“We are playing well, I feel. We’re having most of the ball, it’s just one or two mistakes that are letting us down at the minute.
“We just need to put our chances away when we get in that final third.
“I think if we get an early goal, we’ll start having more confidence in front of goal as well.
“We are creating a lot of chances but we’re only putting one or two in, or maybe none at all.
“So, hopefully, we can score and then open up and get more.”