To a man, the players stuck to game plan
JAKE Buxton got the response he had asked for from his Burton Albion players as they bounced back from arguably their worst performance of the season to beat Charlton Athletic in style on Tuesday night.
The Brewers had lost badly on Saturday, 3-1 at home to fellow League One strugglers Northampton Town, and Buxton told the players in no uncertain terms what he thought about their efforts after the game.
Against Charlton, they were barely recognisable as the same team, three times establishing a two-goal gap and maintaining it the third time to record a 4-2 win.
It was their first victory in 15 games and lifted them off the bottom of the League One table on a night when, usefully, they were the only team in the bottom half to pick up three points.
Just as important as the fact that they scored four times was the organisation and work-rate the Brewers showed against a good Charlton side who were unbeaten in eight matches.
“We are delighted with the result but, more importantly, the performance,” said Buxton.
“To a man, every one of them stuck to the game plan and when you come off the pitch you should be on your knees, having given everything, and the players did that.
“That’s what I’m proud of the most.
“I was on my knees after the game on Saturday and some harsh words were spoken. I felt some players had taken a step back and not forward and in the situtation we’re in we need everyone on the same page.
“You could see how much the result meant to the lads. They had to dig in and work hard together. That’s why we got the result, for the togetherness and the graft and the mentality to win a game.”
Buxton adjusted the team’s approach, asking them to let Charlton come at them and hit them on the counter, when they might normally have been expected to be on the front foot at home.
It worked so well that they scored four goals against a team who had conceded only eight in 11 League games before kick-off.
“You fear the worst when you are in the position we are in and the goals we have conceded at times but the game plan was to absorb the pressure and hit them on the counter-attack,” said Buxton. “The players had to implement that and do it to a high standard and they did. “On Saturday, we didn’t look like scoring but, this time, we looked a threat.
“It took a lot of hard work and a lot of information taken on board to get that performance but the lads delivered and I’m over the moon with it. “We can’t afford to carry five or six players each week – every player needs to be at it.
“From 12 years ago, when I first came here as a player, to now, it hasn’t changed. We always have to be at it to a man. “Everyone on the pitch had to be at it to get that result. If someone switches off or does not perform to a level, then we don’t win.
“I’m hoping the guys recognise now what it takes to win games at this level, what it means to wear a Burton Albion shirt. It means emptying the tank and giving everything.”
Buxton was “at it” himself, even more animated than usual on the touchline.
“I was very down after Saturday’s game and regardless of the outcome against Charlton, I was going to give everything on the touchline and show I was fully behind the team and that’s what I will continue to do,” he said.
The highlight of Burton efforts
You could see how much the result meant to the lads. They had to dig in and work hard together.
Jake Buxton
going forward was the startling goal by Charles Vernam, his first for the club and the Brewers’ fourth of the night, the one that finally killed off Charlton’s challenge.
Vernam picked the ball up a long way from goal on the left and twisted and turned away from several defenders.
Seemingly running out of space, he managed the slide a pass infield to Lucas Akins before racing after it to collect a return pass.
He had a shot blocked but showed composure to lift his second effort past goalkeeper Ben Amos.
“I’ve spoken about Charles being an outlet, someone who’s direct when he wins the ball, who wants to take people on,” added Buxton.
“He has no other thought in his mind than to go for goal and try to get shots off.
“He showed the levels he can produce and I’m pleased he got his goal as well.”