Jake wants to keep back door shut as Albion aim for lift-off
CALL FOR CLEAN SHEET AS BREWERS RETURN TO PIRELLI AFTER DALE LOSS
JAKE Buxton wants a clean sheet today to help Burton Albion get on track in League One.
The Brewers return to the Pirelli Stadium this afternoon to face AFC Wimbledon (3pm) after their midweek 1-0 home defeat against Rochdale as a busy October schedule continues.
Buxton’s side are propping up the table going into today’s game but the manager is sure his side can turn a corner soon as they face the Dons today before an away game against Peterborough United on Tuesday night.
“We are going in the right direction in terms of the goals we are conceding and now need that clean sheet,” he said.
“We need to make sure we implement our game plan and do our jobs on set plays.
“It’s a big couple of weeks with games coming thick and fast in the rest of October. Rochdale has gone and now it’s a massive weekend for us Ultimately, results have to improve and we need to get points on the board.”
And Buxton says Brewers’ spirits are still high despite the latest setback on Tuesday night.
“It’s my job to make sure that morale is good within the group,” he added. “You do have to lift them at times but there is no-one walking around training sulking, nobody with their head down.
“At this moment in time they are still champing at the bit.
“The results haven’t gone the way we would have wanted and there is no hiding away from the fact that we have to step up to the challenge.
“We have to roll our sleeves up and be ready for the fight, and I’m
.“sure that the lads I put out there on Saturday will do that.”
Although Buxton could see some positive signs against Dale, he also says he needs to see more from some players to cement their firstteam place.
“Kieran O’Hara was a positive and he probably deserved a clean sheet,” said Buxton.
“Sam Hughes and John-Joe O’Toole performed to a good level and Stephen Quinn played 90 minutes and did well.
“Kane Hemmings again put a shift in and Indiana Vassilev was a threat on the flank but in other areas the lads aren’t exactly nailing down a
shirt. It’s up to the other lads in training to be ready to go when that opportunity comes and they then take that chance.”
Striker Niall Ennis joined the Brewers on a season-long loan deal from Wolves last week and went on as a 63rd-minute substitute against Dale.
It looks as though the 21-year-old will be on the bench again today against the Dons and Buxton is expecting the forward to make his mark soon.
“Niall has not had much football so it will take time to build him into the games,” Buxton added.
“But we like what we have seen, he looks like he can be a threat and he has trained very well.”