By Jon Harries
Back-to-back home games in League 1 served up a great opportunity to forget about the events at Stevenage on Tuesday night. The Dons were forced into one change, the suspended Harry Darling was replaced by Aden Baldwin.
Burton made five changes from their defeat to Charlton and were nearly behind within 90 seconds, Twine inches away from connecting with a Watters cross, then shortly after Watters was played through and dinked the ball over the goalkeeper, only to see the ball cleared off the line. Burton then settled down and controlled parts of the half without really threatening Fisher. A succession of Brewers set pieces came to nothing and although the Dons were putting quality balls into the box, no one was in there to connect.
Halftime and although frustrating it wasn’t the worst performance.
In the second half we started with more tempo and purpose utilising the wing backs more. Kasumu created the first chance driving the ball across the box, again no one on the end ball.
It seemed like it was going to be one of those days until Boateng was brought on to carry the ball and provide a greater physical presence in midfield. Shortly after the breakthrough, Matt O’Riley slipped through a wonderful ball, Watters got in behind Bostwick who obviously wanted his shirt all game and calmly slotted away with the neatest of touches past the advancing keeper, there’s something about a loan striker from Cardiff doing well at Milton Keynes.
The game was seen out relatively comfortably with Baldwin and O’Hora marshalling the defence superbly. All in all, a win, a clean sheet and 3 points which sees us remain 5th in the table.
Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough is the next fixture to look forward to on Tuesday night. 9 points from their last 18 games doesn’t look good, although a home win v Sunderland 3-0 and Saturday’s result 3-2 away at Accrington stand out in that period.
They were 3 up in 22 minutes, Chey Dunkley, Theo Corbeanu and Florian Kamberi put the Owls in a commanding position and although Accrington did fight back through Lewis Mansell and Joel Mumbongo it wasn’t enough to turn the game around.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell is a Northern Ireland International, Liam Palmer is a very capable WB with two assists on Saturday and they possess a Scottish Wizard in Barry Bannan who is the lynchpin of everything positive about Wednesday.
As for their strikers, Lee Gregory is a poacher, Saido Berahino promised so much earlier on in his career and is looking to recapture that form. Add Lewis Wing and Massimo Luongo to that plus Darren Moore and his recent record in League 1 (Doncaster were top at Christmas last year) then they will believe play-offs is a minimum requirement.
The Man in Focus is Florian Camberi. 4 goals in 7 games from the former Hibernian and Rangers striker is exactly what fans have been crying out for. The diminutive Albanian never stops hassling defenders, making runs off the ball and happy to track back and help. He can also play RW allowing another attacking option on the pitch.
Predicted Line Up
Fisher
Kioso – O’Hora – Darling – Lewington – Harvie
Kasumu – McEachran – O’Riley
Twine – Watters
This is probably harsh on Baldwin who did nothing wrong on Saturday, but Darling has been a constant in this defence. Otherwise, it’s as you were.
I’m going for a 1-1 draw. A point at Hillsborough would be good for me. There’s not much to separate the sides, three points in the L1 table in fact and therefore I expect the game to be decided on fine margins. O’Riley with the goal.
COYD.
Photo Credits – The Yorkshie Post & bestqwallpapers
