Yes we know the game is off, but we thought some of this week’s Trash Talker answers were well worth reading anyway…hope you enjoy it.
Time is pressing on in the League 1 calendar, so we thought we better mix the questions up a bit as we turn the halfway mark and start the run for the line. First up to test the new questions is Brewer’s fan Rob Seamark …. many thanks Rob, all the best to you and the Brewers, have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
1 – We are at the halfway stage of the season, has it gone about how you expected for your team so far, has it been better, or turned out to be a bit of a car crash season?
I think we are probably about where I expected us to be to be perfectly honest. Last season was such a strange season that it would’ve been easy to get carried away with the second half of the campaign and think we’d be looking at a promotion push this time around but, with all things considered, such as the large number of players coming in and the different mental challenges, as compared to the second half of last season, I think we’re doing just fine right now.
2 – As fans we are never 100% happy about our club, is there something about your club that really annoys you?
I wouldn’t say there is anything that really annoys me to be honest as I think as a club we do a lot of things right, especially the community focussed stuff. For a club of our size and budget I think we seem to put a big emphasis on that kind of thing and that’s good to see. But if I had to pick something I’d say I’d like to see more go into attracting fans to come to the stadium. We have a capacity of around just under 7000 and we average less than half that. So more in the stadium would be good, and that needs to be led by initiatives from the club.
3 – All fans love an away day; can you tell us which ground you have enjoyed visiting the most and why, on the flip side which ground turned out to be a real disappointment?
I haven’t been to many away days with Burton, but I have been to a fair few grounds earlier in my football fan life (before having a kid!) and the best ground I remember being impressed by was Sunderland. The atmosphere they built before the game was really good and by the time the players came out it was really something. The worst was Filbert Street as we had darts thrown at us and were just told to run by the police after the game!
4 – Most fans have a special piece of memorabilia in their collection, a unique item that means something special to you, do you have such an item?
I did have a Burton shirt signed by Brian and Nigel Clough from the 99/00 season. I thought that was a but special, but I gave it to the club over lockdown to auction off to raise funds for their charity. I have a squad signed shirt from last season’s “Great Escape” which is a nice piece to own.
5 – Every team has their own bogey club they just cannot seem to beat, who do you think yours is?
We beat Ipswich earlier this season, but I had seen a stat before that where we had played them 8 times previously and lost 7, drawing 1. In recent times we have been turned over a bit by Oxford the last few times we have played them too.
6 – Throughout the course of the season, victory over which club gives you the biggest buzz?
I know for a lot of fans it is any side managed by Steve Evans. A few years ago when he was at Boston, he described Burton as a pub team which hasn’t been forgotten. For me personally though it’s Sunderland. Even after what I said about the Stadium of Light atmosphere, I just don’t like the club so any opportunity to see them fail is gratefully received!
7 – Which player for your club is likely to be the biggest factor in success or failure of the result after 90 minutes?
This is a tough question for us as I don’t think we have one standout area. Daniel Jebbison is a very good player for us, and his energy can set a tempo for things around him, particularly when we’re without the ball. Jonny Smith is another who, when the wind is blowing for him, can make good things happen. But I’d have to say Ben Garratt in goal. He’s been excellent since the turn of the year, and I really think we’d miss him if he wasn’t in the side for any reason.
8 – Is there any MK Dons player you feel could spoil your day?
Is there one that couldn’t?! I’d say Scott Twine but I bet everyone picks him (for good reason!) so I’ll say Matt O’Riley. He’s a player I really like and I’m sure will develop far at MK. Left footers playing on the right side are always fun for me!
9 – We know its early still, but do you have any nailed-on selections for promotion and relegation?
Rotherham and Wigan I think will be strong through the run-in. I like Rotherham as a club, and I think the continuity they have will serve them well over the busy periods. There’s always somebody who puts a run together and I think this year it may finally be Oxford’s year also. I think Doncaster, now they’ve made the change will move up the table and away from trouble, but I can see Gillingham and Shrewsbury being 2 of the sides to drop this year.
10 – Many thanks for taking part, all we need now is a prediction for the game?
I think this one will be a loss for us unfortunately. I’ll go 2-1 as I believe we will score but you will do just enough to edge us out.
Photo Credit – Pinterest.com
