We’ll target more of the same in bid to stop MK, says Buxton
JAKE Buxton is expecting more of the same, both from his own players and the opposition, when Burton Albion take on Milton Keynes Dons away in League One tomorrow (3pm).
The Albion manager expects the Dons, who have former Brewer Scott Fraser prominent in their midfield, to aim to dominate possession and play passing football – just as Crewe Alexandra, Sunderland and Charlton Athletic did in Burton’s previous three games.
Those went well enough, the Brewers emerging unbeaten from them, the only disappointment being that they led in all three and could have been looking at nine points rather than five.
Buxton has adapted his side’s tactics after concluding that an all-out pressing approach was seeing them picked apart by opponents and they are now playing a more counterattacking style.
“We have two tough games on the road now, in MK Dons and Ipswich Town (on Tuesday), but we’re in a good position in terms of the squad, in terms of our frame of mind, and we’re up for picking up more points,” said Buxton.
“We’ve had a positive week of training and we all watched the youth team win in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday, which was a good performance from those lads. “The squad is in a good place, with confidence growing. “I’ve watched a couple of videos of Milton Keynes and they are another team who like to dominate the ball and try to play under Russell Martin, so our game plan doesn’t change.
“Our organisation and attitude without the ball has been top-notch in the last few games.
“When we do have the ball, we have to make sure we take our chances.”
The tactics worked like a dream against Charlton, when the Brewers scored four goals, but they could not hang on to their 1-0 leads late in the game in the other two matches of what is now a three-match unbeaten run.
“Last Tuesday against Sunderland it was tough,” said Buxton.
“We were close, we had done everything right and then it was a high quality ball into the box and a good header (for their equaliser).
“We’d dealt with the majority of what Sunderland had thrown at us.
“On Saturday, against Crewe, we did sink a little bit too deep as a back four. It’s important we don’t do that and we get pressure on the ball and try to stop balls coming into our box.
“I’ve explained to the players, I don’t want us just to be sat deep and giving up the ball completely.
“We’re being patient. When the ball comes into your area, then you press and the next man goes with you.
“We’ve had great examples of this in recent games, with Stephen Quinn pressuring, backed up by Ciaran Gilligan and Ryan Edwards.
“Then, when there is a turnover of possession, we’re looking for big
We have two tough games on the road now but we’re in a good position in terms of our frame of mind. Jake Buxton
moments on the front foot for players like Charles Vernam.
“We’re nearly there. We’ve just not quite seen out the last two games but it’s a better position to be in than chasing games and conceding a shed-load of goals.
“We don’t look like that side any more. We look strong and solid with good organisation.”
The Brewers will play in front of fans for the first time this season tomorrow.
MK Dons are in Tier 2 and are holding a ballot among season ticket holders to see who gets to go.
Buxton is unconcerned that there will only be home fans in the ground – he is just pleased to see supporters back at all.
“I think it can only benefit the players. It’s been a long time coming and I only see it as a positive,” he said.
“I hope we (in Burton) come out of Tier 3 and it happens here. We look forward to having supporters cheering the lads on.”