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EFL Trophy Rovers (1) v Burton Albion (1) 4-5 PENS

Ian

Ian

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Up next for Rovers, a change of scene with an early cup game at home to The Brewers in the EFL Cup.
Burton have struggled to cope with life in league one finishing in the bottom half for the last few years and one of their worst seasons was last season where they finished 20th having won just 11 league games all season. Manager Gary Bowyer was appointed when the team were nine points from safety and performed well above expectation by guiding them to safety.

They have started the 25-26 campaign with a win and a loss beating Mansfield 2-1 on the opening day but then losing 3-2 on Saturday against Barnsley having been 2-0 up at the break only to concede three in the second half.

Our last encounter with Burton was in the Papa Johns Trophy which finished 1-1 but they ended up beating us 5-4 on pens. Highlights below:



Rovers come off the back of a fantastic 4-0 win so spirits will be high although I expect both managers to make changes for this game.
 
Going be a very tough game, both teams will make a number of changes, hard too predict but going for 1 1 with us winning on pens.
 
Result in this competition only really generates a little winning mentality and maybe a decent home tie if lucky in the draw if i'm to be cliche.

To get through it with some more minutes in the legs and no injuries/suspensions is the best result for me. Have a decent challenge to contend with on Saturday!

With that, won't be disheartened with a defeat and another extra is a bonus.
 
I didn't know that much about Burton, so have taken a look at their squad. Not many familiar names, but they are a mix of players in their mid 20s, along with younger players like Charlie Webster, who started at Chelsea and got both goals for the Brewers in their opening day win over Mansfield. It looks like about half of their squad have involved a transfer fee. Arguably they're underperforming given that.

My initial thought was that Crosby would opt for a more experienced line-up than Saturday, but given that Burton are going to be turning out a relatively young team, there will need to be some fresh legs in the Rovers xi to avoid being outrun. Possibly one of Dennis or Jennings starting ahead of Harris, who I would still expect to get at least half an hour.

It was clear from the post-match interview that AC wants to win this game. I would think that's unlikely, given the relative strength of the two squads, but by no means impossible.
 
Depending on the team selections, we certainly have a lot more experience in the squad. The team they put out on Saturday were fairly young and have either been hanging around lower league clubs or bigger U21 teams. They may have a bit more energy than us though!
 
Opinion is divided in WR on our chances. I think with our home advantage and good form, we have a very good chance. They may be League One, but at the bottom end.

The great thing is that no points are at stake. If we lose, it will be no tragedy. If we win we progress, but will probably need another win to have a chance of a money spinning draw. Chances are not high.

However, I’d like to see us field our best side (or close to it). Let’s try to keep the momentum going. I don’t think Andy will field a weakened side against L1 opposition. It would be suicide and alienate the fans. So, I think we’ll win but maybe in penalties.
 
I think that they maybe too strong for us.
hopefully not.
being a cup game, is the prices different, even for an old git like me?
 
We played a weakened side against Stockport and Rotherham away last year and gave a good account of ourselves.

They'll field changes too and can see it being played out as more of a pre-season game. Hard to call!
 
I like the side picked. Just hope no injuries to key players such as Smallwood.
 
Power cut in the area, unclear whether the game is going ahead.
 
Hope i get my money back as i wont be at the rearranged game ive not got much free time after this week. Sods law
 
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