City aim to make it four-of-a-kind

Burton Albion are the next to try and stop City's attempt at escaping relegation attempt, but unlike City's previous three games, this will be a very difficult game for City and we certainly shouldn't take the hosts for granted.

Well we finally appear to have turned back around to a side that is capable of going place. I'm going to go as far as saying that I believe that we are now starting to get as good as we were at the start of Schofield's time in charge, but now we face a game against a team that I got a lot of respect for. Make no mistake about it, Burton will be the most difficult game we've had since the Rochdale game and we certainly shouldn't take them lightly, but we'll get back to them later.

Performances have definitely improved in recent weeks and now I believe we are definitely heading in the right direction. That is mainly because of Sutton being able to bring in good replacements for those that are already there. Other than Pulis, I can't think of one player who Sutton's bought in that is not better than what we already had. Watts is much better than Kovacs, Facey is better than Clarke or Fagan, Herd is better than pretty much anyone, overall things are looking up, now to the extent that I am confident that if we do lose Burch, Sutton would be able to find an adequate replacement.

The main issues with the team selection could well be injuries to two of the players who started Saturday's win over Bradford. Chris Herd and Brian Gilmour, the two goalscorers, went off with injuries, but both should hopefully be fit for Wednesday night's game. If not then Shane Clarke could place Herd in the midfield and LJL taking the place of Gilmour up front.

Rob Burch (right) will almost certainly start in goal with the improving defender of Watts, Baker, Green and Anderson all playing in front of him. Infact, the inclusion of Green and Anderson in recent works might prove to be the attack difference and both aren't afraid to get forward and Green's inclusion in the squad allows the impressive Hughton to move into the midfield.

Infact, Hughton's progression throughout the season has been remarkable and he is now arguably the most exciting prospect that City have. It only seems like a matter of time before someone comes up for him. He will have Saunders on the other wing with Kerr and Herd/Clarke in the middle. Delroy should start up front with either Gilmour or LJL partnering him, obviously dependant on injury.

Now onto Burton and Saturday's result shows exactly what Burton are about. Two down away at Torquay, Burton launched a stunning come back and won 3-2, not bad for a side whom most people thought would be favourites for the drop after the way they ended their promotion season from the Conference. Paul Peschisolido has done well at the beginning of his managerial career so far, turning Burton into an entertaining side, so much to the point where some of their last five games have ended 6-1, 1-4, 1-3 and 3-2.

Infact, Burton have only been involved in one goalless draw all season long. Fifteen of their games have seen at least three goals scored, although they have conceded ten goals in two games against Chesterfield, losing 5-1 and 5-2. Their 2-0 win at Sincil Bank was an excellent performance and as bad as the Imps were that day, Burton were excellent and it was that game that convinced a LOT of City fans that Peter Jackson wasn't any good, infact it was the last time that Jackson managed City at home.

Two ex-Imps play for Burton, with Guy Branston returning from suspension and Greg Pearson hoping to keep up a decent goalscoring record against the Imps. They also have two players that have had testimonials, Darren "Mr Burton Albion" Strike and Aaron Wester, with the later only having turned 29 a few weeks ago, making his spell at Burton even more impressive. Between them they have played over 1,000 games, with Stride having played 646 games for the club by the start of the season, with 120 goals, making him third in the all-time goalscoring list for Burton.

However, Burton's home record is average, with six wins, three draws and four defeats from their home games so far, picking up 21 points at home compared to just 10 that City have gained from away games

PREDICTION

It promises to be a very different game from that at Sincil Bank, but I think this might be a step too far for City at the moment. Granted, it's the same gap in terms of points that there were between City and Bradford before Saturday's game, but Burton are far better than Bradford.

I'd be pleased with a point but think that Burton are just on a roll themselves.

Burton 2 City 1

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