Football Season Guide

Burton produced a great escape last season. On 29th December they were bottom, six points from safety, but the appointment of former boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink revived their fortunes. From January 9th they won nine of their next 11 games. They ended up finishing 16th, securing survival with three games to spare. The summer has seen the departure of three key players from last season. Solid performers Carter and Clare along with Edwards, the driving force from midfield. Hasselbaink has mostly brought in players who have good experience of English football but have points to prove. Blake-Tracey and Borthwick-Jackson have been recruited to fill a problem position last season, left-back. Striker Moult’s career stalled at Championship side Preston, but he had a good scoring record during a previous three-year spell in the Scottish Premiership. Albion fans will hope he can provide support and competition for Kane Hemmings, who hit 15 goals in 26 starts last season. Hasselbaink employed an energetic, direct style of play in 2020/21 which opposition teams found tough to handle. There have been plenty of ins and outs over the summer but Hasselbaink showed in January how well he can bring players together and get them performing well. There is always a worry that Hasselbaink could leave again. They still look light up front, an injury to Hemmings could be costly.