Opposition Lowdown: Martin Paterson's Burton Albion

Reading's final away-day opponents are in desperate need of points to stay in the division.

Reading’s penultimate game of the 2023/24 season sees the Royals travel to Burton Albion. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Burton finished 15th in League One last season, finishing on 56 points following 15 wins, 11 draws and 20 losses. This is their sixth straight season in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in the 2017/18 season after a two-year stay in the second tier.

They are currently in a relegation battle, sitting just outside the drop zone in 19th place, two points ahead of Cheltenham Town. Their recent run of form has been challenging, winning one, drawing one and losing three of their last five games.

They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 1-2 home loss to fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town. The two sides last faced each other back in September, playing out a 0-0 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The boss

Martin Paterson: Paterson became Burton head coach in January of this year, taking over from Dino Maamria, who was sacked after 15 months in charge of the Brewers.

Paterson had a 13-year career as a player and was a forward by trade, playing for the likes of Scunthorpe United, Burnley and Huddersfield Town, while also having spells in the US with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and India, where he played for ATK.

Paterson also made 22 appearances for Northern Ireland, scoring three goals.

Following the end of his playing career, Paterson rejoined the Tampa Bay Rowdies, joining as current Barnsley manager Neill Collins’ assistant. He went on to join both Fort Lauderdale CF and Inter Miami as an assistant coach.

He returned to the UK in 2022, linking up with Michael Duff as assistant manager at Barnsley, before then following Duff to Swansea City. Paterson left Swansea in December following Duff’s sacking but signed a deal with Burton until the end of the season in January, securing his first managerial job.

He has won four of his 18 games in charge so far, giving him a win percentage of 22%.

Squad

Burton lost their top scorer, striker Beryly Lubala, in January, after he joined League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer following the end of his six-month deal at the Brewers.

They utilised the loan market in the January transfer window, signing five players on loan. Their loanees included defender Tolaji Bola (Rotherham United) and strikers Joe Hugill (Manchester United), Ademola Ola-Adebomi (Crystal Palace) and Kyle Hudlin (Huddersfield) who stands at 6ft 9inches tall.

They also signed MK Dons forward Jonathan Leko on a loan deal but he returned to his parent club after suffering an injury on his debut. They replaced him with the loan signing of Sheffield United striker Antwoine Hackford. Defender Toto Nsiala also joined the club on a free transfer in February.

Captain John Brayford and forward Mason Bennett are both doubtful, having missed the midweek game with Cheltenham Town. Albion may also be without defender Thomas Hamer, who came off injured in their midweek game.

Predicted lineup

Crocombe, Nsiala, Hughes, Sweeney, Moon, Seddon, Powell, Harper, Oshilaja, Hugill, Helm

Key player

Joe Powell: Midfielder Powell joined Burton in January 2020, signing from West Ham United for a nominal fee. He was a product of the Hammers’ academy, having been at the club since the age of eight.

Powell signed his first pro deal with the club in 2015 and made his debut in 2018 in an EFL Cup tie with Macclesfield Town, which the Hammers won 8-0. He had a loan spell with Northampton Town in 2019 before joining Burton on a permanent deal the following year.

Since joining the Brewers, Powell has gone on to make 185 appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals. The 25-year-old has five goals and two assists to his name this season. Powell is a centre midfielder who has an eye for goal and is a strong set-piece taker.

One to watch

Joe Hugill: Striker Hugill joined Burton in the January transfer window, signing from Manchester United on loan for the rest of the season.

He spent time in the youth setups of both Newcastle United and Sunderland, before joining United in 2020. He is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils but has proved to be prolific in their youth teams, having scored 50 goals.

Hugill spent time on loan at Altrincham last season, where he made seven appearances, scoring one goal. He also has one goal to his name for Burton, scoring against Derby County back in January after coming off the bench to make his debut.

Hugill is a centre forward whose playing style has been likened to that of Harry Kane.