Opposition Lowdown: Mark Robinson’s Winless Burton Albion
Reading’s first league game under the floodlights at the SCL this season sees them take on Burton Albion this Tuesday evening. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.
Form
Burton Albion finished 20th in League One last season, only three points ahead of Fleetwood Town who took the final relegation slot. This is the Brewers’ seventh straight season in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in the 2017/18 season after a two-year stay.
They have had a tough start the season and are winless after seven games, currently sitting in 22nd place after four draws and three losses so far. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 3-0 away defeat to Steve Bruce’s Blackpool.
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last September, before the Brewers claimed a 3-2 win at the Pirelli Stadium back in April after goals from Mason Bennett, Mustafa Carayol and Bobby Kamwa.
The boss
Mark Robinson: Robinson was appointed head coach of Burton in June this year, taking over from Martin Paterson, who left by mutual consent. Robinson spent time in the youth system at Fulham, however injuries prevented him from forging a professional playing career.
He spent 18 years at AFC Wimbledon, where he spent the majority of his time coaching and managing within their youth setup, before becoming first-team manager in 2021. He guided the Dons to League One safety in his first season, but was sacked after just over a year in charge.
Robinson went on to join Chelsea in May 2022, where he was appointed head of their development squad. He guided their under-21 side to two top-four finishes and was selected by the new Burton owners to take the club forward this summer.
The 58-year-old has had a tough start to life in charge at Burton and is still looking for his first win in charge. Robinson wants his side to play attractive, energetic and aggressive football.
Squad
It was a busy summer in Burton, where the new ownership team supported the signing of 23 new players. Four of those signings were players joining on loan, including left-back Dylan Williams and forward Ronnie Stutter who both joined from Chelsea, midfielder Alejandro Bran (Minnesota) and winger Romelle Donovan (Birmingham City).
They signed a number of players from League One rivals including goalkeeper Harry Isted (Charlton Athletic), defenders Jason Sraha (Shrewsbury Town) and Terence Vancooten (Stevenage) and forward Danilo Orsi (Crawley Town).
Other notable signings included midfielder Charlie Webster (Chelsea), winger Billy Bodin (Oxford United) and forwards Jack Cooper-Love (Elfsborg) and Julian Larsson (Nottingham Forest).
A total of 14 players left the club over the summer including defender Sam Hughes, midfielders Joe Powell and Adedeji Oshilaja and forwards Bobby Kamwa and Cole Stockton.
Predicted lineup
Crocombe, Sweeney, Armer, Vancooten, Williams, Watt, Chauke, Godwin-Malife, Bodin, Whitfield, Orsi
Key player
Billy Bodin: Forward Bodin joined Burton this summer following his release from Oxford United.
He started his career in the youth setup at Swindon Town and went on to make his debut for the club in 2010. He made 16 appearances for the Robins before going on to join Torquay United in 2012.
A short spell at Northampton Town followed before Bodin went on to join Bristol Rovers, where he spent two and a half years, scoring 37 goals. He secured a move to the Championship with Preston North End in 2018, where he spent just over three years, before signing for Oxford United, where he stayed until this summer, adding another 25 goals to his career tally.
The 32-year-old is Burton’s top scorer so far this season with three goals to his name. The surname may be familiar to a number of Reading fans – Billy’s dad Paul played for the Royals in the 90s.
Billy is a versatile forward who can play on either wing, up front or as an attacking midfielder and is a strong dribbler, who likes to run at defenders.
One to watch
Elliot Watt: Midfielder Watt also joined Burton this summer, signing on a free transfer following the end of his contract with Salford City.
He spent time in a number of youth setups in his early career, including Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Preston and Wolverhampton Wanderers – where he graduated from their academy. He made his Wolves debut in a League Cup game in 2018 and also spent time on loan at Carlisle United while with the club.
Watt joined Bradford City on a permanent deal in 2020 and stayed for two seasons, before joining Salford City at the end of his contract. He went on to make 91 appearances for Salford and was named in the League Two Team of the Season in 2023.
He has played a part in nine games for Burton so far this season and has one goal to his name. The 24-year-old has represented Scotland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level. Watt is a centre midfielder who sits deep but has a good eye for a pass.