Brewers assistant boss reflects on Daggers point
Burton Albion assistant manager Kevin Summerfield believes today’s draw at home to Dagenham & Redbridge could provide an invaluable point in the hunt for promotion.
Billy Kee’s second half equaliser cancelled out the Daggers’ Lawson D’Ath’s superb strike just before half-time, and Summerfield was quick to credit the opposition on a resilient display.
“We’re never happy with one point, especially at home where we always want the three points. Some days you have to give the opposition a bit of respect and they played the system very well.
“We talked before the game about how important it was to get the first goal. It’s something we haven’t done particularly well throughout the season but we still manage to eke out results.
“You must give credit to the opposition. We’ve watched them quite a bit over the last couple of weeks with videos and DVDs and they’re a resilient team. They’re much tougher than they were last season. We watched them beat Rochdale away, which is a fantastic result.
“They’ve got some character about them and once they got the first goal it gave them something to hang onto. We were allowed back into the game when they went down to ten men but we’ve come out with a draw.Â
"The run’s still going and it could be an important point come the end of the season,” said Summerfield.
The Brewers had countless chances to win the game in the second half, with Robbie Weir and Zeli Ismail going close, and Summerfield admits it’s frustrating to not capitalise on the chances created.
“It’s unfortunate, because if you look at the stats we’ve had the most shots by a million miles ahead of anyone else in the league, but have scored the fewest goals.
“We’re aware of it and we know its happening. We encourage the players to hit the target more but once they step over the white line it’s up to them.
"At the end of the day, it’s a point and we’re still looking to be there at the end of the season and this point could be very important,” Summerfield said.
Summerfield also praised goalscorer Billy Kee after his strike earned the Brewers a point, and is pleased with the variety within the Albion’s attacking set-up.
“It’s the kind of goal that he scores. If you looked at all of his goals this season a good 80% will be like that. Credit to him, he does what he does well when given the chance.
"We’ve got more of an all round group with the forwards. Gary wise and knows how to play the game. He’ll compete and hold the ball up. The others all offer something different which is good for us. It’s up to us to pick the right permutations on the day.”