Burton Albion Football Club

Skipper looks ahead to Southend

Burton Albion captain Lee Bell is looking forward to facing Southend United on Saturday lunchtime for a place in the play-off final.

The Brewers lead 1-0 heading into the second leg at Roots Hall, and the skipper says the squad are confident of making the final.

“We’re always confident. We’re going into a tough game with a slight advantage, but we have to put that to the back of our minds as we go there to win it, not to hold on.

“They were the favourites going into the first leg, and they’re probably still favourites now. It’s up to them to come at us. It will be a tough test for us and we’re expecting a difficult game.

“We’re a confident bunch of boys, and it helps that most of us are young so they don’t think about it too much. We see it as just another game and we go to it as confident as any other” said Bell.

Albion surrendered a first leg lead to Bradford City last season, and Bell is determined to do better this time run.

“I thought we had what it took last year, but we lost to the eventual winners who have had a good season in League One. We’re capable, otherwise we wouldn’t have got in the play-offs and it’s another good achievement for ‘little old Burton’ and we want to go one step further.

“The onus is on them, not us and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

Bell has previously won promotion through the play-offs with Crewe Alexandra, and he’s urged his teammates to grasp the opportunity.

“This is what you play football for. These occasions don’t come around too often and it’s only the third one I’ve been involved in the play-offs.

“It doesn’t happen very often so when it does you have to grasp it. Some of the boys might not get this chance again so it’s a great opportunity for each individual.”