WEIR: THE PRESSURE IS OFF US

Midfilder relaxed ahead of cup tie

Burton Albion midfielder Robbie Weir says the pressure is off the Brewers ahead of their first-round FA Cup tie away at League One side Barnsley.

Albion will head into Saturday’s tie at Oakwell encouraged by last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle, and will be confident of causing an upset after winning four of their previous eight away games.

Danny Wilson’s Tykes have been rather inconsistent so far and with a disappointing return of just three wins in nine home fixtures, Weir feels it’s a great time to face this challenge.

“I think it’s going to be a hard test for us, but we’ve come up against it this year and we’ve dealt with it, so it’s another test really to stand up and be counted against a League One side. That’s where we want to be next year, it’s a good test for us going to their patch.

“In the FA cup obviously you can get anyone, hopefully we get through to the next round but like I said before it’s a good test for us going up to Barnsley on their patch, they’ve been doing well so it’s going to be a great test for the lads.

“There is still speak that we’re managerless, if you see the way we played on Saturday you wouldn’t think it, but we’re looking forward to it,” said Weir.

As the search goes on for a new manager, Weir thinks his side have retained a positive state of mind and that everyone is still pushing forward to create an upset against Barnsley.

“I think going into the FA Cup, yes there is always upsets, but like I said the lads want to win games so I think it’s very important that we go there with the right mind set.

“We’re a League Two team, they’ve got all the pressure on them because they’ve got to beat us. There a bigger team than us but the lads want to keep the winning mentality going, its massive pressure on them,” Weir added.”

Caretaker manager Mike Whitlow will lead the Brewers on Saturday following last week’s draw with Plymouth, and Weir says the players have responded positively to Whitlow.

“A lot of credit has to go to him, I think any of the lads would say since Mike and Neill (Hornby) have come in it’s been fantastic, all the lads have gone about training well and he’s kept them buzzing.

“We’re looking very sharp and if you look at Saturday’s game it’s probably the best football that we’ve played, so a lot of credit goes off to them two.”