Caretaker delighted with attitude
Burton Albion caretaker manager Mike Whitlow has urged his side to go out and play without pressure when they travel to Barnsley on Saturday in the first round of the FA Cup.
Whitlow looks set to take charge of his second game following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle, and Whitlow says the players have nothing to fear as they take on League One opposition.
“They’ve just turned the corner and got some good results, and we’re now going on their patch. We’ve said that when we go out there, we’re only bothered about Burton Albion. We’re going to play, have a go at them and hopefully get a result.
“We’ve got nothing to fear because we have great lads that want to work hard. They also have a point to prove to whoever might be in the stands on Saturday”, he said.
The caretaker says that the Albion will look to return from Yorkshire with a second round spot sealed, and wants the players to give a good account of themselves at Oakwell.
“You go out to win every game. We’ll go out with a game plan and we might have to change things, but we didn’t do so badly on Saturday and we pressed the ball really well. Hopefully we’ll cause Barnsley a problem and we’ll go there to try and get a result.
“The FA Cup is legendary. When I was a kid I wanted to play in the FA Cup and these lads are the same. You want to get the big teams and you want to progress because it’s a passion, and hopefully we’ll give a good account of ourselves,” said Whitlow.
Whitlow has no doubt that the players will do just that, and has again praised their attitude and work ethic during his time in charge.
“The pressure has never been on me. I’ve taken over to help the Chairman and the club because it’s a fantastic place. I love coaching and the lads will respond to whoever comes in.
“As performances go (on Saturday), their work ethic was unbelievable and there’s no reason why that can’t keep going.
“Whoever comes in will inherit a great group of boys, and I’m like a kid in a toy shop that can pick all these players.
“They created enough chances on Saturday to win three or four games but they came off with a smile on their face having worked their socks off.
“If they give everything, the fans see it and get behind it. If we can play a bit of football on top then that’s a bonus.”