Burton Albion Football Club

BURTON Albion travel to Wigan Athletic in the first game back from the international break where Jackson Irvine, Jamie Ward and Tom Flanagan were all away with their respective countries.

Albion’s opponents currently sit 21st in the Sky Bet Championship and have been faced with a tougher return to the second tier than they had planned. Gary Caldwell’s team claimed the League One title last season, beating Burton to the top spot but its Nigel Clough’s men who have picked up more points so far this season.

The Latics have picked up five points from their last five games after most recently drawing 0-0 with Brentford. Burton Albion have also picked up five points from their last five games but went into the international break with a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City at the Pirelli Stadium.

Caldwell has spent several million over the past year or so in order to get his team into the Championship but also to build a stable team in order to solidify their place in England’s second tier. Nigel Clough says Saturday’s opposition are on a different financial level to the Brewers, but Burton Albion will have a go at Wigan.

He said: “Wigan have invested several million in the last 12 months even before they came up so they are on a different level financially to us but we will go there like we do with all the teams in the Championship and have a go.”
The Brewers won 1-0 at Wigan last season in League One thanks to Nasser El Khayati’s 74th minute goal.

Clough says: “It was a brilliant result at the time and you look back at all these results and if any one doesn’t go, like winning at Wigan, then you miss out on automatic promotion. We got over the line in the end and Wigan was a significant result. But they have a whole new team out from what they played in League One.”

Playing for Wigan is a player Clough knows well, former Brewers and Derby County defender Jake Buxton.

Clough says: “Jake is a wholehearted player who you would want with you in most situations. Hopefully he will have an off day on Saturday but he doesn’t have too many of those - he’s a very consistent player.”

The Brewers boss could be without two of his key defenders John Mousinho and John Brayford through injury, but they will be assessed late:

“John Mousinho hasn’t trained yet as he’s still feeling his hamstring. We are now glad we left him out of the Cardiff game as if he had have played three in a week after being out five weeks he would not be available for Saturday.

“John Brayford hasn’t trained either but at least with his groin injury it has given his knee chance to rest as well. We will see how they both are on Friday.”

Jake Buxton spoke fondly of his time at Burton Albion and working with Clough, he said:

“It’s a lovely club Burton Albion and one I’ve got fond memories of.

“It’s very well run and the people who work there are very similar to the people who work at Wigan Athletic.  Both clubs are full of nice, honest people.

“It’s a credit to them how they’ve performed in the Championship so far, they’re making a right good go of it.

“I’ve followed Burton’s journey closely since I left, and despite what I’ve achieved since, sometimes I see leaving as a regret, because the team and the supporters have had an unbelievable time with the promotions and the success they’ve had.”

Burton supporters are welcome in Wigan’s FREE to enter ‘away fans only’ bar at the DW Stadium, which is located right outside the North Stand.

The 500 capacity marquee-style room is a fantastic pre-match and half time meeting point for all visiting supporters. Two bars serve a range of beers, wines and soft drinks and traditional match day food is also available.

Tickets are still on general sale and each customer can purchase up to four tickets during this window.

Ticket prices are as follows (match day prices):
Adults - £20.00 (£22.00)
Over 65 - £18.00 (£20.00)
Under 18 - £10.00
Under 11 - £5.00
Under 5 - £2.00

The easiest way to buy tickets is online by clicking here, but you can also purchase them by calling 01283 565938 or by visiting the BAFC club shop during opening hours.

Away travel is also available for this fixture:
Price per seat: £12.50
Departs Pirelli Stadium at 11.45am
Expected return time: 7pm approx

Parking is available at the DW Stadium, Car Park 1, priced at £20 per coach, £10 per minibus and £5 per car.