BURTON Albion’s under 18 side saw their six game unbeaten run come to an end with a 3-0 away defeat to Oldham Athletic in the Youth Alliance League.
The Brewers came into the game buoyed by their progress in the Youth Alliance Cup but were unable to resist a strong performance from their hosts. Manager Sam Rose felt that his side had not shown enough of the quality that had been apparent in recent weeks.“It was a difficult afternoon, we were never really in a position to put pressure on Oldham, we didn’t do the things that we have been doing so well in the last few weeks in terms of dealing with direct play and our centre halves dealing with centre forwards,” Rose said.
“Our midfielders weren’t picking up on balls so we couldn’t play from there and create chances that way, we didn’t hold the ball up particularly well, so all of the little bits and pieces that we have been doing so well over the last few weeks just didn’t come together which is the most disappointing thing.”
Rose also said that the young Brewers didn’t look as much like a collective unit as they have over their good run, but is confident that the Oldham defeat is just a blip and that form will pick up again.
“The boys have been doing ever so well and today’s defeat puts and end to a really good run of results. I think we didn’t show the togetherness, or the character, or the aggression and willingness to do the extra bits and run a little bit harder, or chase, or press, those things that we have done well in previous weeks.
“The lads haven’t turned into poor footballers overnight, but I felt that today wasn’t as much of a team performance and they didn’t gel and come together as a unit, like they have recently.
“The wheels haven’t come off, it is youth development football and, while it is nice to get a run of results together, I have said in the feedback to the players that we can’t win every game but it is important that we try to win every game, we aim to be excellent in every single area and every single player aims to be excellent every single week.
“Sometimes we won’t achieve that, today is an example, but we will work hard next week. We have a game on Friday night then we go on to face Wigan in the quarter final of the cup and that will be a really good game for us.”
The Brewers next test is Rotherham United who they host on Friday afternoon, hoping to restore they good form heading into the Youth Alliance Cup clash with Wigan Athletic.