SEEING the fixtures for the first time is just as exciting for the players as it is for the fans, says Lucas Akins.
The Brewers striker was quickly reviewing the Championship fixture list after it was released this morning and can’t wait to get started.
“Massively,” he says. “Especially in this league, you can’t help but have a little smile on your face when you see the fixtures. It whets your appetite for getting back out there and doing what you love the most. The fans will be with us every second of the way and I know it’s going to be another very exciting season and hopefully we can defy all the odds again.”
The Brewers start the season with a home fixture against Cardiff City.
Akins says: “It doesn’t guarantee you anything being at home in the first game but the fans can turn out in their numbers, can see the new signings straight away and hopefully our home form from the end of last season can continue and give us a good start.”
The Brewers then take on Hull and Middlesbrough away with both clubs looking to get straight back to the Premier League after relegation last season.
Akins says: “It’s almost welcome back to the Championship - and the Oldham game in the Carabao Cup will have an affect on things as well. Three away games against tough opposition and that will really test us.
“There’s no better way to find out where you are at than against these teams who have just come down from the Premiership.
“It’s exciting and great for the fans to have a couple of tasty fixtures as they get back on the bus to go to some places we have never played league fixtures. They are good games to look forward to for fans and players alike.
“There is a lot of hard work between now and then. We report back for pre-season next week and it will be good to get back to work, see the boys and the new signings and get started.”