Burton Albion’s job is “crystal clear” going into the final game of the Championship season, says Lucas Akins.
The Brewers travel to play-off hopefuls Preston North End this weekend for a Sunday game (12.30pm kick-off) looking for a victory as other teams in the relegation battle take on sides also pushing for promotion.
Reading travel to Cardiff City, Birmingham City host Fulham and Barnsley travel to Derby County. Bolton Wanderers, a point below Albion, play Nottingham Forest in the final round of fixtures.
But for Akins, voted Player of the Season by supporters and his teammates this week, The Brewers must focus on their task at Deepdale.
“We’ve had a renewed focus and we know our goals,” said Akins.
“After the Hull game, we had a local derby against Derby County and we didn’t want them to be the ones to stick the knife in.
“After beating them, you reassess the table and it seemed crystal clear what we had to do - just win the next game (against Sunderland).
“(Then) we’d have a great chance at home (against Bolton) with how the fixtures turned out and we did it again, so it can’t be any clearer for the job we need to do now.
“On Sunday, we know what we need to do.”
Akins says Albion will relish heading to Preston on Sunday and that The Brewers are fully focused on getting the required result.
“It’s going to be very nervy for the fans but as players, we just have to keep calm,” Akins added.
“On the pitch it is a little bit like that but there’s no nervousness when the whistle goes. We’ll relish it. Before the Bolton game you are looking at their team and thinking they’ve got a lot of experience, but we’re no mugs either.
“We’ve seen it all before and the management staff have as well. We’re in the best hands to set us up for that.
“We’re focused on what we’ve got to do.”