BURTON Albion Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Sam Rose was delighted with the Young Brewers progression to the EFL Youth Alliance Cup semi-finals following a convincing 4-0 win against Salford City.
Albion secured their first win of 2022 as goals from Jakub Niemczyk, Callum Niven and Charlie Williams all helped put Burton 3-0 up in the first half before Niemczyk got another in the second half.
Reflecting on the win and the preparation for it, Rose said: “We did a couple days’ worth of prep coming into the game, which we don’t always do but I think the importance of trying to win to get to the semi-final, as we set out at the start of the season to win this competition, so that’s what we are here to do and we’ve got an opportunity to do that, we are still in the cup.
“We did an in-possession and out-of-possession day, tried to get as much information as possible to the players so they were prepared and organised and it just so happened that when we got here, the game looked how we thought it might look and the work that we’d done helped us get the result, which is not always the case.
“It was really pleasing today that we pressed well, we’d worked on it and it’s helped us win the game.
“I think we did dominate from the start and I think that’s due to the lads' application and their qualities and their individual performances and also they were that they were set up.”
The EFL Youth Alliance Cup was marked as a priority for the Young Brewers, and the return of some of the side’s loaned out players, such as Niven and Williams, reflected that.
Rose stated: “Today was about winning the game so we wanted to get our best players into the team, those boys that have been out on loan certainly fit in that bracket.
"So it was important when we structured the loans this time around that the loan clubs were aware that we wanted to prioritise this competition and that they would be involved with us, like you would do with the Youth Cup.
“To get your best group together, and for them to play like that, it’s great, it gives you a buzz, the lads were pleased, we were pleased, and it gives you something to focus on now.
“When we play in the league, we’ll be young, there’ll be boys out on loan but if you prioritise a game and a competition that you want to win and you do, it’s great, it’s a big tick in the box and everyone’s motivated by it.”
Despite the great win and having advanced to the semi-finals, the Young Brewers know that they cannot get carried away and the focus remains on what’s next for the team.
“We set out to win the competition so it’s just another step in the right direction really, I said at half time don’t be complacent, if it ends 3-0 fine, if it ends 3-1 fine but don’t let it get close to 3-2 then it becomes more of a contest.
“They are going to be pleased with winning today and it will help us this week as they’ll have something to work towards and we’ll all be motivated by it and looking forward to the next game.