DINO Maamria says Saturday’s home game against Shrewsbury is a big one for both clubs.
With Shrewsbury sitting just five positions above the Brewers, the Albion manager stressed the importance of competing with the teams around you.
He said: “If we beat Shrewsbury we go four points behind them and if you had said to me after ten games we’d be in the mix in January I would have taken it. We have to be consistent, and I will do whatever it takes to change the fortunes of the club.”
Maamria praised Shrewsbury’s ability to hit teams on the counter-attack in games and marked it as something Burton would have to be wary of.
“They play with a back five and two holding midfielders, I’d call them a conservative team. They soak up the pressure and look to hit on the counter, exactly what they did to us at their place. We dominated the game and they scored two good goals in transition.”
Shrewsbury have struggled of late and have not picked up a point since their last-minute win against Bolton Wanders on December 10.
“They have had problems of late, but they had a red card in each of their last three league games which changed those games. They know they are better than that.
“I’m expecting the game to be a very tight affair. We have to give nothing away because we know they will give us nothing. We must be mindful of them on the counter-attack, we have to be on it.”
Maamria provided an injury update on Mustapha Carayol and Sam Winnall, who have returned to full fitness and are available for selection on Saturday.