Hounsell: Burton Maintain Belief in Every Match

Tom Hounsell, the interim manager for Burton Albion, whose tenure has seen four wins, five losses, and one draw across 10 matches, stated that his team maintains the conviction to approach every game believing they can reverse their season’s trajectory. This assertion follows an encouraging display against Wrexham, a club vying for promotion in League One. The sole goal of the match came from Elliot Lee, who scored directly from a corner kick with the aid of the wind, enabling Wrexham, known as the Dragons, to secure a slim victory at the windy Pirelli Stadium. Despite the outcome leaving Burton Albion, referred to as the Brewers, in the relegation zone and eight points adrift of safety, Hounsell expressed satisfaction with his team’s efforts. He informed BBC Radio Derby, “We’ve come a long way from where we were in defending set-pieces since the start of the season and that’s credit to the work that’s been done – so it’s a shame to concede one of that nature.” Hounsell added, “If I’m being a little bit critical, we could’ve used the conditions a little bit better in the first half when they were with us and in our favour, but I think that’s just a little reflection on where things are at with us at the moment.” Hounsell, aged 29, has been serving as interim manager since Mark Robinson’s dismissal in October. Prior to the match against Wrexham, the club’s new ownership had indicated that he was a candidate for the permanent managerial role. Notwithstanding only two victories throughout the season and a surprising FA Cup loss to non-league Tamworth, Hounsell expressed optimism regarding Burton’s chances of avoiding relegation. This optimism follows their previous game’s win against Peterborough, which moved them from the league’s lowest position. Hounsell stated, “I know there’s been huge disappointment with that fixture [Tamworth] but if you look at the whole picture, we’ve been competitive.” He continued, “Bar the Stockport game [a 3-0 home defeat] we’ve been there or thereabouts. “It’s really easy, with the games coming so thick and fast, to get sucked into thinking that you’re in a worse situation than you are.” Hounsell further remarked, “But credit to the players – the belief they’ve showed so far – and continue to do so – means we come into every game with belief.” He added, “We got what we deserved in midweek [against Peterborough] and I think we deserved something better [against Wrexham].” Hounsell concluded, “They’re near the top of the league and this just shows we can go toe-to-toe with anyone and that’s the belief we need to carry forward into every game.”