Interim Manager Hounsell Expresses Confidence in Burton Albion’s Imminent Wins

Despite Burton Albion’s current 13-game winless streak in League One this season, interim head coach Tom Hounsell maintains that the club is nearing the end of its challenging start to the campaign. Since Hounsell assumed interim leadership, the team’s record stands at one win, one draw, and one loss. The team, currently positioned at the bottom of League One, concluded a seven-match losing streak in the league by securing a goalless draw against Crawley Town, also a struggling side, on Tuesday. Burton Albion recently achieved a notable victory this season, defeating non-league club Scarborough Athletic in the FA Cup first round on Saturday. However, in the league, the team has accumulated only five points out of a potential 39 since the season began. This Saturday, Burton is scheduled to play Shrewsbury Town, the team directly above them in the league standings, which dismissed its manager, Paul Hurst, on Sunday. Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Hounsell stated, “Yes it’s a big game and yes they are around us, but equally I think we can go and win any game and there are plenty of points still to play for.” He added, “We’ll take the confidence and the mentality that we have shown and we will build good performances and get wins soon.” Hounsell assumed interim management of the east Staffordshire club following the dismissal of Mark Robinson on 23 October. He was promoted from his previous role as Robinson’s assistant, a position he took up upon his arrival at the Pirelli Stadium in the summer as part of the Brewers’ ambitious restructuring efforts, which followed the club’s acquisition by the Nordic Football Group. During the match against Crawley, Burton demonstrated strength for significant portions of the first half, and an attempt by Ben Whitfield was disallowed due to offside. However, it required two crucial saves from Max Crocombe late in the game to secure a point for the Brewers. “We were quite disappointed with how the game ended,” Hounsell commented. He elaborated, “I thought the first-half performance was pretty complete. I thought we dominated the ball, had good control in the opposition’s half, had good chances and counter-pressed well, but we just didn’t turn it into the goal we needed to create an opportunity to build a win.” He further stated, “I’m happy with the clean sheet and happy that we dug in, but it does feel like an opportunity missed in terms of not being able to get that important goal.”