Burton Albion’s Jackson Irvine has said to the Burton Mail that he is happy to play a different role in the team even if it does mean he scores less goals.
The 24-year-old midfielders had a lot of pressure on him when he signed for the Brewers back in the summer because he was the club’s record signing when they paid out £250K to lure him away from Scottish side Ross County. But thankfully he has paid the club back in spades since this because he has quickly become a star for the club. Even though he was a midfielder, he became the team’s highest scorer after netting nine times.
But over the last few weeks his goalscoring form has seemingly disappeared, though he did score a very good one against Sheffield Wednesday during the week to help them to get a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough. But Irvine has said that this is due a change in the system which has forced him further back, something he has been happy to do to help the rest of the team.
He said: “A lot of people have asked me about the goals drying up and this and that,”
“We’ve adapted our play and that’s meant I’ve had to take a step back, play a different role in the team than I was used to in the 3-5-2 formation.”
“We don’t cross the ball as much without the wing-backs, we like to keep the back four nice and narrow. We play with wide players that like to come inside.”
“That’s where most of my goals came from, those crosses arriving – I should have done better with one cross five minutes before I scored. I’m happy to do a job within the team.”
“I’m used to being a more defensive, box-to-box midfielder and winning tackles and second balls in the middle of the park. If you can chip in with a goal, it’s the best feeling, especially when you hit one like that.”
