Burton Albion may have had one of the most disastrous pre-seasons of all time according to a Twitter thread by Ryan O’Meara.
In pre-season, results aren’t important. While it can be good to get wins so momentum can be built before the start of the season, what matters more is getting the team right and making sure all the players are fit and reading to go for the season proper. But even so, things should be better than Burton’s pre-season efforts. Burton were relegated to Sky Bet League One last season following a two-year stint in the Sky Bet Championship.
Things started badly, but nothing out of the ordinary, when Tom Naylor turned down a chance to stay at Burton and instead headed to League One rivals. Things seemed to be heading further down hill when a contract offer to Lloyd Dyer was rescinded, with head coach Nigel Clough saying this was because Burton wanted to stick with a young squad this season.
Burton Albion, pre-season 2018/19.
A thread.. pic.twitter.com/kKTNjHx2LV— Ryan O'Meara (@_omeara_r) July 28, 2018
16th July: At the same time Burton also offer top-scorer, Lloyd Dyer, a new contract to keep him at the club for another year. Nigel Clough then withdraws the offer and tells the press he wants to play young players instead.. pic.twitter.com/HdkfcMRCLL
— Ryan O'Meara (@_omeara_r) July 28, 2018
However when pre-season started, things would get worse. They kicked off with an embarrassing 2-1 loss to non-league side Mickleover Sports though they did bounce back with a win over Kidderminster Harriers. Then they were back to square zero after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa, another side that have had serious problems this summer.
13th July: Burton kick off pre-season by naming a full-strength side against village team Mickleover Sports. They lose 2-1.. pic.twitter.com/wI1UtjXlFv
— Ryan O'Meara (@_omeara_r) July 28, 2018
Then things would get even worse. Just a few months after signing from Derby University, Tomas Egert had his contract cancelled as they were unable to pay his wages. The pre-season friendlies got even worse when they lost to Solihull Moors and Alfreton Town on consecutive days. The best man from those matches was Chris Beardsley, the fitness coach who scored in both.
23rd July: Burton announce that defender Tomas Egert, signed from Derby University in March, won't be staying with the club because they can't afford his wages.. pic.twitter.com/eyQnxaXasT
— Ryan O'Meara (@_omeara_r) July 28, 2018
And things would end just as badly. After cancelling a friendly against Matlock Town due to a lack of players available for the fixture, they ended pre-season with a 5-1 loss to Cardiff City.
Does this signify that Burton are in for a bad time this season? We’ll find out when it all kick offs next week.
