League Two Season Preview 2011/12: Burton Albion

Together with Maxi Hobbs (http://www.maxihobbs.com/blog/) and Ben Mayhew (http://greenwichgull.wordpress.com/) we are bringing you a full League Two Preview this week, starting today and running up until Sunday when we plan to release a fully predicted League Table. Here, I look at Burton Albion who suffered from the big freeze last season and will be hoping for a more evenly spaced campaign this time around.

Recap of last season	A bizarre season for the Brewers, with a spate of postponements seeing them play only 4 games from November to February leaving them constantly behind in the games played column and effectively ruining their season. For a long time it seemed they’d be potential relegation candidates as they struggled to keep up with two games a week but a late run steered them clear.
Personnel in	Winger Cleveland Taylor increases the attacking options for the Brewers after signing from SPL side St. Johnstone. Derby born Chris Palmer rejected the offer of a new contract at Gillingham to sign on a free transfer.
Personnel out	Winger Lewis Young, who was with the Brewers at the end of last season was released but immediately joined up with League Two rivals Northampton Town. Richard Walker (released) Richard Jackson (released) Keith Gilroy (released) Garyn Preen (released)
Strengths	Home games were key to Albion’s survival last season, with 68.6% of their points coming from games at the Pirelli Stadium.
Weaknesses	The shots to goals ratio will have to improve after it took an average of nine shots to produce a goal last term. Inconsistency issues will also have to be addressed.
Key man	Aaron Webster – A club legend in the making, Webster has made over five hundred appearances for Albion after coming through the youth team ranks and graduating to the first team in 1998. An ever present last season, his experience and versatility is key to any Brewers success.
One to watch	Cleveland Taylor – A summer signing from St Johnstone, Taylor made 21 appearances in the SPL last season and jumps straight into the right wing position vacated by the released Lewis Young. A previous loan spell at the Pirelli saw Taylor score four times and after a season in Scotland, the 27-Year-Old is coming into the peak of his career.
Outlook	Paul Peschisolido will be desperate to avoid another relegation battle and will be hoping for none of the shocking weather that hit their mid season fixtures last November and December. I can see some improvement coming but not enough to mount a serious challenge.
Predictions	Ben: It’s hard to pick a side to go down, but Burton have a few key gaps that could put them in real trouble this season Danny: Mid-table the best I can see for Albion. Maxi: A season of struggle for Burton could see a return to Non League