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Burton Albion 1-2 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 28th Oct 2017 17:07

Bersant Celina came off the bench to curl home a brilliant 89th minute freekick and complete a Blues comeback as they came from behind to beat Burton Albion 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium. Ben Turner put the Brewers deservedly in front before Martyn Waghorn equalised prior to Celina's late stunner.

Mick McCarthy has named an attacking line-up featuring all four of his frontline strikers, David McGoldrick, Joe Garner, Waghorn and Freddie Sears.

The Blues started in a system with Sears, Garner and Waghorn ahead of McGoldrick playing in a role between the front three and deeper midfield pairing Cole Skuse and Tristan Nydam.

The injured Tom Adeyemi dropped out of the team for Sears, who scored in both games against the Brewers last season, while Kevin Bru was on the bench for only the third time this season.

For Burton, keeper Connor Ripley was handed his league debut, while right-back John Brayford misses out with a hamstring injury.

Former Blues striker Luke Varney and ex-loan keeper Stephen Bywater were among the Brewers’ subs.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side, Jake Buxton flicking Matty Lund’s sixth-minute freekick from the left straight at Bartosz Bialkowski.

Two minutes later, Marvin Sordell saw a shot deflect wide for a corner. From the flag-kick, the ball eventually ran to Turner at a tight angle on the left from where he hit a shot into the side-netting, some of the Brewers support initially thinking it had gone in.

Town struggled to make too much headway in a tight opening to the game in which Burton gave the Blues little time on the ball and they were largely limited to long balls forward to their front three which the home defence dealt with comfortably.

Presumably as a result, after Sordell had undergone treatment in the 18th minute, Town tweaked their system with McGoldrick moving to the right side of a three behind Garner with Waghorn in the centre and Sears to the left.

Town had looked to catch the Brewers on the counter-attack from the off but were unable to do so until the 27th minute when, after a decent Burton move had broken down, McGoldrick found Sears breaking in space on the left. However, the former Colchester man’s cross flew beyond the far post and out for a goalkick.

The Blues eventually began to make more of an impression and on the half hour Waghorn cleverly turned away from his man midway inside the Burton half before playing in McGoldrick, whose low shot was saved down to his left by Ripley.

Moments later, Garner struck an effort from distance which appeared to catch a Brewers player on the way wide but referee Simon Hooper gave a goalkick.

Town’s two strikes led to sarcastic chants of ‘we’ve had a shot’ from the Town support behind the goal at the other end.

Burton were next to threaten, Sordell hitting a low shot from 20 yards which Bialkowski spilled. However, the keeper was able to block the follow-up from Lund at point-blank.

The Brewers had an even better opportunity in the 35th minute, Sordell feeding in Dyer on the right of the area but Bialkowski saved with an outstretched boot as the winger looked to shoot across him into the far corner.


The wind that Town had played into all half got stronger as the half wore on, Bialkowski finding harder and harder to get distance on his long kicks.

On 44 Lund shot wide from not far outside the area, then just before the period moved into one additional minute, McGoldrick was sent away on the left but the Blues frontman could only find the side-netting.

Seconds before the whistle there was a big scare for Town when Sordell was sent away behind the backline - the former Watford man looked to have been well offside - but fortunately for the Blues he shot wide.

The end of the half was greeted by boos from the Town support, the Blues having been underwhelming throughout the half, unable to gain the upper hand, impose themselves on the game or retain the ball.

Burton had had much the better of the period and might well have been ahead but for some less than clinical finishing and a couple of stops from Bialkowski, who really ought to have been worked more.

Town would need to be much better after the break if they were to return to winning ways.

The second half started much as the second had ended, along with this season’s first chants of ‘Mick McCarthy, your football is s–t’ from the travelling fans.

Lund hit a 50th minute shot from the edge of the box which was blocked, then Stephen Warnock’s cross from the left flashed across the Town area without a Burton player being able to add a touch.

Town almost carved out the game’s opening goal in the 52nd minute, Waghorn doing well before Garner threaded in McGoldrick but Jake Buxton made an important challenge. From the corner, a Burton defender inadvertently and fortunately looped the ball straight back to Ripley.

Blues skipper Luke Chambers was subsequently booked, apparently for hampering the keeper as he looked to clear quickly, although it seemed harsh.

The game was becoming more open and Burton weren’t far away from going in front in the 55th minute when Luke Murphy hit a shot from the edge of the box which Bialkowski superbly tipped wide.

But the Brewers, who had gone five games without scoring prior to the match, weren’t to be denied for much longer. Lund sent in the corner from the right, Garner was unable to rise high enough and Turner behind him nodded over Bialkowski and into the net.

As the home fans celebrated, the chants from the Town support regarding McCarthy’s style of football immediately restarted.

The Blues immediately switched Nydam for Bru, who was making his first appearance of the season, and Burton swapped Jamie Allen for Matty Palmer.

As the game reached the 65th minute mark Town finally began to put the home side under some sustained pressure. Garner saw a number of crosses from the right blocked and eventually a loose ball fall to him 20 yards out and the Blues’ top scorer slammed his seventh of the season through a crowd of players and into the net to level.

The goal lifted Town and in the 71st minute they should have gone in front. Waghorn out-battled Kyle McFadzean inside the Burton box to the left and found himself one-on-one with Ripley at a tight angle with Sears breaking to the far post. Waghorn opted to shoot with the outside of his boot and Ripley helped it past the post.

On 72 Sears was replaced by Grant Ward, then three minutes later, with the Blues’ confidence evidently growing, McGoldrick cut in from the left and smashed a shot not too far wide. Soon after, former Blue Varney replaced Sordell for the Brewers.

Waghorn was booked for a foul on Murphy on 78 as the Town support called for the introduction of on-loan Manchester City winger Celina, whose future with the Blues beyond the turn of the year has been the subject of speculation following an ambiguous tweet last night.

With six minutes remaining the fans got their wish, the Kosovan international taking over from McGoldrick.

And what an impact he made. On 89 the 21-year-old looked to find room for a shot as he brought the ball in from the left following Bru’s short corner.

Eventually he tried to play a pass into the box, then was unceremoniously sent flying by a wild Warnock challenge which may have been fortunate to draw only a yellow card from referee Hooper.

Celina took the freekick himself and brilliantly curled the ball to Ripley’s left and into the net to send the Town support wild.

The goalscorer himself took his shirt off and threw it deep into the Blues supporters at the side of the pitch before celebrating with his team-mates and those behind the goal before posing Cristiano Ronaldo style.

After the lengthy process of getting his shirt back from the crowd was completed, Celina, who has taken his goals tally to four, accepted his yellow card.

Having taken the lead, Town looked a completely different team to the one which had laboured for much of the match and might even have scored again, with Waghorn unable to turn a Ward cross from the right home, then Celina not too far away from a second having cut in from the left but Ripley blocked.

Burton never looked like getting an equaliser in the closing minutes and Hooper’s whistle confirmed Town’s first win after three successive defeats.

The Blues deserved to be behind to Turner's goal after a thoroughly drab first hour but had started to get on top ahead of Waghorn's goal.

Town were the more likely victors having equalised but without creating too many opportunities before Celina's brilliant winner.

The result sees the Blues move up one place to 10th, one point off the play-offs ahead of Tuesday's trip to third-placed Cardiff, who drew 0-0 at home to Millwall today.

Burton: Ripley, Warnock, McFadzean, Buxton (c), Turner, Murphy, Allen (Palmer 59), Lund, Akins, Dyer, Sordell (Varney 76). Unused: Bywater, Flanagan, Naylor, Akpan, Barker.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Webster, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Nydam (Bru 59), Sears (Ward 72), Waghorn, McGoldrick (Celina 84), Garner. Unused: Gerken, Iorfa, Connolly, Downes. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 4,110.


Photo: Action Images



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midastouch added 17:08 - Oct 28
How many more points would we have now if Celina had of been involved far more???

Kevin Bru coming off the bench 25 minutes earlier than Celina!! Really??? Only on Planet Mick could such a daft thing happen!

And Celina finally get his chance in the 84 minute and saves Mick's bacon just 5 mins later! If Mick doesn't repay him with a start next game then then he should get in his car and drive back to Man City himself!

Celina should of played from the start against Norwich, it makes me sick he was left to go to waste on the bench for nearly the entire match. And 3 points today changes absolutley nothing for me, Mick is well beyond his sell by date! How can he not see what so many of us can which is that Celina is without doubt the most creative talent at the club this season? And sadly we've not utilised him anywhere near as much as he should of been! Hopefully Mick will have finally seen the light about Celina after today but I still wouldn't count on it!
48

JimmyP45 added 17:11 - Oct 28
Mick, let's be realistic if we can please!
1) Playing 4 in defense and 4 up front with absolutely nothing to show in midfield simply will not work long term.
2) Celina is the best player in our squad hands down. So play him!
3) Our keeper saves our skin every game and we are lucky not to be in the bottom 3 because of him.

An EXTREMELY luck result today.
41

cromwellblue added 17:13 - Oct 28
Got away with that....

Agree with Midas, why is Celina warming the bench??? And how can he be put on after Bru who has been told he can leave.

Bemused
44

WirralBlue added 17:13 - Oct 28
Bersant Celina is the most talented current Ipswich player. He is unselfish, he has an eye for a pass, he is creative, he scores goals AND he does the things Mick considers pre-requisite, namely tracking back and working hard. So why Mick doesn't start him is beyond me. He will go back to City at Christmas and we will never know how much he could have done for us.

51

itfchorry added 17:13 - Oct 28
Doesn't change anything -

MCCarthy - OUT
42

yungblue added 17:17 - Oct 28
Can't let Celina stunning strike paper over the cracks. 85 minutes Town were 2nd best to Burton Albion. Better teams go to these places, 2-0 up after 60 and cruise I go the finish whereas we're scrapping to save embarrassment.

MM proves to be as clueless as ever. Although it's near impossible to drop Celina MM will not play him Tuesday night.

The last 18 months have been only as good/bad as Paul Jewell and Roy Keane. The man is an embarrassment that has to go.
33

jas0999 added 17:18 - Oct 28
Always pleased to win albeit undeservedly against a very poor team. Would much rather win than lose, but my hope is that McCarthy won't be arrogant and smug, nor slate the fans. Cardiff and all fixtures in November will be massively bigger tests. Let's judge come 1 December.

I'd normally say well done to the players and the manager after a win. But today I'm not going to do so. We got away with it thanks to a piece of brilliance from a player who has so much quality that on his day could play in the premier league and has performed at higher levels. Yet our manager continues to not play him instead choosing his favourites. It's bizarre, but shows MM up for what he is. His ego doesn't allow him to pick Celina, regardless of what's best for the club.

Despite a win, to me, today has seen more negatives. Unacceptable first half. Poor performance. Manager refusing to play our quality player. Toxic atmosphere. Struggled to beat a team we should be winning against comfortably. I find myself remarkably feeling little after this win.
35

Bluetone added 17:21 - Oct 28
If Dino tries to take the credit for that he is a bigger plonker than even I thought.
Never mind Muck just bank your cheque and pretend you earned it.
21

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:24 - Oct 28
Never have i been less bothered by a town win. Meh.
12

blueboy1981 added 17:29 - Oct 28
3 Points - we have to be happy with that. Well done all.

'Celina to the Dinosaurs Rescue' - would make a good headline. How can the Dinosaur not play him from the start ? - no logical explanation at all.
Never mind Celina your torture period is only for another couple of months and then hopefully your talents can be displayed in front of a Football Manager, and not a Dinosaur. What a wasted time at our Club, of such a talent.

McGoldrick wasted yet again out wide.

Hoofball in a strong wind - where's the brain cell employed in that ?

Get this poor excuse of a Manager out of our Club as soon as possible.

Thanks for the magic at the end Celina - at least you're appreciated by the Supporters who can spot your talent, and know how we should be capitalising on it.
23

sereneblue added 17:29 - Oct 28
Normally I would have been jumping round the room for joy when we hit the winner and although I was pleased my emotions were muted.
McCathy must be the most self centred person to grace this planet,he will no doubt tell the media how his game plan came together beating a very poor side and have the usual backhanded snipe at the fans saying how he always knows better. I have never felt so impassive for the club I love.
I will say how proud I am of the very loyal following that went to Burton today,at least you do the the club proud .
20

mikepc added 17:29 - Oct 28
match was $hit.
Celina's celebration was the best moment all season for me.

12

dusty added 17:31 - Oct 28
I sincerely hope, that Besant Celina, in his over the top celebration after his last gasp goal, included a single finger salute aimed in the direction of McCarthy
22

blueboy1981 added 17:32 - Oct 28
Only a Dinosaur in todays game would expect all Players to be Pit Ponies.
9

martin587 added 17:32 - Oct 28
The only plus coming out of this was the three points.What on earth is MM up to,bringing on Bru who has told he can leave leave the club.MM I'm lost for words with whatever you attempt to do now.
Midfield non exsistant,four strikers without service,leaving Celina on the bench.Long drive home and plenty to think about.😡
18

carlo88 added 17:41 - Oct 28
I think for the first time ever, watching Soccer Saturday, I was not bothered which way the goal had gone having heard there was a third goal at the end. Obviously pleased we won. Wouldn't it be lovely to have am arrogant, crowd pleaser like Celina looks like being, playing regularly but it ain't going to happen is it.
7

Pilgrimblue added 17:41 - Oct 28
Great posts guys.

MM will claim all the credit no doubt but what gets me is at the post match interview he wont be asked why he didn't start with most talented player. If he does he wont accept his stupidity and fob off question. Surely someone will take him off our hands!
6

runningout added 17:42 - Oct 28
a lot of our squad are better than what they are showing us.. Worrying times
5

Elizabeth added 17:48 - Oct 28
We won the game and I'm delighted about that ! Whoever MM chooses to play or not play is down to him ! There is no point complaining at this stage of the season , he is here for the rest of this campaign! Hopefully this result will give them confidence for the midweek game !
I don't suppose I will gain any likes as the criteria for that privilege is to slate the manager !
What a thankless task he has !!
4

therein61 added 17:49 - Oct 28
Well great conceited leader you got away with it today so now it will be endless crowing from your good self!!!!! about how you masterminded a great recovery and nicked 3 points, an average Burton were better than us for far more of the 90 mins for comfort and yet you continue to select the premiership class number 8 who clearly cannot keep up with the demands of championship football he continually plays team mates in trouble with hospital passes is not quick enough to track back if a forward move breaks down and we are under pressure, yet he has the energy to stand and point the finger at anyone else he is Mick just like yourself a complete and utter waste of space!!!!!!! that's my view SWN98 and all you other Mick lovers just mark me down and make yourselves happy, how you can defend this managers tenure beggars belief.
12

pragmatic added 17:52 - Oct 28
3points courtesy of Celina the only positive due diligence on micks replacement has already started!
4

blue75 added 17:52 - Oct 28
An attacking line up and 3 points. It's what we've asked for all along. I know it won't last and away from home any point is good. Let's hope Celina gets some starts now!!!
7

Seasider added 17:54 - Oct 28
Mentioned before the match in reply to Muccletonjoe about BERSANT CELINA not scoring that to do so he had to be on the pitch.

I think he has scored 4 goals now which is a terrific return considering how little he has played.His goal today should show our dinosaur of a manager that if you have good players then they should be played regardless of your personal feelings.

McCarthy once again started with a weak midfield of 'Sideways Skues'and the lightweight Nydam.As a result Burton had the better of the first half,and went ahead in the second.

The plan,if there was one,appeared to be the McCarthy hoof style he is so fond of,to the dimuntive strikers.Even the classy Webster never runs forward anymore,no doubt under instructions.Pass and move being non existent in the Dino's plan.

When Ipswich went behind action was taken with Bru Ward and belatedly Celina all coming on;so that the game was won by a brilliant free kick.

This by all accounts was not a good game,perhaps spoiled by the wind,Micks tactics and personnel chosen initially;but we are only just short of playoffs with a game in hand thanks to the Kosovan and a good striker in Waghorn.

I should like to see all the subs start on Tuesday against Cardiff to the exclusion of Sears,Nydam and Garner who gets no joy in the air against big centre half's because of his stature.

He had to change it
12

prebsa added 17:57 - Oct 28
A performance that unfortunately papers over the cracks and saves mick!

Leaving Celina on the bench again shows he is so clueless and really dosent care to try and win a game. The tactics in the first half were poor and we were so boring and dull with our football.

Celina will be gone in January if he dosent play. Best scenario is that he plays and Mick is gone in January!!!
19

ThePinkMist added 18:02 - Oct 28
MICK IN!!
-13


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