Post by Norah on Oct 1, 2014 7:07:03 GMT
GARY Rowett is pleased his Burton Albion side is generally coping better with League Two's big teams this season.
The Brewers have faced four of the division's more direct outfits so far – Newport, Mansfield, AFC Wimbledon and Cheltenham.
They have won two, drawn one and lost one of the games.
In previous seasons they have been bullied at times and Rowett is glad to see what appears to be an end to the problem.
"Last year at times we looked a little bit smaller than we would've liked to be," admitted the Albion chief.
"It wasn't a huge issue but it caused us one or two problems.
"Every team has a different strategy and some like to play in a direct way.
"We needed to be more physical in games than we had been.
"We've coped physically well with that."
Rowett is happy with the more athletic nature of his squad in 2014-15.
The likes of winger Lucas Akins and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin have added athleticism and size to the squad.
The player Rowett credits with largely changing the Brewers is midfielder John Mousinho.
The 28-year-old, though, is not just a lump sat in front of the back four.
"The big factor, without singling any one player out too much, is John Mousinho," said Rowett. "He has been a big factor.
"He gives you that little bit of size in midfield but it doesn't compromise anything else.
"He's a big player but he's also very athletic and has a lot of quality on the ball as you can see from the two goals he has scored already.
"He's been a big factor in that improved athleticism, along with the others too.
"We've got extra size in front of the back four without compromising anything."
Against Cheltenham on Saturday, Rowett admits he took a gamble in starting Akins, who had not trained all week because of a foot injury.
But he felt he needed the presence of the big winger – and was rewarded as the wideman helped the Brewers get back to winning ways.
"It was a difficult game," said the manager. "The aim was to try to be solid again.
"I took a bit of a gamble with the team by naming three or four who wouldn't last the whole game.
"Second-half it took it's toll, particularly on the two wide players who hadn't had much football.
"I'm pleased we navigated what could've been a very, very difficult second half.
"It was very encouraging."
Read more: www.burtonmail.co.uk/Burton-Albion-boss-Gary-Rowett-pleased-increased/story-23023330-detail/story.html?#ixzz3EsHqhab3
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The Brewers have faced four of the division's more direct outfits so far – Newport, Mansfield, AFC Wimbledon and Cheltenham.
They have won two, drawn one and lost one of the games.
In previous seasons they have been bullied at times and Rowett is glad to see what appears to be an end to the problem.
"Last year at times we looked a little bit smaller than we would've liked to be," admitted the Albion chief.
"It wasn't a huge issue but it caused us one or two problems.
"Every team has a different strategy and some like to play in a direct way.
"We needed to be more physical in games than we had been.
"We've coped physically well with that."
Rowett is happy with the more athletic nature of his squad in 2014-15.
The likes of winger Lucas Akins and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin have added athleticism and size to the squad.
The player Rowett credits with largely changing the Brewers is midfielder John Mousinho.
The 28-year-old, though, is not just a lump sat in front of the back four.
"The big factor, without singling any one player out too much, is John Mousinho," said Rowett. "He has been a big factor.
"He gives you that little bit of size in midfield but it doesn't compromise anything else.
"He's a big player but he's also very athletic and has a lot of quality on the ball as you can see from the two goals he has scored already.
"He's been a big factor in that improved athleticism, along with the others too.
"We've got extra size in front of the back four without compromising anything."
Against Cheltenham on Saturday, Rowett admits he took a gamble in starting Akins, who had not trained all week because of a foot injury.
But he felt he needed the presence of the big winger – and was rewarded as the wideman helped the Brewers get back to winning ways.
"It was a difficult game," said the manager. "The aim was to try to be solid again.
"I took a bit of a gamble with the team by naming three or four who wouldn't last the whole game.
"Second-half it took it's toll, particularly on the two wide players who hadn't had much football.
"I'm pleased we navigated what could've been a very, very difficult second half.
"It was very encouraging."
Read more: www.burtonmail.co.uk/Burton-Albion-boss-Gary-Rowett-pleased-increased/story-23023330-detail/story.html?#ixzz3EsHqhab3
Follow us: @burtonmailnews on Twitter | BurtonNews on Facebook
Read more at www.burtonmail.co.uk/Burton-Albion-boss-Gary-Rowett-pleased-increased/story-23023330-detail/story.html?#vQaD1PjvDo4A8duL.99
