Rochdale’s pressing game proves too much for Burton as the Brewers drop bottom of the table

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Rochdale edged their League One counterparts Burton at the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Matthew Lund early in the second half.

Going into the game, the Dale were sat two places below the hosts on goal difference, with both sides occupying spaces in the relegation zone. However, Brian Barry-Murphy’s plan was evident from the off, press and force the opponent into making mistakes.

This didn’t quite work in the opening half an hour as neither side created a chance of note with Rochdale captain Olly Rathbone the brightest spark on the pitch.

The game did start to open up though in the latter stages for the first half with both sides getting opportunities in the box but a lack of individual quality in the final third for both teams was evident.

The deadlock was broken though in the 49th minute as a decent free-kick delivery from Morley found the head of Lund whose effort looped over a helpless O’Hara in the Burton goal.

Despite searching for an equaliser, Jake Buxton’s men never really looked like getting one and the visitors seemed the more likely side to score next.

Whilst the Brewers manager shouted the occasional instruction at his players, his counterpart Barry-Murphy was constantly barking orders at his players, as if he was permanently glued to the touchline.

In the end Rochdale deserved the three points but there are certainly concerns for Burton who looked lethargic and somewhat lost.

Jake Buxton came in in the summer following the departure of Nigel Clough, but four points from seven games plus a poor 4-2 defeat to Cambridge in the EFL Trophy recently isn’t the start the Staffordshire club wanted. It’s too early to say that the 35-year-old is out of his depth, but at times he looked lost on the touchline and his players didn’t look like they knew what they were supposed to be doing.

Results need to pick up soon otherwise Burton will be finding themselves in an unwanted battle to remain in the third tier of English football.

Next up for the Brewers is a home game against midtable Wimbledon whilst Rochdale will look to build on their important win with a trip to Shrewsbury.

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