Burton Feeling the Pressure as Torquay Close In

With the Premiership, Champions League and International scene sure to dominate the football arena for the next few months, there are sure to be some stories that go under the radar.

None more so than in the Blue Square Premier, which after looking like a forgone conclusion is set to climax with a fascinating race for the single automatic promotion spot, with the prize of the Football League awaiting the winner.

With just five games remaining for the majority of teams, things have started to get interesting after the seeming collapse of runaway leaders Burton Albion.

Ever since the Brewers 1-0 victory over Northwich Victoria at the beginning of November, the club have sat proudly at the top of the Blue Square Premier, and have since extended their lead to as much as 18 points at one stage.

As if things couldn’t get better for the club, the fortunes of their fixtures within the difficult weather conditions were favourable, as they rarely had games postponed, leaving no backlog of matches to play.

Burton’s form did continue until a surprising draw with struggling Woking was the catalyst for just three wins in the clubs next 10 games.

That dreadful run included Monday nights dismal defeat to Torquay United, as Roy McFarland’s men showed that both late season nerves and loss of form can equal a string of dreadful performances.

While Burton have been enduring a loss of form it’s been the emergence of Paul Buckle’s men that have given the runaway leaders the biggest fright.

Unbeaten in their last ten, Buckle has pulled together a squad every bit as strong as last years side that missed out on promotion.

But while they lost the all-so important promotion showdown with Aldershot Town at almost the same stage last season, they have given themselves a chance of catching the table-toppers this time around.

Monday evening’s win leaves an eight point gap between the two, but with a game in hand for Torquay and the two still meet on the final day, Burton have at best a two point cushion.

And that cushion is hardly the most stable, with some tough games still in the offing before the showdown on the final day.

A trip to improving Kidderminster Harriers is sandwiched between hosting both Histon, who are deep in the play-off fight, and improving Oxford United, who are set to miss out on a top five place but will still pose a worthy opponent.

The fixture list couldn’t be more difficult for Burton, who will find the going tough without top scorer Greg Pearson who saw a straight red on Monday night for a lunge at Tim Sills.

To rub salt in the wound Shaun Harrad has been on the sidelines for a few games now, and his return hasn’t been pinpointed yet, so goal getting could be an issue for McFarland, whose own job hasn’t been made easy by the quick start made by his predecessor this season.

Although it might be an easy accusation to make, the departure of Nigel Clough to Derby County in early January could well be a factor in Burton’s inability to cross the finishing line.

Clough had built his Burton side over a number of years, and for many football fans around it was disappointing not to see him complete the job he started 11 years ago.

Torquay of course have it all to do to pile the pressure on Burton, with all four of their up coming games before the match with Burton must wins for the South Devon club.

Their own games to play are far easier than their rivals, with the trip to Stevenage Borough the most difficult game for the Yellows to endure.

Can the comeback be completed though? Well I believe it can.

While Torquay just keep getting better and better, Burton are really feeling the nerves, and I expect the title to still be up for grabs when the two tussle in the final game of the season.

After writing off Torquay for almost the entire year, I feel this is their big chance to grasp promotion back to the Football League, while Burton will be left thinking what if, after the departure of Clough earlier in the season.

So as Manchester United attempt to throw Liverpool off the title scent in the Premiership, there a title battle that’s proving just as exciting at the other end of the football pyramid.