Reviewing 2025/26

Always expected the struggle are Burton. Yet somehow they manage to find that extra gear just when it's needed. That's now 8 seasons on the spin in League One for the Brewers. I would hazard a guess that they've been expected by many to be relegated for every single one of those.

They ended up 5 points clear of the drop zone having claimed eight points from their last 6 games, going u beaten in the process. Jake Beesley chipped in with 13 goals and ended the season as the clubs top scorer.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

Gary Bowyer's side were bottom on New Year's Day a couple of years ago and were in the bottom four the season before that, too. I don't even know why I bother predicting them to go down as they just don't...

The singing of Matthew Dennis from Notts County is a shrewd one but they need to follow it up with at least 3 or 4 more having seen a number of their first team squad heading out the exit door this summer. You often see youngsters getting picked up and older players drifiting around at this level, but worryingly, 10 of the players that have left were between 22 and 29. Peak years for players and at this level, replacing the peak crop costs serious money.

Court Offside Tip

Every year I say it. I'm saying it again. Burton will be relegated this season. I sort of hope I'm wrong again because it's becoming a running joke and one day I'll dig out the years of losses the Brewers have cost me. 11/8 on their demise in 2026/27 was enough to lure me in for another fateful and probably fruitless punt.