ECHOSPORT talks to Burton Albion fan Jack Stout ahead of tomorrow’s match at Roots Hall.

What have you made of the season so far?

“The season so far has been a frustratingly inconsistent one. We started off solid and built on that over a really impressive Christmas period.

From December through to the start of January it seems a metaphorical brick wall has been hit We’re winless in six, although four of those have been draws.

Perhaps the play-offs are out of sight for us now, but a few big performances in the upcoming games and you never know what could happen.”

What were the hopes for this season?

“A campaign in search of a play-off place was probably what most Burton fans hoped for coming into the season and that hope was ripe until a recent downturn in form has seen us slip to 12th, 10 points off the play-offs.

"With the amount of other teams challenging for spots, it’s hard to see us sneaking in, but, as I said, string a couple wins together and we could find ourselves back in the running.”

What do you put the loss of form down to?

“The loss of Liam Boyce was a huge hit for us, and then, arguably more so, not really bringing in a replacement striker. Eventually, we got in Kwarme Thomas, a free-agent, but Lucas Akins has been chosen ahead of him. In fairness, Akins really isn’t a striker.

“He’s more suited to a wider role where he can run directly at defenders and he has struggled to hold the ball up like Boyce did, especially so in our most recent game at Ipswich, where I hardly remember him getting a sniff.

"It is even more annoying to watch, because we know how good Akins is, and can be, but unfortunately, he’s not a striker.

Who do you feel is the dangerman?

“The dangerman has to be Jamie Murphy. He’s started six games since signing on loan from Rangers and he has scored four goals, an impressive return for a winger.

“Murphy’s dynamism on the wing is proving a real threat to the League’s full backs, and he has a clinical finish on him, cutting inside and driving towards either corner on his right foot.

"Scott Fraser could also be in with a shout here, although the Scotsman has dropped out of favour recently, potentially as there are only five months remaining on his contract.”

What's the team news?

"Team news wise we are pretty injury free.

"Keeper Kieran O’Hara was injured against Ipswich, so it is likely Ben Garrett will make his first Burton League debut at Roots hall. Defenders Colin Daniel, Jake Buxton and John Joe O’Toole are all touch and go, after being out for the game at Portman Road last weekend.

"Other than that, we should be okay, and hopefully string together a strong squad.