BURTON Albion boss Paul Peschisolido is not expecting another Cheltenham Town goal orgy.
The teams meet at the Abbey Business Stadium tomorrow, kick-off 3pm, for the first time since the Robins pulled off a remarkable victory at the Pirelli Stadium in March.
That League Two encounter was arguably that most astonishing game in Albion’s history — for all the wrong reasons.
The Brewers were 5-3 in front with only three minutes of normal time remaining but contrived to crash to a 6-5 defeat under an avalanche of late goals.
Peschisolido, however, has drawn a line under a game he described at the time as “my biggest embarrassment as a manager.” He said: “That what was freak game, but it’s gone now.
“As far as I’m concerned, this will be a different game in a different season with a squad of players with a different mentality.” Peschisolido much prefers to look back with satisfaction to Albion’s last visit to Cheltenham’s Whaddon Road ground.
Back in February, the Brewers were 1-0 winners thanks to a stout defensive display after Shaun Harrad’s brilliantlytaken goal had given them the lead in the seventh minute.
Peschisolido said: “That was a very, very good result for us at the time and the sort of performance I’m looking for on a consistent basis this season.
“We’ll be going there to try to win the game, but first and foremost we’ll be looking to do it from a solid foundation.
“If the home game against Cheltenham last season taught me anything, it was to go away in the off season and think about our defensive attitude and mentality.
“We’ve now got people in who have responded to that and I’m delighted that, three games in, we’re still unbeaten and looking to carry on that run.” Albion opened the campaign with goalless draws against Oxford United and Barnet before beating Morecambe 3-2 at the Pirelli Stadium.
Peschisolido was disappointed the Brewers dropped their defensive guard, but saw “positive signs” that his side is developing into an effective force at both ends of the pitch.
He said: “I was very pleased with the clean sheets against Oxford and Barnet, and against Morecame we saw progress in the other direction.
The Robins began the campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw at Gillingham and then beat Crewe Alexandra 3-2 in their first home game.
However, Mark Yates’ side were brought back down to earth last weekend when they crashed 6-4 against Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium.
With new striker Wesley Thomas already on four goals, Peschisolido will probably recall John McGrath to the centre of midfield in partnership with Adam Bolder to offer more protection to the back four.
The Irishman was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up against Morecambe, but had a part to play in helping his side to secure victory.
McGrath was sent on as Albion shuffled their pack after full-back Paul Boertien limped in the first half.
Boertien’s absence with a calf injury means Aaron Webster will switch to his old left-back role, leaving Peschisolido with at least one midfield vacancy to fill - but he may decide on more than one change and could even opt for a change in formation.
Jacques Maghoma has operated on the left before and could be given his first start of the season in a 4-4-2 set-up, with Russell Penn switching to the right in place of Lewis Young.
But, as seen in changes during the Morecambe game, Peschisolido has enough versatility in his squad to adopt a different approach.
He could, for instance, choose to play with a lone striker which would then give him to scope to retain an orthodox winger, such as Young, in his line-up.
ALBION are trying to organise a second official supporters’ coach to Cheltenham tomorrow, leaving the Pirelli Stadium at midday. The fare is £11 and seats can be booked by telephoning 01283 569538.
A coach is also being run by the Beech Hotel in Stretton, departing at 11.30am.
The fare is £10 and seats can be booked by telephoning 01283 561811.
ALBION went out of the Midland Youth Cup in a seven-goal thriller against Chesterfield at the Pirelli Stadium.
The Brewers came from behind three times with goals from Ben Minshull (2) and Greg Hallford, but were finally beaten by an 83rd minute goal.
“We were unlucky,” said Head of Scolars Mike Whitlow.
Albion have had a mixed start in the Youth Alliance, drawing 2-2 away to Scunthorpe United thanks to a Minshull double before crashing 7-0 at home to a bigger, stronger and more experienced Hartlepool United side.
