Burton boss Rowett bemoans lack of preparation ahead of defeat at Cobblers

Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett feels his squad’s inability to train on the day before their defeat to the Cobblers was a factor in the outcome of the game.

Rowett sent his team out in a defence-minded 4-5-1 system that held out for 70 minutes before Adebayo Akinfenwa’s looping header over goalkeeper Dean Lyness.

The defeat is a sixth away from home for Burton and a third on the bounce on their travels but they remain in the npower League Two play-off places, primarily because of their excellent home form.

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Such a disparity between home and away results is a trait Burton share with Northampton, and because of their poor returns on the road Rowett sent his players out with a game plan that saw them slow the game down as much as possible, ultimately in vain.

“I’m not disappointed with the performance, just that fact that we didn’t get a result,” said Rowett, who becomes the first Burton Albion manager to lose a game at Sixfields.

“We got into some decent areas in the second half but the ball just wouldn’t fall for us in the box.

“Like Northampton, we’re struggling away from home.

“I know that’s three defeats in a row but we’re not playing that badly.

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“We’re just a bit unfortunate, whereas at home we’re probably getting that bit of luck which you need.

“We’re winning our home games and that’s what is keeping us in there.

“I’m aware that we need to improve on our away form but we couldn’t train on Friday and that wasn’t the ideal preparation for the game.”