After impressing last season in the Sky Bet Championship and defying all odds by surviving their first season in the second-tier, Burton Albion now perhaps face an even greater task in maintaining their Championship status during the 2017/18 campaign.  

Last year Jackson Irvine was the catalyst to Burton’s success, with the Australian midfielder scoring 10 goals and proving to be influential for Nigel Clough’s side in their battle against relegation.

However, Burton’s task this season is set to be more difficult, after Irvine completed a move to Hull City late in the summer transfer window, leaving a huge hole to fill in Clough’s side.

Here at FLW, we believe that Burton will have to move quickly to fill the void left by Irvine or run the risk of dropping out of the Championship in 2018.

There are just hours of the summer transfer window remaining, and Clough and Burton face a busy few hours looking to replace not just Irvine’s goals, but the presence and effectiveness he brought the Brewers.

Whilst Burton have made a steady start to the Championship season, with goals spread out across the team, Clough will be searching for one player to put his hand up and do the job Irvine did so well last year.

Burton’s story last season was fantastic to watch, with Clough’s side surprising everybody in the Championship, but there is no doubt that this season’s challenge will be more difficult.

Losing Irvine was a huge blow, but what Burton do in the coming hours will be vital – replace the Australian and Clough’s side could see themselves defy the odds again and survive, but fail to replace him and the likelihood is we will see the Brewers back in League One in a year. 

Burton fans… How important is it that your club replace Irvine? Let us know your thoughts!