The 2016/17 Championship season is set to be one to remember for Burton Albion as it is their first campaign in the second tier of English football, after they won promotion from League One last season by finishing in second place.

Manager Nigel Clough has seen nine players depart the club including Robbie Weir, Anthony O'Connor, and Timmy Thiele but he has moved quick to bring in three additions to bolster the squad in the form of Ben Turner, Kyle McFadzean, and Jackson Irvine.

The question now remains over which positions Clough will look to strengthen next with signings still needed as the club prepares for its historic maiden season in the Championship, with their opening fixture against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground now just a matter of weeks away.

Football League World writer Steve Day looks at the THREE Burton Albion players that could well surprise a lot of fans and pundits this coming season......

 

Ben Turner

New centre back signing Turner was a surprise departure from Cardiff City this season as many Bluebirds fans felt he could well at least be used as decent back-up in defence, and possibly even compete for a regular first team spot.

Turner has long seen his career plagued by injury but he has still made 197 league appearances for a number of clubs in the Football League such as Coventry, Cardiff City, Peterborough, and Oldham.

At 28 years of age he is still very much in the prime of his career.

The former Cardiff man has scored a goal in a Capital One Cup Final in 2012 and won promotion from the Championship with the Bluebirds back in 2013, as one of their stand-out players.

He is an experienced defender who is a real leader and if Clough can keep Turner fit then he has a superb centre back within his ranks for the coming season.

Lucas Akins

Attacking midfielder Akins had a rather low key career before he joined the Brewers back in 2014.

He started his career with Huddersfield where he made just 5 league appearances before having a loan spell at Yeovil.

Moves to Tranmere and Stevenage sandwiched a loan period at Scottish side Hamilton Academical before he made the move to the Pirelli Stadium.

Akins has not looked back since that move. He thrived under the management of ex-boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and has continued to impress under the guidance of Clough.

He has scored 21 goals in 76 appearances for the Brewers and is looking well-prepared for life in the Championship.

The 27-year-old has the potential to play up front which will add versatility and depth to the Burton Albion side this season.

He is also a relatively unknown quantity to Championship clubs and fans so he will be a pleasant surprise to many who have not witnessed his riveting attacking play first hand.

John Mousinho

One aspect of their gameplay that saw Burton Albion receive a lot of credit for was their togetherness and work rate as a team unit.

The manager no doubt plays a huge part in instilling that mentality within his squad, but he needs an influential and experienced captain on the pitch to help communicate that message.

Mousinho has been around the Football League for a while and will no doubt be familiar with fans up and down the country.

He started his professional football life with Brentford before making moves to Wycombe, Stevenage, and Preston.

He eventually signed for Burton Albion in 2014. He has not looked back and is now the captain of the Brewers as they prepare for this coming season.

If you are looking for a prime example of a real leader who does all the dirty work in the middle of the park and drags his team through the tough times then Mousinho is that man.

His workmanlike attitude and non-stop combative nature will win the respect of opposition fans throughout the league. He will be a key figure for the Brewers this season if they are to stay up in the Championship.

What are your thoughts on these three players? Let us know your comments below!