Rowett optimistic on Brewers season

Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett hopes his side can do better in League Two next season following two close relegation battles.

The Staffordshire club are second-favourites for the drop into non-league football ahead of the 2012-13 campaign but Rowett sees no reason why they can't move further up the table and build on this year's 17th place finish. "The division is probably going to be tougher than ever next season because of the clubs coming in, but I genuinely believe we'll be as competitive as anyone," he told Burton Mail. "Nothing will come easy, but we think we know what is needed to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons. "Recruitment is essential in that respect because it will be all about bringing in the type of player who will fit into the system we want to play with a passion and energy. "That's the way forward for a club like ours to compete with the big spenders and I'm sure we can achieve our target." Rowett became Paul Peschisolido's permanent replacement at Pirelli Stadium last month after winning three of his 10 matches as caretaker manager since the Canadian's dismissal in March.