Manner of Burton's relegation hurts, says Nigel Clough
Sunday 6 May 2018 16:55, UK
The manner of Burton Albion's relegation from the Championship - losing 2-1 to 10-man Preston - is what hurt Nigel Clough most but the Brewers boss concedes his side got what they deserved over the course of the season.
The manner of Burton Albion's relegation from the Championship as they lost 2-1 to 10-man Preston is what hurt Nigel Clough most but the Brewers boss concedes his side got what they deserved over the course of the season.
When Hope Akpan cancelled out Callum Robinson's first-half opener after 63 minutes, Burton's great escape looked to be complete.
However, 87th and 88th minute-goals for Bolton sealed their comeback victory over Nottingham Forest and left the Brewers needing a last-gasp winner to survive - only for Preston's Louis Moult to strike a counter-attack hammer blow in injury time and condemn the visitors to League One.
"Everybody in the dressing room is really flat as you would expect, there are a lot of upset players in there," said Clough.
"But we are down and have been relegated because of a reason - over 46 games we haven't been good enough. It's as simple as that.
"We just didn't get enough points ultimately, we had too many draws and we wasted too many opportunities across the course of the season.
"What made it worse for us is that it all happened so late (today). Bolton were always going to be the problem, you always worry when your rivals are playing against a team with nothing to play for."
Burton will now play in League One after two seasons in the Championship and Clough will only take one day off before beginning preparations.
"Of course I'm disappointed and the players are disappointed but we have to move on and preparation for League One will begin immediately," he added.
"It's a Bank Holiday tomorrow but Tuesday we get down to it and we will be looking at players' contracts and looking, for instance, at how they are affected by relegation."
