Mansfield really need some sort of victory tonight, but it is not going to be easy as Burton are unbeaten at home this season and have the longest unbeaten home run in the Blue Square Premier.
They can go third with a win tonight, Nigel Clough’s side, as he approaches 10 years in charge of the team. He has done a fantastic job, they are strong at home and are also the league’s leading goalscorers. Greg Pearson, who was brought in to replace Daryl Clare, has netted nine goals so far this season.
Nigel Clough is a calm manager, but I have noticed a bit of a difference this season in him. Maybe because they went so close last season, in those play-off games the luck went against them and they really should have been at Wembley and I think this season I have detected a bit more determination and realism.
Burton can match any team in the league, it is wide open and there is no outstanding team that is going to break away. There is no reason why Burton can’t get promoted and that would be a remarkable story.
I think Nigel Clough has realised Burton are a better side than a mid-table side and that has brought a bit more pressure. But he is a terrific guy and from where he has taken Burton Albion ten years ago to where they are now, it is a fantastic achievement and it would be a fairytale that in his tenth year he took them into The Football League.
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