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| John Brindley in the Non-League Paper, Sunday 12th August 2001 |
| 'Clough's burning ambition won't go for a Burton' |
| Nigel Clough neatly sidesteps
talk of third time lucky for Conference-chasing Burton Albion, but concedes:
"We expect to be up there in the top two or three of the UniBond
League." Clough's first two seasons in his legendary father Brian's managerial footsteps have produced satisfaction and frustration in almost equal measure. "We have been successful in many ways, finishing runners-up in the Dr. Martens League twice and going on good cup runs," he said, "But we didn't achieve what we really wanted - Conference football. |
| "Having
said that, I don't think Chris Kinnear and Margate have been given enough
credit for winning the title last time. They were a tremendous team, very
solid defensively and if you get as many points as they did, you deserve
to be successful." Many supporters expected instant success when a famous name arrived at an already ambitious Staffordshire club, but Clough senior wasn't among them. "He has congratulated me on what we've done so far," said Nigel, "He realises just how hard it is to win titles." |
|
| Clough, who steered Nottingham
Forest to European Cup glory, only won the league twice - once each with
Forest and Derby - in his illustrious managerial career. Now shunning the City Ground, Clough senior will almost certainly be taking his seat with other Albion fans as Nigel leads his team into northern waters this term. "My dad comes to most games," said Nigel, "But often I'm not really aware of him on match days. Occasionally we'll sit down and have a chat about how things are going. He's there when I need him." The younger Clough shoulders the pressure of following his father into management with the same composure and assurance he showed as a Forest player. "I don't really think about it too much," he added - ironically after his Burton side had been run off the park by Forest's talented youth team, "But people like you keep asking me about it." Nor does he feel the pressure from Burton supporters to achieve Conference football is any different from any other club. "There'll be a lot of UniBond clubs expected to do big things and we're no different," he said. One thing that managing will never replace, Clough admits, is actually playing. Although he is still a part of Burton's squad, a trmendous career that took in Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as 14 England caps is almost at an end. "One of the attractions of coming here was that I could continue playing," he said, "There is nothing to match actually playing the game." You suspect that Clough junior was relieved when Forest announced the resignation of David Platt and the promotion of Paul Hart. It saved him from endless speculation. "I only think weeks ahead," he said, "There's no telling where my managerial career will lead. But I'm enjoying myself here and looking forward to the new season. "I do, however, wish Paul well and hope he's the man to lead Forest back into the Premiership. After nine years as a supporter and the same time spent at the City Ground as a player, I still have a lot of affection for the club." Burton's pre-season has raised a lot of eyebrows. First, there was the highly publicised switch from Dr. Martens to UniBond soccer. Then there have been more goings than comings among the players. "I think the switch could be good for us after missing out so narrowly," he said, "But I don't necessarily go along with the view that the UniBond is more physical or easier to win. "When you look at Emley, who got 101 points last season, we don't feel so hard done by. They will be up there, Gainsborough have also signed some good players and Bishop Auckland are strong. But it could be any one of six clubs for promotion." Albion have lost David Rennie and Nick Goodwin to retirement and Michael Forsyth and Phil Starbuck to youth posts at Wycombe and Leicester. Former Hereford centre-half James Wall is the only arrival. "The fans may have expected more signings," said Clough, "But I'm happy with the 13 or 14 first team players I've got. I won't bring people in for the sake of it. They must be up to our standard." Burton, who begin their leagu campaign on Saturday at another famous club, Bradford Park Avenue, were knocked out of the Bass Vase by Forest, but gave a full-strength Sheffield United side a fright. "Although we never want to get hammered, pre-season results don't worry me," said Clough. "We're where we want to be and looking forward to kicking off the season for real." |
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