Nigel Clough on the lack of 'level playing field' in League One as he reflects on Sunderland finances ahead of Burton clash
Nigel Clough says Burton Albion can’t compete with Sunderland off the pitch but insists they are more than a match on it.
Sunderland, fresh from their disappointing 1-1 draw with Coventry City on Saturday, host Burton at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday (KO 7.45pm).
The Black Cats sit 10th and are now three points adrift of the play-off positions ahead of the visit of Burton, managed by Clough, who was born on Wearside.
Ahead of the game, Clough said: “We need to keep playing the way we are, but we just need to be more clinical and have that bit of extra aggression about us.
“We will play the same way tomorrow and try and take the game to them, create chances and play good football.
“Sometimes it works and we finish off our chances, sometimes we play well but don’t take the chances and then the opposition put one in the top corner like at Peterborough. But we will go with the same approach as we have in all the games.
“It’s a big ground and a much bigger crowd than we are used to and if you have anything about you, you want to play in those stadiums and those sort of games.
“In football these days finances dominate everything and there’s no level playing field and the biggest spenders end up at the top.
“Sunderland and Ipswich are among the biggest clubs in the league and it’s difficult for us to compete, but we know we can beat anybody in the league on our day.”