Nigel Clough reveals his controversial view on Sunderland’s ‘difficult’ home atmosphere

The Brewers came from a goal down to claim the three points on Wearside, with Clough insisting the victory was a ‘big’ one for his side after some disappointing results of late.

"They haven't lost too many at home in the last 18 months so it's a big victory,” said Clough.

"It's been coming for us because we drew at Doncaster and should have won, and should have got something at Peterborough.

"It's been coming, and unfortunately for Sunderland it was tonight."

And while the triumph was a significant one for Burton, the result plunged Sunderland fans into further realms of despair - with chants of ‘sacked in the morning’ aimed at Phil Parkinson after a seventh defeat in his 11 games in charges.

And Clough believes such an atmosphere can prove a ‘difficult’ arena for players, despite Parkinson insisting differently earlier this week.

"It can go both ways,” he admitted.

“When you get this many people in...we get 2500, 3000 people so you're talking ten times the crowd that we get.

"That can be a blessing, certainly when things are going well. But when things are not going well you have to be brave and courageous to play in that sort of atmosphere.

"It can be difficult."

Burton fell behind to a first half penalty from Aiden McGeady after a foul on Luke O’Nien, with some in attendance believing the decision was a soft one.

Clough, though, believes it was the correct call - and was delighted with how his side bounced back.

"Our lads didn't object,” he said of the spot kick.

"There were a lot of bodies in-between so I couldn't see, but there was no major objections.

"When that happens, you usually think it's a fair decision."

I think there's two very important things - getting the equaliser straight away after the penalty, getting level and back in the game,” he continued.

"And then when they came out in the second half, dealing with that 10 or 15 minutes and playing from there.”