Burton boss Nigel Clough delighted to return to winning ways at home

Posted Sunday, December 22, 2019 by PA

Burton boss Nigel Clough was happy to see his side get back to winning ways as his side came back from conceding inside two minutes to beat Rochdale 3-1 at the Pirelli Stadium.

Callum Camps had taken advantage of some benevolent defending to smash home for Rochdale in the second minute but Albion were not to be denied a first home League win since October 22 courtesy of Ryan Edwards, Lucas Akins’ penalty and Liam Boyce.

“It would be nice not to concede after two minutes again at home for the second consecutive home game,” Clough said.

“That sets you back but I thought the way we responded to that, stayed composed, playing our football, I thought the first half was as well as we have played for some time.

“To get back in the game so quickly was vital but I thought we were so much on top at that time in the first half that I don’t think 2-1 did us justice at half time.”

Rochdale came back into it after the break with Matty Done and Jimmy Keohane hitting the woodwork, but Clough was happy to see Boyce’s late effort finally seal the win.

“With a team like Rochdale you are not going to have the whole of the game.” Clough added.

“They are going to come back into it. The fact that it was only 2-1 at half time gave them that encouragement that they could get something from it.

“That is why we were so pleased when the third goal went in. They have some good players, Camps, Wilbraham, Done.

“They are a dangerous team and we said before we could win 5-0 or lose 5-0 to them and you could see that sort of game today with how many shots both teams had today.”

Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy was left to rue his side’s first-half showing despite taking the early lead with their improved second half showing ultimately counting for nothing.

“I thought we were brilliant in the second half and played well for huge periods of it,” he said.

“We played with real speed and courage but I was very disappointed with how we played in the first half.

“We started the game really brightly with the goal but we didn’t play with the speed, intensity or
aggressive nature that I associate with us and we let Burton take the game to us and almost took a step back.

“While the second half was good, I don’t think it’s good enough for us to accept that first half and we always want more from our players.

“It shouldn’t take us going behind to show that sort of second half performance. Our guys have been amazing all season but we were too passive in that first half and the second half was more what I expect to see of a Rochdale team.”