Nigel Clough admits he has kept back information on Manchester City to avoid frightening the life out of his Burton squad.
Manager Clough admits the club’s chances of progressing are extremely slim and has told players and fans to enjoy the occasion of a Carabao Cup semi-final.
League One Burton have an annual wage bill 87 times smaller than Pep Guardiola’s squad and Clough, whose side have beaten Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough to reach this point, accepts City represent a daunting task.
Clough said: ‘I watched them play Liverpool and their work-rate and ability all over the pitch was there for everybody to see. They also have strength in depth, not just on the bench but below that.
'They have the best youngsters in the country, so whichever team they play has quality. Every game you have a chance but it’s just about what degree that chance is. Ours is extremely slim.
‘We won’t go into detail about their players as that will frighten the life out of our lads. They know how good Man City are because they watch Match of the Day every week.’
Clough added: ‘Nobody gives us much of a chance and quite rightly so. But it’s great for our supporters. Some have followed the club for 40, 50, 60 years or more and never dreamed of being in a League Cup semi-final, so let’s enjoy it.
‘We will approach it the same way we have when we have faced Championship clubs and Premier League Burnley in the competition this season. We also can’t do too much work on them as we have no idea what team they will play — and that helps in some ways.
‘We will just focus on ourselves, do our jobs and hope City have a terrible night. For something to happen in our favour, they will have to have an off night.’
Clough was a boy when his dad Brian won the League Cup with Nottingham Forest as a manager in 1978 to begin a glorious period for the club and he is pleased to have added to his family’s history.
‘It was one of the first things that Forest won in the late 1970s, beating Leeds in the semi-final over two legs, then Liverpool in the final after a replay,’ he said. ‘It kick-started Forest’s belief and it all went from there.’
Clough was Burton manager in 2006 when his team, then in the Conference, held Manchester United 0-0 at home in the FA Cup. But he believes the task against City is a harder proposition.
‘The gulf between the top teams and the third tier is massive now,’ Clough said. ‘When Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo came on after 59 minutes for United, it’s a similar sort of prospect with the likes of the quality City have.’
blackhappy
0
Enjoy the moment? As difficult as it may be, try winning, that'll be the best way for the players to enjoy the moment.
Cynthiares
0
Typical of this guy, uses a good cup run to disguise his inefficiencies in the league.
aosasuna
0
Gonna be hard to enjoy, when he demands they keep a tight back nine.
Jackeven
0
Exactly Nige. Hope they do well and gain experience from it.
Gabrieler
0
he's nurturing a boozer face to rival that of his Dad.
binaries
0
Welcome to Manchester....Burton Albion,hope you all have a great evening
xiamain
0
That visit of Forest to Wembley in '78 had Shilts cup-tied and no-one gave them a chance. Won the replay 1.0. Go for it, Nigel.
twilight
0
Never forget when somebody vaulted the wall at the front of the Maine Rd Main stand and grabbed the ball to try and prevent Clough from taking a free kick, and then the pair of them ended up rolling round on the floor trying to wrestle the ball off each other. Happy days!
Ellenmed
0
burton are so inconsistent , i wonder if thats down to cloughs dour attitude ; I've no doubt that when he puts himself out clough has the nous to coach and motivate a team to perform well but unless he changes his overall attitude/outlook and becomes more consistent he will never manage a top team .
Tshoda
1
what ever u say just remember we have Fernandinho..
Justdex
0
Enjoy the moment? As difficult as it may be, try winning, that'll be the best way for the players to enjoy the moment.
yeah... just enjoy the game..
alanzo007
5
Minds Games. But we have a Boss to counteract that, Mark these words.
allisonon
1
Enjoy the moment? As difficult as it may be, try winning, that'll be the best way for the players to enjoy the moment.
Jackys
1
Gonna be hard to enjoy, when he demands they keep a tight back nine.
Thonas
0
Exactly Nige. Hope they do well and gain experience from it.
hasanbohra
1
Could frighten what is that definitely city will frighten Burton !
City12345
1
Its Goals City vs some 3rd class team. The final is Tottenham vs Manchester City.
Already giving up on your chelsea?😂
Africa8864146
2
ummmm, City needs to guard against complacency. If city a looks down upon Burtonwood, they end up packing their bags, going Liverpool's way of defeat. Burton are one of the giant killer teams. They wouldn't be in the semi finals if they were ineffective
yiwdkrtz
1
while it's unlikely but stranger things have happened in football be of good courage man the ball is round it can roll in any direction
Shadownet
3
For sure we would frighten them 😂😂😂
VanishPrasad
1
Its Goals City vs some 3rd class team. The final is Tottenham vs Manchester City.