ALTHOUGH Burton Albion’s average squad age is as young as 26 this season, there are some experienced heads in there such as Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Jon McLaughlin and John Mousinho.
Mousinho, originally a central midfielder, was converted to a centre back in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s first game in charge away at Wycombe in a 3-1 victory and neither Hasselbaink nor Clough have looked back since.“They (experienced players) are very important, the players that have been there, seen it, done it,” said Nigel Clough.
“You don’t want to think there is huge pressure on any game, just go out and enjoy it.
“Your experienced players on and off the pitch have their value.
“You have got 11 players out there and seven on the bench so six alongside Stephen (Bywater).”
Clough added an experienced back-up goalkeeper to the Brewers ranks in Stephen Bywater as Remi Matthews returned to Norwich City in January after spending the first half of the season on loan with Burton.
“Stephen can have just as much of an impact to those on the bench than Mousinho and McLaughlin can have on those on the pitch.
“The subs have to be ready at any time to go on and subs can win or lose you games, just like those that start.”