The backing of the fans can be a massive boost as Burton Albion take on Bolton Wanderers at the Pirelli Stadium this weekend, says defender John Brayford.
The Brewers go into tomorrow’s game two points shy and two positions behind Bolton, having won both of our last two Sky Bet Championship games.
Our last game at the Pirelli was a fine 3-1 victory over Derby County, our first win at home since September, and that was followed up by last weekend’s dramatic 2-1 win at Sunderland.
The Brewers fans turned the Pirelli into a fortress against Derby and Brayford says every percentage will be key for Burton Albion in our battle for Championship safety.
"To not win (at home) for so long, you’d expect to be cut adrift,” said Brayford.
"It’s been our away form that’s kept us in contention at the moment.
"The crowd have been brilliant at Sunderland and against Derby.
"To have the crowd on side is a massive boost and we need every percentage we can get.
"To be playing back at home after Derby I think all the fans will be behind us.
"It’s us against them (Bolton) and every percentage we can get, whether that’s work rate, ability or togetherness, that all adds up."
Brayford says Albion are targeting six points from the remaining two fixtures this season, and knows doing so will be a scrap in both fixtures, firstly at home to Bolton and then away at Preston a week on Sunday.
"We’ve got a gameplan and we’ll try to execute it to the best of our ability on Saturday," added the 30-year-old.
"We don’t want to waste the last two games or build the next one up too much, but look what we’ve done to get ourselves into this situation.
"It’s up to us really. If we get six points we give ourselves every chance.
"I’ve probably been scrapping for 10 years over my whole career. It’s just about concentrating on ourselves.
"There’s three points up for grabs on Saturday and three the following Sunday, so we’ve just got to try to claim all six."
Manager Nigel Clough praised the “magnificent” fans who cheered The Brewers on at the Stadium of Light last weekend and the Brewers will need that backing again on Saturday against Bolton Wanderers.
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