NIGEL Clough says that the good results against the best teams in the league show how close the Brewers are to being promotion contenders.
With a 2-1 victory in the last home game of the season against League One leaders Luton, Albion are finishing the season in a confident mood.
“We aren’t far off,” says Clough. “Our performances have been good most of the season and we just haven’t always had the results we have deserved.”
With one game to go away at Peterborough on Saturday the manager’s thoughts will then turn to next season.
“We have four or five players out of contract,” he said. “But the vast majority of the squad are already tied down for next season, including Lucas Akins and Stephen Quinn and most importantly the youngsters.
“We are in a pretty good position, but we need to talk to John Brayford, Stephen Bywater and Jake Buxton who are hugely important members of our squad who we would like to stay next season.
“I hope the supporters have optimism as well from some of the performances they have seen.
“It will be difficult again next season with some big clubs coming down in Ipswich and Bolton and one or two big ones coming up.
“What we have to do is pick up straight away and start next season the way we are finishing now.”