NIGEL Clough says that scoring the first goal will be vitally important as the Brewers take on league leaders Wycombe on Saturday, (kick off 3pm).
Albion travel to Adams Park knowing that Wycombe haven’t lost a league game there this season having picked up eight wins and two draws.
But the Brewers have the third best away record in League One with with only Ipswich and Rotherham having picked up more points on their travels and recently ended Sunderland’s unbeaten home record.
That’s why Clough says that the first goal is so important and that conceding it will make the size of the task even greater for his team
He said: “Generally away from home we have got that first goal and even if you do go behind it’s sometimes easier than being at home, as their fans are still urging them forward. You can defend a 1-0 lead a little bit easier away from home.
“Going behind to an early goal, we see how difficult it is against Southend and Lincoln who are towards the bottom of the league, so we can’t afford to do it against Wycombe – especially as they win so many games 1-0.
“And in Akinfenwa they have a player who is very difficult to handle. He is a threat and always seems to score against us. “
Clough believes Wycombe will stay the promotion course and praises manager Gareth Ainsworth.
He said: “You see the results of the continuity and a manager being there a few years and building year-on-year and improving and now they are on the verge of The Championship and a small club like us knows how that feels. There is still a long way to go but they are there, and it will mean an awful lot for Gareth Ainsworth to get them into the Championship.”