NIGEL Clough says that his team is frustratingly close to being capable of challenging for promotion.
The Brewers have dominated most games this season, but defensive lapses have often robbed Albion of the points the overall play has deserved.
The manager said: “We are incredibly close to having a team that can challenge. What has stopped us are the five defeats at home this season. We have conceded 11 goals despite having the vast majority of the game and chances in those matches.
"Southend, Charlton and Gillingham on Saturday should have been nine points in the bag never mind Peterborough and Rochdale. That’s why we are mid-table not challenging for the top six.
“It’s about getting the defenders who can play the way we want to play. That means that when you are having the majority of the game it’s not back to the walls stuff and throwing your body in front of the ball, it’s about organisation and communication that we hoped we have from our experienced defenders this season.
“We have nowhere near enough clean sheets this season. The stats speak for themselves in that department and that’s an area we need to improve but we are very close to having a team to challenge.”