Safety Secured To Clough's Relief

Championship safety, which has seemed as though it was going to be the case anyway, was confirmed by our win over Charlton at Pride Park and Nigel Clough was relieved to secure this.

"It means we are finally there and it's a huge relief. As it turned out, with the way other results went, a point would have been enough but it's nicer to finish with three points and a clean sheet at home.

"We can now start looking in earnest at next season and the biggest thing is to get the injured players back for that."

Clough told his troops to "have a go at them" at half time and this made a difference. He also believes that the nerve factor played a part in our tentative first half display.

"I don't know what it was in the first half, whether it was nerves or tension but we were very lacklustre and didn't seem to have a lot of energy.

"It was one of those games where everyone was waiting for someone else to do something but we got closer to them in the second half.

"At half-time we said to the players, 'Let's have a go at them'. That's what we have done in the last three and a half months and when we did that we looked a different side."

Clough was talking after the win.

A draw would've been enough to secure our status in the Championship for another season, but much like Clough said it is good to secure this with the three points, and to do this in front of the home fans is even more pleasing.

Now the pressure if of and thoughts really can turn to next season and how we'll be planning for this.

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