Nigel Clough has admitted that Burton Albion have endured an "extremely tough" start to their second season in the Championship.
The Brewers survived against all odds in their first second-tier campaign following promotion, finishing a point and two places clear of the bottom three.
However, Burton currently sit second from bottom in the table and are without a win since mid-September, and Clough claims that bad luck has also played a part in their struggles.
"It's been extremely tough. I don't think we've ever experienced a three-month period where so many things have gone against us," Clough told Sky Sports News.
"Losing Liam Boyce a week before the season with a cruciate ligament injury which rules him out for most of the season, to a couple of decisions and every little mistake we're making seems to be getting punished at the moment."
Up next for Burton is a Championship trip to Millwall on Saturday.
