Spartans forwards in whatever way we can

He told the Sunday Sun: “I think it’s the right decision because a lot of clubs were struggling financially.

“I know the league were looking to bring in testing to deal with the Covid side of the situation – but financially a lot of clubs are struggling.

“If the vote had gone the other way, clubs weren’t suddenly going to find the money needed to play behind closed doors.

“That’s a major concern and clubs above us in the National League will find themselves in that situation now.

“People will say I am only saying that because we want to avoid relegation by a null-and-void season.

“I understand that we have been fortunate, but we have to learn from the last two years and we have to move on.

“We can’t look back, we can’t worry about what has gone on, you have to come up with the answers to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Maybe that is getting more investment from companies or individuals that want to get involved.

“It’s tough to do that at the moment and it will be tough to try and improve if we can’t bring that in – but we have to try and move the club forwards in whatever way we can.”

Nelson is already making plans for next season as he looks to rejuvenate the fortunes at Croft Park.

The Spartans boss revealed that he is working alongside assistant manager Michael Barron to “get ahead of the game” with a view to strengthening their squad for when the new campaign gets under way.

He said: “We are already looking at next season, we are already planning and starting to think about players we will retain and release.

“We are looking at other clubs, who can we bring in and who do we know can come in and do a job for us in a very tough and very challenging division.

“The focus is on next season now for everyone at the club and on and off the pitch we have to try to be ahead of the game to get us into a stronger position.”

LEE Johnson saw his Sunderland side cruise to victory against basement side Burton Albion – but he admits he was worried about this game in the build-up.

The Black Cats led 2-0 at the Pirelli Stadium at half-time thanks to goals from Grant Leadbitter and Lynden Gooch.

Burton were then reduced to 10 men when Josh Earl was sent off in the second period before Charlie Wyke added a third goal for the Wearsiders, who moved back into the top six as a result.

But injuries had forced former Oldham, Barnsley and Bristol City boss

Johnson to change the formation to a 3-4-3 against the Brewers, and with new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink inspiring his side to back-to-back wins going into this game, there was a danger Sunderland could be caught out.

“I was worried about this one, to be honest,” said Johnson (pictured left). “They’re in good form, we had to change the shape.

“On the ball, it’s a great shape and I thought we caused them problems throughout the first half with our footballing ability and interplay we had between the front players.

“Lynden is a pocket dynamo and with Aiden O’brien making those sort of out to in runs, Goochy was the perfect player for the role.

“Both him and Luke O’nien have been absolutely fantastic because we’ve had to use them in three or four positions.

“I’m very happy with those two but

I’m very happy with everyone, it was a very professional performance.

“In the second half we had to weather a storm because they’re a good side. Jonny Smith I know well and he’s top class at cutting in from the right, and

Burgey [goalkeeper Lee Burge] was there when we needed.”

Sunderland were already two goals up when Earl was shown a second yellow card for bundling O’brien over the advertising hoardings, but Johnson still felt that was an important moment in the game.

He said: “We had to gain control. We gained that with our energy and obviously the sending off proved to be pivotal.

“It was pretty much game over when we got the third which meant we could save 10 or 12 minutes in some of the players which is important.

“The boys came on, nothing changed, they knew their role, and we were comfortable.

“They rolled their sleeves up in a really difficult game, on a difficult pitch, against a side that are fighting for their lives. It was really good work today as a whole.

“Everybody can go home and enjoy their day off tomorrow, but come Monday we’ll be back to it because we’ve got a big game on Tuesday [against Fleetwood].”

After the game, Johnson revealed that influential centre-back Bailey

Wright (pictured right) will be absent for between two and three weeks with the calf injury that forced him off during the EFL Trophy semi-final against Lincoln – and it may make him a doubt for the final at Wembley next month.

Callum Mcfadzean was absent after sustaining a head injury against Lincoln.

“Callum was out because of the concussion protocols, so that was a bit frustrating that one,” said Johnson.

“You’ve got to do the right thing by the player, and the doctors have a lot of power now, and rightly so.

“In terms of Bailey Wright, he’s going to be out for two or three weeks with a small tear to a part of his calf.”