Martin Paterson: Burton Albion boss sure results will continue to improve
- Published
Martin Paterson was appointed Burton manager on 11 January succeeding Dino Maamria who was sacked a month earlier
Burton Albion boss Martin Paterson says there is "a lot more" to come from his squad, based on the five matches he has been in charge so far.
After losing his first game against promotion-chasing Derby County, Paterson has steered the Brewers to two wins and a draw in the last four games.
That run has kept them clear of the relegation zone in League One by four points.
"It's about moving forward and believing," Paterson, 36, said.
"Out of the five games I've had, I've probably had one that I've not been happy with; the rest have been good.
"At the moment, they're producing performances that are gradually getting better as we go.
"There's going to be bumps in the road, and it's going to be tough, but I know I've got a group of players that work hard, are humble, and are really listening to the details I'm giving them."
Since their last-minute 3-2 defeat by the Rams, Burton have taken seven points from the next available 12, with wins over Charlton and Bristol Rovers and goalless draw at Cambridge United. The only other loss under Paterson was at home to Lincoln City.
And he says he can only see results improving further.
"I believe there is a lot more to come. I'm not going to pretend; I know the timescale of when it all pieces together, and I keep telling them they're better than they believe," Paterson told BBC Radio Derby.
"Since I came in, my message to the players hasn't changed, so they know I'm being consistent. At the moment, I'm happy with them, but I am pushing them."
Paterson focussing on 'hunting mentality'
Victory at Bristol Rovers last Saturday was the club's first away from home for nearly four months, and they travel to play-off chasing Leyton Orient next, which has won four of their last five at Brisbane Road.
But Paterson was not worried about the club's form before he arrived.
"I only focus on the five games I've been in charge, so no," he said.
"I think insolation, when we go away, our performances have been good.
"Derby [we] should've got a point. Cambridge [we] got a well-earned point, and we won at Bristol Rovers, so I don't look backwards.
"I go back to the hunting mentality; we're looking at teams ahead of us, and we are chasing them down as hard as we can."
As it stands, Burton are level on points with Cambridge and Reading immediately above them and only two points off 14th-placed Wigan.