Boss: I won’t be afraid to change things
MANAGER’S FRUSTRATION AS TRAINING PLUSES DON’T MAKE IT INTO THE MATCHES
BURTON Albion’s players continue to do the business in training without regularly reproducing the same standards in matches – and Martin Paterson says that is an ongoing frustration as he wrestles with his first job as manager.
There was a telling moment in the defeat to Port Vale, when Steve Seddon, Joe Hugill and Mark Helm combined in an incisive move down the left which led to Helm curling a shot just wide.
It was a clear indication of what the Brewers are capable of – but they did not come close to repeating it in the rest of the match.
Reminded of the incident, Paterson said: “It identified my life! I keep saying that the team are better than they are showing.
“I need to find out why they can’t translate the things I’m seeing week in, week out on the training field to the match.
“They show in moments that they are capable. It’s frustrating because you see those glimpses and we need to maximise them so much better. That has been the focus this week.
“I’ve got to keep pushing them to find those moments and I still believe it is coming.”
In trying to seek solutions, Burton staged a full-scale practice match in training this week in which the first team took on the academy side.
“We played the youth team and everyone got a game,” said Paterson.
“It was very basic in terms of what I was looking for and I got the outcomes I required in terms of corrections from the last game but also other things that we need to improve.
“They needed to play football, they need to practice the things I’m asking of them and I needed to figure out why the translation from the training field to the Pirelli is not working.
“I’ve fronted up at every moment, not hidden from anything but at some point the players have to translate what I’m telling them on the training pitch and the things they are showing me to the field on a Saturday.”
The solution may also involve trying different formations or tactics, the manager conceded. He has been criticised by supporters for sticking to a “five at the back” set-up when things have not been going well but says he is open to change.
“Rather than just keep going down one avenue, if I think that’s blocked
At some point the players have to translate what I’m telling them on the training pitch to the field on a Saturday Martin Paterson
Ademola Ola-adebomi is ready to return to the squad after missing out with an injury last week.
off, we need to rethink, recycle and try something else. I’m not afraid to do that and I think it’s a must,” he said.
“The scope is limited (in terms of the number of players available) but the ideas are not. There has to be some change, because you can’t just keep trying to do the same things. “But then, everybody is keen to change a lot of things but sometimes it’s just about being better at what you’re trying to do, reinforcing that this is what we do and we have to be better at it. We have got to find a way, there’s no other way out. We have to be positive.”
■ Paterson says Ademola Ola-adebomi (injured) and Antwoine Hackford (ill) will both be ready to return for today’s game against Wigan Athletic, while Sam Hughes came through unscathed in his first appearance after injury and goalkeeper Max Crocombe returns from international duty with New Zealand.