Burton Albion manager Martin Paterson slammed for criticising his own club’s fans after going winless in 10 after defeat to Oxford United.
The U’s put in quite the performance with Mark Harris playing a crucial role in their 4-0 victory over the Brewers on Saturday afternoon to put them back into the League One playoff places.
In the first half, Harris took advantage of a cleared long throw and a misjudged header by Tolaji Bola to score the opener.
He continued to trouble Burton’s defence and scored a second goal early in the second half before Josh Murphy added another goal, driving from his own half and scoring on the counter-attack.
Burton’s defence faltered, with James Henry capitalising on the opportunity and made it four from inside the box, putting the hosts into the bottom four on goal difference, after Port Vale picking up a point at Wigan.
🚨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 🚨
“I’m a man that will never ever shy away.”
Burton Albion manager Martin Paterson issued his stance regarding his future when asked if he has considered letting someone else take charge of the remaining four games.#BAFC pic.twitter.com/ktL2fYANTK
— BBC Sport Derby (@BBCDerbySport) April 6, 2024
Burton boss Martin Paterson said post-match to BBC Derby Sport: “It lands on me as I’m the manager. I accept full responsibility for that performance and the performance was unprofessional in my opinion. We allowed a team that I had identified as being really dangerous on transitions with their speed in the outside areas to attack us. I know we prepare the group properly and we were aware of all their threats. The organisation is there but ultimately inside a game when pressure comes there seems to be a massive issue at home.
“I don’t think the players look like they enjoy playing here if I’m honest. They look in most moments scared and it shows. On the opposite side when we are 4-0 down we start to move the ball well because the pressure is off if we are being brutally honest.
“I have to keep my dignity and front it up as I’m the manager but I’m bitterly disappointed to have a performance like that.”
Paterson adds that he knows that the Brewers now face a tough last four games as they try to secure League One football next season.
He went on: “I will never back down from a challenge – that’s my nature. I know regardless of what happens that I come in every day and work my socks off. I know that I give the players everything they need to be successful. The team should be safe already but we are not. I’m a man that won’t shy away from that. I clap the crowd, win, lose or draw. I never put anyone else under the boss and I take responsibility which you have to as a manager. But there are certain things you can legislate for and some you can’t. I don’t instruct, coach or manage players to do certain things in certain moments.
“Today the atmosphere was not good and it hasn’t been good for a while but I know that I give my all. I work hard and continue to do so.”
Paterson said: “At the moment we prefer playing away. There are issues at home, that’s obvious. I know I’m giving everything, and we know there are periods at home when we have territory and good control and we just get transitioned on and they score and now we have a mountain to climb.
“It now comes down to mentality and who can play under pressure. We are in a struggling moment and we need to find something to ignite the group, start the flame. It’s a question of the group and getting them to have the right mentality.”
Oxford highlights have got me questioning Burton’s professional status.
There’s a theme here… pic.twitter.com/a9J7xlIkZ3
— Edward Walker (@edward_w97) April 7, 2024
Oxford’s Des Buckingham said: “We spoke about a squad arriving at this point in a strong position, with players coming back.
“It was a very enjoyable afternoon, with four goals again. We showed that cutting edge and clinical side that was missing for a little bit.
“We knew that would come, but now it’s about making sure we continue through. We’ve got a good and exciting week coming up with three home games, and we all need to be together – fans, staff and players.”
BURTON: Crocombe; Hughes, Brayford, Sweeney; Hamer, Powell, Gilligan (Kamwa, 53), Helm (Harper, 74), Bola (Carayol, 53); Hugill, Ola-Adebomi (Scott, 53).
Substitutes: Blackman, Oshilaja, Moon.
GOALS: OXFORD – Harris (24, 57), Murphy (62), Henry (69)
Referee: Will Finnie
Attendance: 3,700
🌟 Here is the @WhoScored Team of the Week!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/qLSBi7ivry
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) April 8, 2024
🔊 The Gaffer on a brilliant win at the Pirelli Stadium
See the full interview on iFollow 📺 pic.twitter.com/xdEc5RkBQ3
— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) April 6, 2024
As mentioned, the Burton Albion manager was slammed online for criticising his own club’s fans after going winless in 10…
@sharpaay_: Slagging off the fans who pay hard earned money to watch the games is so poor. 7 home losses on the bounce, doomed to relegation, what’s there to cheer about? Coming out and saying that combined with the drivel you turf out on the pitch should be enough for Ben to get rid
@DebbieW43296905: I hadn’t listened to this until today. The second manager this season to slag off the fans. Every week we’re told the training has been good blah blah. What exactly are they doing in training when they are churning out the garbage we’ve witnessed at the recent home games?
@SamGoldy1994: We spend a lot of money going up and down the country watching your dross football. I backed you in public and thanked you at the fans forum and this is his to repay us? Nah you’ve lost me mate jog on. 🖕 #BAFC
@Dad5Askew: Did I just hear him slate his own fans? 😂
@The_Only_LeeH: Sounds like he wants to be sacked.
@stintmxram: Seems to chop and change players and formation far too frequently. Football is a very simple game that we all know understand. Score one goal more than the opposition and you win.
@2021Wazza: So basically, the players are letting him down. Just say it.
@didster400: @B3NROBINSON, get your old man to sort this clown out will you. He hasn’t a clue, and now it’s our fault that the atmosphere is shite. The football is the worse I’ve seen at the Pirelli, how’s that gunna get an atmosphere going. Absolute tool
@edward_w97: Word of advice to all managers. If you’re winless in ten, in the relegation zone, and have lost seven home games in a row, don’t start criticising your club’s home fans…
@_jamesgolding: Spineless cunt. How on earth the bloke who’s led us to 7 straight home defeats is moaning about the atmosphere after the shower of shite he’s instructing week in week out. Sack the bloke Ben #bafc
@Rob_BAFC: Completely missing the point. A pilot who would rather crash his plane into a mountain than admit he can’t fly. Although missing points is what we excel at.
@eptd_: i understand you don’t shy away from a challenge and that is admirable but irrelevant. no one’s worried you’re going to run away, they’re actually quite adamant that you leave
@bencrutchleyy: Doesn’t like to talk about himself much does he… and blaming the fans for a poor atmosphere 🤣 how do you expect us to get behind your spineless tactics. Do one #bafc
@tyler_bafc: Not being funny but who is he to dig at the fans and atmosphere when the football being played is nothing to get behind only atmosphere today was to get your face out the club not always about you Martin.
@dylzyy1: Were the fans bad at Orient away? Charlton at home? Bristol away? You get what you put in especially when you’re down the bottom. On ya bike Pato
@TomElliottBAFC: We go off what’s served on the pitch you fuckin clown. Never thought it would ever get worse than under Dino. Clueless fuck.
@LYelland_90: “I don’t make decisions at the football club” Only decision you’ve made is to play 5 at the back and make us a laughing stock tbf Martin, walk away #BAFC
@ftfcknappers: Dino had a bit of a dig at the crowd 6 months or so ago, and got battered and shortly after was sacked! you can’t lose 7 home games on the bounce and blame the crowd! Same interview every week, work hard in training, good group of players, knows the area and club etc.. 🤦♂️
@SteveJackvlogs: Cheers MP, Fans appreciate that! Pay good money week in week out for that and you have a go? Nah mate! #BAFC
@DanielOrme90: 7 home games in a damn row and you expect the ground to bouncing? Fans singing your name? Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! 🤡 #BAFC
@MarvD1989: The atmosphere not good, hasn’t been good for a while. FUCK OFF.
@bafc_alex: Probably not wise to slag the fans off especially when you’ve got minimal backing
@tommysmith_1: Instead chatting more nonsense on radio derby you should be packing your bags
@BrewersView: how hasn’t he been sacked yet?
@TheLeeMilligan: The fans have had enough, less turning up every week, dire performances, poor excuses, over 2 years of shocking football and you wonder why fans aren’t creating an atmosphere 🙄 do everyone a favour, walk. It can’t get any worse. As for the players, you’re stealing a living.
@shaun_rowntree: The games are just getting worse and worse something has to change I really hope this man is not in charge for the next game
@markwighty6: Complete and utter waffle! 😴 #bafc
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