Martin Paterson: Burton avoiding relegation is massive achievement

Burton boss Martin Paterson hailed a “massive achievement” as his team avoided relegation on the final day despite losing 3-0 at Fleetwood.

Cheltenham’s failure to beat Stevenage meant the Brewers stayed up and will now look forward to contesting a seventh season in League One next term.

Paterson said: “I’m delighted because everything was stacked against this club, but we’ve done it and we’ve survived.

“I was having phone calls from experienced people and managers in the game three or four weeks ago, and they were saying ‘it’s going to be tough Martin, it doesn’t look like you’re going to be able to do this’, and yet we’ve done it – the group have done it.

“I don’t want them to have a hangover from today, in terms of looking ahead to next season.

“That was a terrible performance today. I’ve told the lads though, I’ve told them to move on because over the course of the season, we’ve got ourselves safe.

“We’ve kept this club in League One yet again, and that’s a massive achievement.

“I held that responsibility so hard that it has been tough for me, but I came here and told the chairman I could do this job, and I’ve done it.”

Already-relegated Fleetwood bossed the first half and deservedly led 2-0 at the break.

Carl Johnston drilled home early on, then Phoenix Patterson curled home a superbly-struck free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar.

The Brewers rallied a little after the restart, but back came Fleetwood and Tom Lonergan’s late tap-in wrapped up a comfortable victory.

The Cod Army were already doomed and 10 seasons in the third tier came to an end, but boss Charlie Adam is looking forward positively.

He said: “There’s been a lot of ‘what-ifs’ this last few days, but unfortunately we have fell short in the end.

“What I will say is though, that these lads have reacted exactly in the right way.

“Today’s was a real professional performance. You could see the difference between the two teams and the quality that we had.

“The intensity we showed was incredible at times, 3-0 was a good way for the football club to end the season, so we have to look forward to next season now.

“I’ve seen plenty of signs of encouragement this last three of four games.

“Our loan players will have to go back of course, but there will be other bits of business we’d like to do over the summer.

“I’m excited about next season. I’m looking forward to next season already, and we’ve already started planning for it.

“We know who we want to bring into the building, and I know our supporters will be excited about those targets too.”