We can do better but it's results that matter now says boss Rowett

THERE was no attempt to hide the fact that Burton Albion had been below par when manager Gary Rowett reflected on his side's hard-earned 1-0 win over in-form Barnet.

But the Brewers boss said the three points put them ahead of the target he had set privately before the season.

"After 30 games, my target was 45 points. Well, we've got to that target with a game in hand, so anything we can get at Oxford (tomorrow) will be a bit of a bonus," said Rowett.

"At this point of the season, whether you grind them out or play brilliantly, it doesn't really matter.

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"We're getting into the business end of the season and it's about results, pure and simple.

"It was by no means the best we've played all season. It was a very scrappy game and we couldn't retain the ball enough.

"But we defended and saw the game out. Barnet always seem to get a result here so I'm just pleased we won the game.

"You have to give Barnet some credit. They beat Gillingham away from home and not many people would have had that down on their coupons.

"They beat Rotherham away as well and Ian Sharps said they were really good at Rotherham. They dominated the game and could have won by more.

"So I'm pleased we managed to keep them a bit quieter. They had a bit of the ball but that doesn't hurt you unless they can turn it into shots on goal."

Rowett acknowledged that his side would have to play better in other games to stay in touch at the top.

"I'd like to play better, of course," he said.

"We're going to have to play better than that to keep getting results but it's the hallmark of a half-decent side if you keep grinding it out for three points.

"We want to do a bit more in the attacking sense but there are not many times you would say that, at home, we have not attacked well.

"We've played really well at home on the whole."

Rowett opted to give a debut to loan signing Sharps at centre-half and replaced goalkeeper Dean Lyness with fit-again first choice Stuart Tomlinson – the reward was a clean sheet, with Barnet rarely having a sight of goal.

"Some people may have argued that we've done well at home so why change it?" said Rowett.

"But I wanted to get both of them in the side and you can see what they both give us.

"Sharpsie seems to be in the right place all the time and Tomo gives us that little bit of presence.

"There are small things, such as back-passes, when he gets the ball 60 or 70 yards back up the pitch so you don't have to defend."