GARY Rowett conceded that his Birmingham City side were second best in their 2-0 loss to Burton Albion, whilst also praising his former side’s desire on his return to the Pirelli Stadium.
Rowett, who left the Brewers for Birmingham in 2014, saw his side struggle to create chances as they slumped to just their third defeat in the Championship this season and the Blues’ manager admitted that Burton had deserved their win.
“ I thought they (Burton) ran with a little more drive than us tonight, you looked at Lloyd Dyer getting the ball and running past players, I can’t remember any of ours doing the same.
“We are a work in progress, sometimes you have to take one on the chin and try to move on, reason with it and improve.”
Rowett also said that his team didn’t adapt well enough to the atmosphere created in the Pirelli Stadium, despite preparing for it.
“It was a night that we prepared really well for, I tried to warn the players of what this place can be about,” he said.
“The atmosphere they create here and the way that the players feed off of that and really drive forward as a team."
The result moves Burton into 13th place, five points clear of the relegation zone, while Birmingham remain in the play off places, five points off of top spot.
Rowett’s side now head towards a blockbuster ‘Second City’ derby against fierce local rivals Aston Villa, while Nigel Clough’s Brewers face a trip to Elland Road to face Gary Monk’s Leeds United.