NIGEL Clough wants to see his team move into the top half of the table over the next three league games.
The Brewers face Coventry on Saturday (kick off 3pm), then travel to Blackpool and finish November at home to Charlton.
The Brewers manager said: “If we can be in the top half by the end of November then we can look to make progress after that. We still have five months then to make progress towards the top six.”
To do that Albion will have to improve on the performance at Scunthorpe last Saturday, says the manager.
He says: “It was a big step backwards on Saturday, to how we were at Wycombe a few weeks ago and you think you have made progress but on Saturday it didn’t feel like that.”
Coventry also lost in the FA Cup to Walsall despite good league form.
Clough said: “It doesn’t always follow that when you are playing well in the league and getting results that the cup game goes for you. Walsall were due a victory and sometimes it just happens in the cup like that. Like us Coventry will be disappointed that their league form hasn’t carried into the FA Cup."
Clough wants his team to get back to the tempo that saw them win 3-1 at Walsall.
He said: “I don’t understand when we are playing so well and controlling the game why an experienced back four can’t keep a clean sheet. It's not the way we are playing that is costing us goals as we are not being outnumbered. It’s not too many men going forward and then breaking on us four on three or anything like that. The defenders are our most experienced players and they have to do better.
“And in the other penalty area we have to take more chances but it’s easier to score goals when you are not chasing games and the pressure is on. Then chances come, and you snatch at them a little bit.
“It’s a collective responsibility as well not just individuals.”