Interim boss Gary Rowett was surprised by Burton's lack of hunger as they were thrashed 7-1 by Bristol Rovers at the weekend.
The form that had secured Albion's League Two status with a four-game unbeaten run was buried beneath a second-half goal avalanche at the Memorial Ground on Saturday as Rowett's men conceded six times after the break.
He told BBC Radio Derby: "The remit when I took over really was to make sure we got enough points to stay in the division and we have done that. But what I was hoping was that we kicked-on again and showed a little extra desire and hunger, however I was disappointed that it was lacking.
"I didn't take over a side who had won five on the spin, so we knew there were certain issues. And I had a sneaking suspicion about what might happen with us mathematically safe and all the hard work done. That's when you learn a lot about people.
"I have said all along that all I will try and do is get results. There's a problem at times when we concede two of three goals, but they had been brilliant for me for the previous four games.
"They worked their socks off in those games but everyone has now let themselves down. But I hope we get a response in the next game."
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