Brett Pitman says Bristol City's climb up the Championship is a reward for the hard work manager Keith Millen and his squad put in on and off the pitch.The 22-year-old striker, who arrived from Bournemouth in the summer, has scored five goals in their last three games, all wins.
And his brace against Derby helped City reach 17th in the Championship table.
"At Bournemouth we worked hard, but this team works harder, which is hard to believe," he told BBC Radio Bristol.
"We've set ourselves targets and we've met them in the last 10 games, we're pleased with that and hopefully we can carry that on and kick on."
Pitman arrived at Ashton Gate having helped Bournemouth win promotion from League Two with 28 goals last season and signed off for his old club with a hat-trick against Peterborough in August.
However, he struggled to make an impact at City, and conceded to finding the step up in class difficult to handle, but he looks to have now found the pace of Championship football after 12 goalless games.
You know you have potential in your midst when you look back just 12 months to find that Pitman was playing League Two football
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The drought stopped when he came off the bench to score against Leicester and since then he has netted braces at home against both Sheffield United and Derby to catch the eye at the perfect time with Nicky Maynard on the comeback trail from injury.
"It took me a little bit of time but I've been happy with how I've been playing, regardless of the goals, but they're obviously a nice bonus," added Pitman.
"It's nice to score goals, but more importantly it's nice to win three points.
"There's competition all over the pitch throughout the side. It's healthy competition and we feel the gaffer has headaches as to who to pick, but at the moment the lads who are playing are winning and I don't think anybody can argue with that."
Maynard, who scored 21 goals last season, has been given the all-clear to return to action after having knee surgery in August and is relishing the prospect of challenging for a starting spot when the time comes.
"I think Brett is doing a brilliant job and long may it continue. He's scoring goals, is in a rich vein of form and deserves his place in the side," said the 24-year-old.
"It's up to me to work hard in training, regain my sharpness and try and force my way back in. It's not going to be easy and it won't happen overnight, but I do like a challenge."
Watch Pitman's brace in City's 2-0 win over Derby
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport