BLUE SQUARE PREMIER - SATURDAY 11th AUGUST 2007

HISTON

0

BURTON ALBION

0

ATT: 1205

CTMD view: The season starts with a mixture of disappointment and relief. There are positive signs going forward with Jake Edwards winning a lot of high balls and a decent service being given to Daryl Clare. Both of the Brewers goals were stunning strikes, but inversely both of Histon's goals were from defensive lapses which is a worry.

Jon Shaw was man of the match despite playing out of position, but I hope that Nigel Clough does not see him as a long term option at centre half. Against better quality forwards he could be in trouble.

Mark Greaves looked lost in the centre of midfield and had no influence on the game and he will hopefully be used more in the defensive positions.

The Glassworld Stadium is a good place to visit and will be even better once they get used to dealing with bigger crowds. The seating area for Albion fans was only opened after intervention from club officials, and the attempts then to segregate the area were farcical. The snack bar ran out of everything by the second half, but the stewards and fans were friendly and so overall it was a good first impression.

Managers view:

Nigel Clough

Steve Fallon “very good performance right up to the 90 odd minutes, but we have to learn from this, we got caught cold at the start of the second half, we had good chances to win, but fair play to them, importantly we learn from today”

Fans view:

Mark Raven (Burton Albion) In the first half it looked like a pre-season friendly match - no fire from either team. I think Nigel Clough expected them to come at us but they didn't. Conversely I though Edwards was disappointing and Greaves and McGrath were playing on the same bit of grass and getting in each others way. Shaw was clearly man of the match, both of our goals were superb and although we got out of jail at the end, a point each was fair for two poor sides on the day. Defensive errors cost us the goals, but it shouldn't have got that far. I'm happy with a point. You have to remember that we played without a real central defender for most of the game after James was taken off. (Shaw - striker and Webster - left back). Poole also had a great game as usual. As for Histon nice enough place albeit basic, nice enough people. To be fair, the team is in the survive and consolidate end of the table as far as quality is concerned, but then again perhaps so are we?

Steve Wells (Histon) IF, and I mean IF, you can keep Clare fit all season he will score goals nearly every game, Poole looked under pressure in the first half, with the high crosses, couldn't do anything with the goals.
Histon, will need to learn from today, 88 minutes winning the game, 94 minutes drawing, I still think we'll be still in this league next season, as for Burton, mid table