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...the game in general.
I thought it was typical first game of the season with both sides being slightly cagey and not wanting to give anything away. It made for quite a poor game from a neutral perspective. Obviously, I was delighted that we managed to get the equaliser and come away with a deserved point. We looked slightly disorganized at times and I can only put that down to events the previous day and the fact that our caretaker-manager had only seen the players for one training session. Overall I thought a draw was a fair result although you did have most of the chances but that is to be expected from the home team.
...Notts County.
Well from what I gather, Notts County were much improved yesterday from last season and after a nightmare train journey home which left me so bored that I read the matchday programme cover to cover I also now understand that yesterday was sort of a new beginning for you. You played nothing more than OK. I think you will improve as the season progresses and some of your players return from injury.
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It was a late equaliser yes but we did deserve something from the game and I was pleased that we got the goal. As you could probably have guessed by our reaction in the Kop we did enjoy that goal.
...the penalties.
The only was any of the two teams were going to score yesterday was from penalty decisions because neither side carved out any real goalscoring opportunities. Like I said, both sides were being very cagey and the immense sunshine also had a part to play. From our end of the pitch it was difficult to see where Wayne Brown had committed an offence for your penalty so we took the ref’s decision a bit hard. It was a well taken penalty by Baudet though so credit must be given their. As for our penalty, well it was right in front of us and as clear a hand-ball as you’re ever likely to see. I don’t think you can have any complaints there.
...Clare's miss.
Daryl missed quite a few penalties last season but he keeps stepping up to take them so that says something about the character of the man. It was a poor shot in all honesty but the reaction by Rappers was excellent and I’m sure that Daryl was more than pleased to atone for the penalty miss by stabbing the ball over the line.
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I know that you will all disagree with me but I do think that the draw was a fair result. Neither side played particularly well but you edged it on half-chances. We should both be happy with a point apiece though as you will get better and better in my opinion and although a win would have been nice, you never want to lose that first game.
...players who stood out.
For you lot, I was very impressed with Julien Baudet who almost managed to do what most Conference defences never managed last season. Keep Daryl Clare quiet. Although Dazzer did come come good eventually. Baudet was strong and dependable and also converted a very coolly taken penalty. For us the star was harder to pick-out. Too many players had off-day’s in my opinion. Ben Davies never tired and battled well in midfield for us. See you next March at the Deva!