Published: 22/09/2009 00:00 - Updated: 24/03/2010 00:38

STRIKER LOOKS ON BRIGHT SIDE

by GLENN BROOKES

FOR Robin Shroot, Saturday afternoon was all about positives, despite the Brewers slipping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Albion lost out to a fourthminute Paul Benson strike, but had to endure Andy Corbett missing an open goal from a yard out, Shaun Harrad having a penalty saved, skipper Guy Branston being sent off and substitute Greg Pearson seeing an effort disallowed by a very late offside flag.

However, Shroot was able to look on the bright side, both from a personal and a team perspective.

From a personal point of view, the 21-year-old enjoyed his first start since the opening day of the season, while the striker, who is on a seasonlong loan from Birmingham City, felt the Brewers played well enough against the team lying second in the League Two table to at least have earned a share of the spoils.

“It was frustrating,” said the Northern Ireland under-21 international.

“I think when we played football we showed (we could match them), they’re second in the league and we battered them at times, and obviously if Corbs (Corbett) had put that one in that went across and Shaun scores the penalty, we win the game.

“But it’s all positive I think, playing like that at home against one of the top sides — it’s very positive.”

The Brewers had made an impressive start to the second half, but were then rocked by Branston’s 61st minute sending off for a professional foul on Benson, which Shroot admitted disrupted Albion’s pattern of play.

He said: “It’s difficult, obviously, when you go down to 10 men — I don’t think people realise how hard it can be.

“When you’ve got the ball obviously you’ve got one less man on the pitch and you’re aware that you don’t want to leave gaps at the back, so it’s disappointing, but that’s football.”

Shroot is also pretty laid back about having found himself on the substitutes’ bench for much of the season so far, revealing how he has remained positive and determined to enjoy every minute on the pitch when chances arrive.

He started on the opening day at Shrewsbury Town, but was then on international duty when the Brewers travelled to Reading in the Carling Cup three days later.

Since then, his opportunities had been limited to three substitute appearances before Saturday.

He said: “Yeah, I’m very pleased to be back in the starting line-up — I enjoyed it.

“The gaffer’s just said ‘go and get on the ball and play’ and obviously, as an attacking player, that’s what I want to hear, so I enjoyed myself — enjoy myself every game.

“You have got to take your chances when they come, you have to try and create for others and if you get half a yard or whatever, get a shot and see what happens.

“Fortunately, we created chances, which was positive.”

Asked how he has dealt with being on the bench, the striker said: “Itʼs frustrating for any player.

“All you want to do is play, but I havenʼt moaned to the gaffer. Iʼm reasonably quiet and he just said ʻgo on the pitch and enjoy yourselfʼ, and thatʼs what I tried to do.

“Every game you just have to go into with a positive attitude.

SERGE Makofo gets another chance to impress Albion boss Paul Peschisolido in a reserve team outing against Macclesfield Town at the Pirelli Stadium tonight, kick-off 7pm.

The former MK Dons striker is looking for a new club after parting company with Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic.