It seems that Jamie Allen is his own harshest critic - but Burton Albion fans won't mind that if it spurs the midfielder onto more performances like his display at Norwich City on Tuesday night.
The Brewers' deadline-day signing from Rochdale was given his second start in three days as Albion secured a goalless draw at Carrow Road, lining up alongside Luke Murphy and Lucas Akins in a 3-5-2 at Carrow Road.
Having shown promising flashes in tough circumstances during Saturday's 5-0 shellacking at Leeds United, Allen again caught the eye against the Canaries, with some classy touches in possession complemented by an incessant work-rate without the ball that helped keep the likes of Wes Hoolahan and Josh Murphy largely quiet for the hosts.
The nature of Allen's work, alongside his teammates, is summed up by the fact that Norwich had only two shots on target, despite amassing 69 per cent of possession.
Albion might have nicked all three points on a different night, with Allen himself coming close to finding the net at the back post, only for Ivo Pinto to block his effort.
"It came to me quite quickly, actually," said the 22-year-old.
"I was stuck in two minds either to smash it or sidefoot it.
"The lad actually told me at the end of the game that it's come off his face, so it was a lucky clearance.
"I'm disappointed with myself - I should've put that away."
To hear the creative midfielder reprimand himself after such a composed display in just his second Championship outing says much about the levels he sets himself in a Burton Albion shirt.
That will be music to Albion supporters' ears, given the competition for places in that central midfield berth when the likes of Matty Lund, Matt Palmer and Hope Akpan are back to fitness.
There is certainly no doubting Allen's desire.
"I've got a lot of energy about me, I like to get up and down the field," added Allen.
"I like to win the ball back, but I also like to be on the ball as well.
"And I am very annoyed if I give it away - so I'm very keen to get it back if I give it away."
With a first away point and first clean sheet of the season in the bag, Burton have now given themselves a timely lift heading into Saturday's home clash with Fulham.
"The spirits are high, we are buzzing with the point we got," said Allen, who will be preparing for a first Brewers outing at the Pirelli Stadium if he is selected at the weekend.
Norwich City 0 - 0 Burton Albion
"Like I've said, we could've nicked all three points in the end.
"But I think a point is good enough for us to go into our next game on Saturday against Fulham and take this performance into that one."
