THERE'S been some criticism of Harriers' lacklustre performance against Coventry City, which is totally understandable, but the team can only be judged at the end of the season.

Harriers fans felt let down that their team did not produce a much more swash-buckling display at the Ricoh.

Even at Conference level fans in today's consumer driven world demand constant high performances and Saturday's cautious approach let down the 3,006 or so who made the short trip to Coventry.

But Harriers were never going to win the FA Cup and this exciting dalliance has been just another highlight of a surprisingly good season down at Aggborough.

If Harriers defy the expectations from the start of the season and finish in the top five then the joy of making the play-offs will soon wash away the unsatisfying feeling left by the loss to the Sky Blues.

The fact that fans are unhappy that they did not knock out a Championship side 62 places above them in the table is a product of Harriers' success so far.

If the squad runs out of steam and slips out of the top five then fans will look back at this result and put their finger on the moment when the rot set in.

That success could depend on Harriers' own ambition and the backing of manager Mark Yates in the January transfer window.

Chairman Barry Norgrove has already said that Harriers must cut the deadwood in order to strengthen.

The likes of Paul Bignot and Michael McGrath will be on their way out but it's imperative that the core of the squad stay.

Strengthening the squad will be key and hopefully the board find some money to back the manager.



WHAT NEXT FOR BURTON?
NO one can blame Nigel Clough for following in his father's footsteps and taking the managerial reins at Derby County.

It's a big club with a lot of potential and Clough is an ambitious young manager.

Roy McFarland will need all of his experience to pick up a squad who had been playing out of their skin for Clough.

Some credit must go to Derby, who are gambling on an unproven English manager at Championship level. No doubt part of the motivation to sign him was to do with money and his father's reputation but this is Clough's chance to make his own mark.



LET'S LAUGH AT THE AUSSIES - OOPS
LAST week we were laughing at the demise of Australian sport and now the English nation is left red-faced at the embarassing crisis at the ECB.

The departure of Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores illustrates one thing - that England excel at being totally laughable.

The next time that Australia lose there will be a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that we'll try top their woes with an even greater disaster.