DANNY COLLINS has described Saturday's stalemate with Aston Villa as a point well earned… but says he is disappointed not to have picked up all three.
The Potters managed to keep Martin O'Neill's Champions League chasing side at bay throughout the encounter, and in fact it was the hosts who looked the more likely to seal a victory late on, with both Ricardo Fuller and Robert Huth going close.
"As the game wore on I thought we looked the more likely of the two teams to win it," he said. "Matty had a good run, Ricardo had a decent opportunity and Huthy was unlucky with his header right at the death.
"They are having a good season, but you'd expect them to be because they have some fantastic players, but I thought we were more than a match for them today.
"They have a lot to play for as they are chasing a Champions League spot so we knew we would have to put in a good performance, which we did and in the end I think it is a decent point for us.
"Not too many teams come here and take much away so I'd imagine they will be delighted to be going home with a point and a clean sheet."
The game itself was typical of a local derby. Both sides played with grit and determination with the two sets of defenders coming out on top as neither side managing to forge a breakthrough, something Collins admits wouldn't have been too pleasing on the eye of the supporters.
"As a player it was good, it was a real battle and we all had to dig deep and grind it out, but I would imagine it wasn't to enthralling for the supporters.
"The conditions were poor and the pitch was a little bit bumpy but we all put a shift in and to be fair so did their lads. Neither of us had too many chances."
Having found himself out of the first team picture in recent weeks, the former Sunderland man has since gone on to win his place back in the starting eleven. And whilst admitting it is frustrating to be sitting on the sidelines, he is still enjoying life at the Britannia Stadium.
"I'm thoroughly enjoying it here," he smiles. "We have done well this season and we haven't really had any worries about relegation because we have managed to keep a good gap between ourselves and the teams scrapping down there.
"I'm not going to lie because it is disappointing when you aren't playing and you're sitting on the bench but we have a good squad here now and inevitably a few of us are going to be disappointed on match day.
"All I can do is work hard and put in good performances when I get my chance. Thankfully I've had a couple of games and done ok, so I'll keep working hard and hopefully keep my place in the team."
