Substitute inspires comeback win against Daggers
Nasser El Khayati performed the role of supersub against Dagenham & Redbridge helping turn the game on its head and inspire the Brewers to what could be a crucial three points on the road towards promotion from Skybet League 2. The Rotterdam born striker came on with twenty five to go in place of Ivan Calero and after watching the home side grab the lead bearely moments after coming on the 26 year old attacker had a hand in Albion's equaliser before bagging his first goal in English football four minutes later and bamboozling the Daggers defence to help create the third goal for ex-Dagenham man Damien McCrory to wrap up the victory.For El Khayati getting that first goal in English football was a sweet moment as it completed a turnaround after the Brewers had looked to be heading towards a rare defeat. The January signing from Kozakken Boys was naturally delighted to finish well from Phil Edwards cross.
"I think it is absolutely fantastic." Nasser told www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk, "Especially when you dont start in the the first eleven but you come on as a sub and you score a goal. The more important thing is that you make a very important goal so I am happy but I am more happy with the three points today."
"I thought whether to take the shot first time but it bounced in front of me so I took a touch and then the shot and it was a good goal."
As it turned out, with all of League 2's top five sides playing away from home the Dutchman's first goal for his new club helped inspire a victory that was only matched by Wycombe's win at Carlisle with all of Burton's other promotion rivals suffering defeat but Nasser is not concerned with what the Brewers cannot affect.
"I dont know what the other teams around us have done today" he said, "but for us we dont care what they do. We have to win our games and if we keep doing well like this then it will be great at the end of the season."
With the Brewers current unbeaten run standing at thirteen games then confidence is high although the Daggers, on a five game unbeaten run themselves proved to be tough opponents showing again that there are no easy games in League 2 this season as Nasser admitted.
"If you win games then you get confidence of course but as you saw it was a tough game today but we did well especially when the scored. After that we did fantastic for the last twenty five minutes to get an absolutely important three points."
Although Nasser had a trial with Championship side Reading prior to Christmas this is his first real spell in England and he is still settling into life in this country although having a fellow Dutchman for a manager is clearly helping Nasser to settle in.
"I need a few weeks more to get used to everything but its ok." he admitted, "I am just focussing on the football. All the things around it will be ok and the gaffer helps me a lot so that is also important."
"The gaffer gives me a lot of confidence and I think this is the most important thing - to feel well and make the performance like we want to do."
After his impact off the substitutes bench against the Daggers El Khayati is obviously hoping that he is going to get a start in the side soon but he knows that breaking into an established side is not going to be easy and he is happy to play his part however that comes about.
"I will see what is going to happen. The gaffer is deciding the first eleven but I am ready as a sub or as a starter in the first eleven."