Ah, the life I lead sometimes brings me to wonder. How does a bakery worker get the chance to write his weekly rant in the press room at Wembley stadium, after witnessing a really poor Community Shield.

I know I'm here on merit, by virtue of being labelled the best in my field, but it still comes as a bit of a fantasy world. Take this as an example. I had a chat with former England gaffer Graham Taylor, rubbed shoulders with Andy Townsend, Dean Keily, Efan Ekoku and Craig Burley and the ultimate moment came when Martin Tyler (sky sports commentator) purposely made a point of saying hello to me! Oh my god!

So if you saw the Community shield then you'll indeed have some edge of sympathy for me, as it was not exactly a classic. Portsmouth were short of anything like the quality they showed last season and United did nothing more than use the game as a work out. United won the first ever Charity Shield, now the Community shield, in 1908 so fitting they should win the centenary game.

When Carlos Tevez was introduced as a Manchester United player last season i was, to my own admission, a little spectacle about the Incredible Hulk look-a-like. After seeing him in the flesh a few times I must eat the humble pie that's being offered. A real work hoarse with the flair of Ronaldo and the tenacity of Rooney, Tevez really has the full quota. A deserved Man of the Match winner on Sunday.

Obviously the big story of the weekend was the kick off of the new season. Whilst Birmingham left it late against Sheffield United, Leicester got off to a great start and Hartlepool started the season like a house on fire it was news from Pride Dark that had me in tears. Tears of joy, needless to say!

In rolled the results from around the country and as per last season, albeit mostly at a higher standard, Derby still hadn't won a game under the leadership of Paul Pornstar! Getting your backside handed to you by Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd or Chelsea is kind of acceptable for the mint sauce loving, welly wearing, sheep folk.

Being beaten by a team only just promoted to the second tier of English Football, for the first time in over 40 years, at home on the opening day.....is not so acceptable.

Jewell then decided to do the oldest managerial trick in the book, "I'm not going to make excuses" he said, right before he added "but we had 7 new players out there who need time to gel". Note to Mr Jewell, that's called an excuse.

Another mention must go to newly promoted Annan Athletic of the Irn-Bru Scottish Division 3. It might be early doors but they've already set the pace by being top. A massive feat for the tiny Scottish club, let's hope they learn from Gretna's errors financially, but continue on their successful path up the league's.

The Reds

Despite my absence in miles, I was able to get one of the tech people at Wembley to fit me a little screen in the TV gantry, enabling me to watch the game. Hardly the A block or Capital One corner, but it was enough.

I even had to watch the last ten minutes of our game with Reading whilst doing my specialist commentary on the Community Shield, now that's skill!

The guys were good and what was more refreshing was the competitiveness shown, to match former Premiership opponents. McGugan and Moussi look nowhere near out of their depth, in fact a turn from McGugan on Harper during the first half was truly top flight from the City Ground's new messiah.

How refreshing to hear CC say that injuries are not an excuse (take note Derby fans) his answer is maybe to get someone in whilst the frontline injury woes ease. So much for Nathan Tyson proving he's worth a better contract, he hasn't even made the opening game before his injury jinx struck again.

Earnshaw's effort and endeavour certainly make up for his lack of height, although I had to question Forest's back line on occasions, playing the ball long? Ok, round the corner or into the channel is a good tactic with his pace, but the long ball for our 5ft giant to challenge is not best, don't want to see it happen too often.

Overall a good start, and let's face it we're above Derby! Long may that continue.

Alan March
commentator for Visually Impaired spectator's at Nottingham Forest and Wembley Stadium.