Southend (a) 16/09

[just.reading]

Not far off but unable to add due to big sulk.

Sorry?

[Dr Feelgood]

Sorry I wasn't here I take full responsibility for letting our 2 goal lead slip..

[everbrite]

Sorry?

Bit annoyed we let 2-0 go awol. Afraid l let things like that get to me. Your assessment is pretty accurate. Surprised you haven't nominated mom?

[just.reading]

Bit annoyed we let 2-0 go awol. Afraid l let things like that get to me. Your assessment is pretty accurate. Surprised you haven't nominated mom?

Oh ok sorry didn't know what you meant. It was disappointing to let the lead slip but we came back well and had chances to re-take the lead. Taylor was my MOM against a very physical Ranger. Buchs a close second though.

[Adam-NTFC]

Interesting comments about Crooks. I was in the hospitality section with a Southend supporting uni mate and a lot of their fans rated Crooks including their Chief Exec!

[guest3114]

Very specific and well reasoned. However, the expert pundit (that's me naturally) predicts a draw possibly 2-2.

Always a gut rencher to lose a 2 goal lead, there's no getting around it. Still happy with a point and as it's already been said, would take your arm off for these results 3 games ago. Didn't concede late on and blow it altogether which we definitely would have done a couple of weeks ago? I think we showed a bit of character there which I feel was a real positive. By the way, disappointed nobody has thanked the expert pundit (me, for those that don't know) for winning more cash for the second game in a row? Should have cheered you up a bit, although I'd still have taken the win.

[Insider]

My thought on the players:

Ingram - Did ok, not at fault for either goal
Buchanan - Very busy today but did well. Mr Consistent
Taylor - Did very well against Nile Ranger who seemed to have snuck some springs into his boots
Barnett - Generally did ok but a very poor header for their 2nd goal
Maloney - Got up and down the wing well today, lacked help from Crooks
Kasim - Waste of space, far too negative when on the ball and doesn't look comfortable in a defensive position
Grimes - Looks classy and turned his man a few times but too many overhit balls over the top.
Powell - Dreadful. Apart from once he never looks to attack the full back and is woeful defensively.
Crooks - Wasted playing right midfield. Looked useful on the ball but also lost it a fair bit. Good finish for the goal, should be playing . Very silly red card
Long - Worked hard and did ok when drifting out wide. Unlucky to come off (instead of Powell)
Revell - A real handful for their defence today, won most headers and should have scored one (maybe two). Much more mobile than Rico
Waters - Good impact player, very direct and caused problems.

Overall I think we looked decent at the back but too often we pumped the ball long rather than playing through the midfield. The CM combination of Grimes and Kasim doesn't work though, far too often Southend had ample time to pick their passes without being closed down.

I would say that you got that just about right. Kasim is useless, way out of his depth,  cannot even kick a ball properly, and wanders around like a headless chicken. Powell's 11 on his back should say 118118, because he is about as mobile as a telephone directory. Boy, did MK Dons stiff us with that one. Waters simply ain't cutting it for me. Briushed off the ball, doesn't know what to do when he has it is.  The whole midfield isn't fit which isn't a surprise: not sure if JFH knew how unfit they are. Barnett I am not convinced by,  I cannot believe that Pierre would have buckled under those five minutes of early second half pressure.  Where we might disagree more is Crooks.  He was superb first half,  deft touches, clever running, a great finish and fantastic work rate. But second half he seemed to sink with the rest of the midfield.  And where I will disagreeisI Revell, he lost as many headers as won and what he did win was meaningless. I despaired second half, we were the same old hoofball (to Revs). It hasn't worked, isn't working, and I'd like to see a forward unit altogether more pacey,  more mobile and more energetic. Freshen it up. Grimes also great first half, but as with Donny and Pompey, he vanished second half.  

[Benji]

Just seen the goals, shocking defending from both centre backs for their second goal.

[Artlenock Cobbler]

Last Saturday at 3pm we had zero points. A week later at at 5 pm we have 7 points. A pretty good week and way better than most of us could have hoped for. 

[Irchy cob]

Last Saturday at 3pm we had zero points. A week later at at 5 pm we have 7 points. A pretty good week and way better than most of us could have hoped for. 

Exactly this. We can argue all we want about the limitations of some of our personnel but you can't deny that jimmy and the players have started to grind out the results. The acid test is the next few matches - Wigan on Tuesday is incredibly difficult especially with our injuries/suspensions as is Bradford next week, if we could somehow come out of those with a couple of more points it would be an unbelievable effort.

[guest3114]

Exactly this. We can argue all we want about the limitations of some of our personnel but you can't deny that jimmy and the players have started to grind out the results. The acid test is the next few matches - Wigan on Tuesday is incredibly difficult especially with our injuries/suspensions as is Bradford next week, if we could somehow come out of those with a couple of more points it would be an unbelievable effort.

Spot on Itchy. We'll be doing well with a point based on the afore mentioned problems with personnel. I have to add, looking at the continued results yesterday, useless as he was, JE was horribly unlucky with the opening fixtures.

[everbrite]

I would say that you got that just about right. Kasim is useless, way out of his depth,  cannot even kick a ball properly, and wanders around like a headless chicken. Powell's 11 on his back should say 118118, because he is about as mobile as a telephone directory. Boy, did MK Dons stiff us with that one. Waters simply ain't cutting it for me. Briushed off the ball, doesn't know what to do when he has it is.  The whole midfield isn't fit which isn't a surprise: not sure if JFH knew how unfit they are. Barnett I am not convinced by,  I cannot believe that Pierre would have buckled under those five minutes of early second half pressure.  Where we might disagree more is Crooks.  He was superb first half,  deft touches, clever running, a great finish and fantastic work rate. But second half he seemed to sink with the rest of the midfield.  And where I will disagreeisI Revell, he lost as many headers as won and what he did win was meaningless. I despaired second half, we were the same old hoofball (to Revs). It hasn't worked, isn't working, and I'd like to see a forward unit altogether more pacey,  more mobile and more energetic. Freshen it up. Grimes also great first half, but as with Donny and Pompey, he vanished second half.  

Sorry Kev  - I beg to differ on some of the points you make, but their yours and it is your opinion.
Kasim did one or two good things, but he is not good enough to retain his place.Long apart from one or two decent probing runs faded in the second half.  I agree with you tho'. Cannot understand why he played Barnett in lieu of Pierre. The majority of the side did ok 1st half  and thought we looked a much better side than they did. Revell with Long played ok, but once Long had gone and replaced by lone ranger Waters , Revell looked a bit ordinary. Grimes did well throughout and did at least try to play some decent passes, but as you say did have moments of anonymity 2nd half. They all did tho' except Ingham who I thought was consistently good second half. Powell wth the the physique he has should have roasted their full back and his committment driving fwd was lacking. Jury very much out am afraid. I personally think that Revell and Long are ok and proved it today 1st half. You are right of course we need a decent winger and forward. Certainly today had we had a decent striker we would have had more than two goals as Southend were not in it. Defensively we are ok with the proviso that Pierre is reinstated PDQ as Taylor (even Barnett) were sound particularly Taylor and the two full backs. At the end of the day inspite of intense pressure the defence never caved in and as far as I am concerned never looked like conceding any further (late) goals. That man Ingham marshalls the defence well.
Their goals: the first took a massive deflection off Moloney(?) which wrong footed everybody ; pretty sure that Ingham would have saved it comfortably , but was probably going wide. For the second apparently Barnett was the culprit for a misplaced header - didnt see that tho'. One last thing Waters did cause them some problems with his speed; eventually running into trouble but I do ask where was his support?

ps our second goal was excellent, good move and clever cool finish by the improving Crooks.

[Cobbler78]

A point away is a good result again the majority of L1 teams.

Any idea what Jimmy said about our point lads?

[cobbler150]

Powell, Bowdy, Kasim, Barnett all signings that happened befor budget was increased.

So lets all thank the lord it was

[Baldy]

Sorry I wasn't here I take full responsibility for letting our 2 goal lead slip..

Plagiarism! Part timer!

[Baldy]

Last Saturday at 3pm we had zero points. A week later at at 5 pm we have 7 points. A pretty good week and way better than most of us could have hoped for. 

Indeed. Well Jimmy and all the players!

[Vintage Cobbler]

It's a long tome since we gained 7 points from 3 matches so a very good start for JFH.  What is worrying is our 2nd half performances.  I think Insider is right in pointing out that there are fitness problems in midfield which have to be down to the previous regime.  I recall that JED said on his arrival that the side were not fit enough so that was another area he failed to improve. But JFH has inherited JED's squad and from what I have seen Powell, Bowditch, Kasim and Barnett are not good enough.  I struggle to understand how Barnett was selected ahead of Pierre yesterday.  Waters is a work in progress but I can't see him starting on a regular basis.  Foley is back in training and hopefully JJOT will be available before mid October.  Hoskins may be able to replace Powell but his is more right sided.
 With Crook suspended (stupid idiot) Tuesday at Wigan looks tough.

[OldStratfordCobbler]

 With Crook suspended (stupid idiot) Tuesday at Wigan looks tough.
[/quote]I don't think many people would have given AFC much of a chance at Blackburn yesterday so there is always hope for Tuesday night.

[meccanostand]

We obviously need attacking midfielders to vent pressure.  Powell, Bowditch and probably Waters will all be ripe for replacement and JFH is probably working on that now in the free agent market.

Shame we couldn't get Berry of Cambridge or Appiah that went to Wimbledon.

[Vintage Cobbler]

I think Meccano is right with his comments although I wouldn't unload Waters yet, he is a work in progress.  I think midfield will perform better when JJOT, Foley & McWilliams are available for selection and this should be about the same time.  But the lack of width and genuine pace remains a problem.  Well done JED.