Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-2 Maidenhead United

[Sensei Phil]

I sit in the East so couldn’t personally confirm. My mate in the West said that Moncur did, others have said Bonne too. If true, they can both do one, we’re better off without them.

Maybe Moncur went the loo cause I did see him sat on the bench. Pretty certain I didn't see Bonne though at all .....

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Game of opinions as always but can’t believe anybody would think Husin did anything of note. The only time he wasn’t losing the ball, he was passing it backwards.

That was one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen in a blues shirt in 35 years

Yep, somehow he manages to stay on the pitch, whilst others around him are subbed - completely baffling

 

[Liam AAS]

Brass tacks...if this was anybody other than Kevin Maher, they would have been picking up their P45 by now. No question.
The biggest concern for me is that sentiment and blind loyalty is going to keep this agony going indefinitely.

It is loyalty, but I don't think it's blind.

I watched him lead a team of players last year when many of them weren't paid when due, who didn't have cover for rotation, water at the training ground, some of whom weren't offered legal protection of a contract. Those players nearly made the playoffs, Kevin Maher turned coal into gold last year when he could have walked away to a much easier job in a higher division. We all saw it and he won manager of the season as a result.

We have started badly and don't look likely to improve tomorrow but this is, at the moment, just a bad run of form and there's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[Reefs]

It is loyalty, but I don't think it's blind.

I watched him lead a team of players last year when many of them weren't paid when due, who didn't have cover for rotation, water at the training ground, some of whom weren't offered legal protection of a contract. Those players nearly made the playoffs, Kevin Maher turned coal into gold last year when he could have walked away to a much easier job in a higher division. We all saw it and he won manager of the season as a result.

We have started badly and don't look likely to improve tomorrow but this is, at the moment, just a bad run of form and there's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Do you ever ask yourself if maybe, just maybe, the core reason for the highlighted form was the creation of a siege mentality - something which often papers over shortcomings in talent and tactical naivety?

Now that the troubled waters have been negotiated, this potent galvanising effect has disappeared, and now we are simply left with the aforementioned lack of talent and tactical nous?

We are getting consistently outplayed by lesser teams, and perhaps more worryingly, Maher is getting outmanoeuvred by rookie managers.

I guess we shall see how this plays out.

 

[Stuart W]

It is loyalty, but I don't think it's blind.

I watched him lead a team of players last year when many of them weren't paid when due, who didn't have cover for rotation, water at the training ground, some of whom weren't offered legal protection of a contract. Those players nearly made the playoffs, Kevin Maher turned coal into gold last year when he could have walked away to a much easier job in a higher division. We all saw it and he won manager of the season as a result.

We have started badly and don't look likely to improve tomorrow but this is, at the moment, just a bad run of form and there's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I agree with this point, assuming you are using “baby” as a metaphor for the management team, and “bathwater” as a metaphor for several of our players, Bonne, Crowther, Ndi and Husin who immediately spring to mind.

 

[MikeLapper]

There’s no doubt that Bonne needs to show more in his general play but I really feel for our forward players at the moment.

Our build up play is so slow that it’s allowing the opposition to get their shape and sit in and we are finding it very difficult to create anything. There definitely needs to be better movement from the forwards but they really are feeding off scraps at the moment. Maybe Bonne would be doing better if we were actually getting the ball in the box from decent positions more?

Which also leads me onto Moncur. Little to no movement from the strikers, and opposition with 10 players behind the ball, is giving him no opportunities to create.

Things are really f*cking grim at the moment.

 

[rshepp]

Incredible how many people on here and Twitter are saying they'll stop going soon. 5th October. Are you all new to supporting Southend or something?!

Fairly new. Not brought up here. Just a stop on the way to another job.
Have therfore seen plenty of different teams.
This is terrably.

 

[Liam AAS]

Do you ever ask yourself if maybe, just maybe, the core reason for the highlighted form was the creation of a siege mentality - something which often papers over shortcomings in talent and tactical naivety?

Now that the troubled waters have been negotiated, this potent galvanising effect has disappeared, and now we are simply left with the aforementioned lack of talent and tactical nous?

We are getting consistently outplayed by lesser teams, and perhaps more worryingly, Maher is getting outmanoeuvred by rookie managers.

I guess we shall see how this plays out.

I think that was an element of it, absolutely, but not the predominant force; and even if it was, who'd lay the responsibility for creating that mentality at anyone else's door? Things can be papered over for a short period of time (see Mr K Bond), but generally not an entire season.

We are playing badly, but there are still plenty of points to play for. And there is time to bring in players of sufficient quality to replace those we've lost or who haven't found any form so far this season.

 

[HertfordshireBlue]

I still standby my earlier comments about Maher but I do also want to raise another perspective I didn’t consider until the dust settled.

People say Maher has no more “excuses” now, I still agree he needs to be more versatile and reset the system/formation but he has plenty of “excuses” left in my opinion. The suggestion ‘we have signings now, so we should be playing better’ doesn’t add up when we think Maher and John Still were feeding off scraps in the closing transfer market with only a handful of free agents left and the majority of our first targets going to other clubs.. we have also had the spine of our team completely ripped out with Miley injured, Kensdale and Cardwell gone..

Maybe I’m just stuck in a dream world of wanting nothing but success for Maher, I know he needs to change something but I don’t like the shouts of this being the worst team we’ve had and that his employment needs to be considered, I think it’s reactionary following a very disappointing couple of games, but I think a few need to understand he’s still had it incredibly tough and I don’t believe he’s still been given a fair crack at building a team how he wants it.. by all means If things do not improve by January then we can have that conversation, but I firmly believe he’s still doing work with one arm tied behind his back.

 

[PIERS]

I don’t have a problem with players storming off when they have been subbed .
I also don’t think Bonne is ****e..
what is ****e is our inability to get the ball up front in less than half an hour.
When was the last time we scored a goal on the break.
When was the last time we had a ‘break’
When was the last time we went from nicking possession near our box and getting up front in two passes. Rather than 15 involving Colin twice.
There fans singing your just a **** canvey island. I’ve been To park lane many a time and seen Maidenhead play there . King’s team back then would wipe the floor with both teams on show today..

 

[Wingnut]

Give the reserve keeper a go

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

You know even when we had siege mentality there were poor performances and complaints about subs, mentality etc. we just papered over the cracks with a strong mentality and good players.

Now we have no siege mentality and the same issues around maherball and lesser players.

So many excuses being shared and blaming still is bonkers.

Yes we are where we are but the same in game mistakes, playing mentality and formation exist.

Ive been consistently critical of Maher (not as a human) but as a tactician and game manager. His style is not sustainable at this level. I've been shot down many a time and offered all the excuses.

I'm in the Maher out camp as I never felt he would be our long term promotion leading manager. Great guy, saved our bacon but not our promotion leading manager.

I'd like to see a return to faster moving, one touch attacking football with proper width and a more attacking setup. I wonder if the players would like that too?

Bonne, bridge and Moncur, who have been lambasted on here, perhaps have their hands up already? Maybe that's the issue with the whole team.....

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

I don’t have a problem with players storming off when they have been subbed .
I also don’t think Bonne is ****e..
what is ****e is our inability to get the ball up front in less than half an hour.
When was the last time we scored a goal on the break.
When was the last time we had a ‘break’
When was the last time we went from nicking possession near our box and getting up front in two passes. Rather than 15 involving Colin twice.
There fans singing your just a **** canvey island. I’ve been To park lane many a time and seen Maidenhead play there . King’s team back then would wipe the floor with both teams on show today..

This.

 

[SHRIMPERR]

Phil Brown style signings.

Certain individuals on here told me that signings like this are ‘needs must’ and I got shot down for saying it was a terrible way to run the recruitment process. You either stick to the process you set out at the start of preseason or run the risk of overpaying for players on a downward trajectory which negatively impacts the team both on and off the pitch.

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Oh and I'd do a poll but have no idea how to create one.

Perhaps polls on:

Maher out - messiah, yes, give to more games (and if so how many)

Maherball ie keep, better players or change and options

Whether we are being entertained and getting value for money

Who to take over
(I know matt Lockwood is looking for a role and a way back to football after his international stint!)

 

[Fitz]

Certain individuals on here told me that signings like this are ‘needs must’ and I got shot down for saying it was a terrible way to run the recruitment process. You either stick to the process you set out at the start of preseason or run the risk of overpaying for players on a downward trajectory which negatively impacts the team both on and off the pitch.

Exactly this….I would get rid of Bonne and Moncur. Just a hunch but don’t thing their egos are doing anything for the morale and dynamic of the team. The last pedigree player that did anything for us was Shaun Goater…..there have been so many experienced failed signings since!

 

[nick12]

The weather was good

And the Smarties

 

[wiggy]

It was an odd signing for a management team that have prided theirselves on vetting players attitudes and personalities , Bonnie has a rep of disrupting dressing rooms and is difficult to manage .
Maher hasn’t really had any egos or big personalities to manage in his reign, they have all been youth players or young up coming players from the leagues below who are grateful for the chance , I’ve cryptically mentioned that this will be a tough season for Maher as I could see signs of a disjointed balance in the team - however I must say that Moncur could be a real talent at this level if used correctly

Everything must go through him quickly so he’s on the turn and he can make things happen , slowing the game down makes average sides look good as they can regroup , gather their shape and make it difficult to break down , the goals the other week were from break away phases of play that had pace and tempo …..something we have lost recently

Has Maher done well so far - yes
Have we improved under him - not sure
Can he be replaced - most definitely

Oh to try a new manager that tries to play football rather Mahers one dimensional trash

 

[BEERMONSTER]

Just an observation without prejudice one way or another, but after the performance of the players and the feelings expressed today, by some, you couldn't blame KM if he associated with this sentiment:-

 

[nick12]

I have read so many comments on here following today's s#it show and apart from the odd person still blaming the (get over it and move on) one common theme is the body language of the players especially the ones substituted and stormed down the tunnel is that Kev has serious issues in the dressing room which he particularly highlighted by calling the players out in his post match interview.

If the dressing room has been lost there's no coming back so it's time for someone to end the misery and with Kev's integrity I think he will call it before COSU are forced to make a decision.

I feel so sad because Kev has been to hell and back for our football club and he is very rightly regarded as a Southend legend and we all desperately want him to succeed but I genuinely feel we are going backwards and the never ending excuses are wearing very thin