Best to wait until the dust settles

[Welly7]

Such rubbish mate.
We have done what we aimed to achieve which was to get to the play offs and see what we could do.
Doncaster were simply brilliant. Played us off the pitch, simple as. The lads tried their best but their quality proved. Defensively they were sound, giving Barnard no room whatso ever.
Im proud to be a Southend supporter more than I ever have right now.

We now look forward to next season, come on you blues!

The season doesn't stop at 46 games. If you make the play offs then you try to win them, not give in to the pressure. Last night looked like a top of the table team against the divisions whipping boys - which makes it even harder to take 'cos we're a better side than we showed.

 

[Blueshrimper]

though out that "party" i just felt sad/gutted and let down, had my head in my hands from 3-0, and even had a little tier in my eye at full time, it just seemed the game didnt mean that much to some,and the fact we lost was ok coz we can play Col Ewe next season.
last night simple was just a waste of a whole season

Do you really believe the people singing didn't care? If they didn't care they would have stayed at home. Don't try and play the "free travel" card because people still had to book time off work, pay for tickets etc. I'm sure everybody in the Southend end were gutted when we went 3-0 down but it doesn't mean they don't care just because they didn't cry at the end. We proved last night that we were simply not good enough to go up to the Championship and most fans realised that. As for it being a waste of a whole season. How? In January we looked like finishing in mid table but with some brilliant January signings Tilson has put together a side that could well challenge for the title next season, and thats encouraging for the future of the club. Ok its disapointing but in the long term promotion would have been too early this season.

 

[ms brush]

Why are you lot never happy...??

We were written off by the bookmakers at the start of the season - in fact I saw some pundit saying we were odds on to be relegated again after we lost our first 2 or 3 games.

At Christmas we were all saying that the play offs were beyond us and that mid-table was the best we could hope for.

We had a fantastic run, and played some amazing stuff. Okay, our defending is a bit suspect at times, we do make some silly mistakes on occassion, some of our players have been off form or under-performing a bit - but we finished comfortably in the play off spots.

So far - much better than anticipated or expected.

Then we played Donny at home last week. very tight game, and could have easily gone either way. We were absolutely NOT a disgrace - in fact, we looked pretty good.

Then last night... we had a mare. Thats it!
I was there as well, and was not an armchair viewer, so I do know what I am taking about!

I thought that the game was changed by the penalty. I didnt think it was (not seen a replay yet, so wont discuss till I have) - but you could see that the players thought it wasnt! Its at that point we let the pressure get to us and it went pear shaped. I dont think it has anything to do with Mouss playing out of position, Macca being ineffective or Walker hitting the bar... (I could go on for hours).

The bottom line is that we were outplayed on the night by a very very decent Doncaster side who had done their homework!!

They marked our midfield (esp Gower) out of the game in both legs, and kept a very tight rein on Barney and Walker. With that creative streak under control we resorted to the hoof up the middle which has never been our best tactic. We had a bad day at the office!

On the up side, we got a late consolation goal - which was actually very well taken by Bailey, and we have got the best support in the league. What other fans do the conga at 5-0 down, sign constantly and the rings of 'we're gonna win 6-5' were still in my head this morning.

Disappointing result - yes!
The way I wanted us to finish the season - no!
Do I realistically think we are ready for the Championship - I think we need another season at least, so no!

Did the team let us down?
Were they disgraced and humiliated on national TV?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!! They did their best - thats all we can ever ask of them. Doncaster were quite simply awesome last night.

I am very proud to be a southend fan (especially so after our performance last night), I am very proud of our club, proud of every one of our players, and VERY proud of Adam Barratt and the others who came over at the end of the game (and gave away their boots and shirts) to show their appreciation of our support. He looked as gutted as we all felt, and Peter Clark was distraught.

Please stop talking c**p, stop complaining and start look forward to next season.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Well said indeed ms b :clap:

 

[Uncle Leo]

Why are you lot never happy...??

We were written off by the bookmakers at the start of the season - in fact I saw some pundit saying we were odds on to be relegated again after we lost our first 2 or 3 games.

No we weren't. We were generally about sixth favourites for the division. So we've ended up as expected really.

And there is no way on earth we have been odds on for the drop at any stage of this season, with the possible exception of TonyTheKray Turf Accountants.

 

[HudsonNo1]

All this negativity after a season which in my eyes is a success. As said above at christmas we could only think of finishing mid table and builden for next season. Now we have finished in the playoffs and fairly comfortably aswell, which IMO gives us a more stable builden block for next season. Its all about progress and growing, we also have fans have to grow with the team and progress with them.

The support last night showed us why we are fans of this club, and showed us that no matter what happens the loyal fans are doing what football is all about, having a good time, enjoying yourself and most of all showing your commitment and dedicationg to your club.

I ask you whats thay diffrence between a fan and a supporter? The awnser...fans are fickle, they jump on when the success is there and moan when it isnt, a supporter? They are the people who were jumping around at 4-0 down last night.!

 

[stickyboy]

As for the Support, well it was good but why?

Its an interesting point especially if you consider the difference when we were equally abject there a few months ago!

For me it was more much fun and a laugh singing through that than plainly watching it and getting even more depressed about it. Had it been a boxing match the ref would have called a halt to precedings before HT but we made the most of it and it the end I felt a lot better at the end of the game than HT.

 

[Blueshrimper]

Its an interesting point especially if you consider the difference when we were equally abject there a few months ago!

For me it was more much fun and a laugh singing through that than plainly watching it and getting even more depressed about it. Had it been a boxing match the ref would have called a halt to precedings before HT but we made the most of it and it the end I felt a lot better at the end of the game than HT.

Exactly. I would rather have done that than sitting there depressed watching the second half.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Exactly. I would rather have done that than sitting there depressed watching the second half.

I'd have rather done that too than sitting at home swearing as each goal went in!

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

We have had a great season, but there was one thing over everything else that annoyed me last night, and it was the 5th goal, and Flahavan showing his....well....I dont know, just stupid behaviour.

As a goalkeeper, you set your wall up to cover one side of the goal, and you cover the other side of the goal. If the taker bends it round the wall and into that side of the goal, there is nothing you can do about it. As Coppinger went to hit it, Flavs took a big step to the side HE had set HIS wall up to cover causing him to be totally wrong footed and beaten. Had he have not moved he could have just caught it (or saved it).

I really think we need a better keeper next season.

Thats the only thing that really really ****ed me off

 

[Richard_Cadette]

I have read all of the varying replies - some in agreement with me, and of course, some not. The point is, this isn't an over reaction about how our season has gone - there is plenty to be happy about this season, and on the whole, the team have done well - certainly in the latter 16 games or so.

Lasnt night, however, was the 3rd most important game in our history (that's debatable I guess, but I feel it was) and the players completely choked - and what was worse than choking, was losing the fight, will and belief to carry on - they simply rolled over and died, and how they could let that happen with the kind of backing they got from us is beyond me.

I don't hold with this theory we have over achieved this season at all - 2 years ago we were Champions, last seaosn we were in the Championship, and so therefore, you absolutely have to be considered as one of the contenders for promotion. I didn't expect us to romp the league, and if I am being honest, you would probably have settled for the playoffs at the beginning of the season. With that in mind, we finished roughly about where people expectd us to finish. that is not over achieving.

Once you finish in that top 6, then you have as much chance as anyone else of going up.

It's not the losing that bothers me, it's the manner in which we lost that I have an issue with. Donny were excellent, no denying that, and even us at our peak would have struggled, but too many players were not upto the job, and as if to compound that, just hid away rather than puffing out their chests and saying, we can actually do something here.

Not only that, the decision to drop Tommy Black, possibly brought on by the crowds continuing slagging off of him, was IMO a very costly one. You should NEVER change the team that has got you into this position, unless forced to do so by injury, and especially not with what is a very inexperienced player playing out of position.

Oddly enough, I am feeling less confident about next season than I was at this point last season after being relegated! The memoyr of the defeat will take a lot of getting rid of, and I would not be surprised if we suffered the mother of all hangovers next year.

 

[Jay_Shrimper]

As a goalkeeper, you set your wall up to cover one side of the goal, and you cover the other side of the goal. If the taker bends it round the wall and into that side of the goal, there is nothing you can do about it.

Apart from say well done, that was a great free kick.

 

[wiggy]

I have read all of the varying replies - some in agreement with me, and of course, some not. The point is, this isn't an over reaction about how our season has gone - there is plenty to be happy about this season, and on the whole, the team have done well - certainly in the latter 16 games or so.

Lasnt night, however, was the 3rd most important game in our history (that's debatable I guess, but I feel it was) and the players completely choked - and what was worse than choking, was losing the fight, will and belief to carry on - they simply rolled over and died, and how they could let that happen with the kind of backing they got from us is beyond me.

I don't hold with this theory we have over achieved this season at all - 2 years ago we were Champions, last seaosn we were in the Championship, and so therefore, you absolutely have to be considered as one of the contenders for promotion. I didn't expect us to romp the league, and if I am being honest, you would probably have settled for the playoffs at the beginning of the season. With that in mind, we finished roughly about where people expectd us to finish. that is not over achieving.

Once you finish in that top 6, then you have as much chance as anyone else of going up.

It's not the losing that bothers me, it's the manner in which we lost that I have an issue with. Donny were excellent, no denying that, and even us at our peak would have struggled, but too many players were not upto the job, and as if to compound that, just hid away rather than puffing out their chests and saying, we can actually do something here.

Not only that, the decision to drop Tommy Black, possibly brought on by the crowds continuing slagging off of him, was IMO a very costly one. You should NEVER change the team that has got you into this position, unless forced to do so by injury, and especially not with what is a very inexperienced player playing out of position.

Oddly enough, I am feeling less confident about next season than I was at this point last season after being relegated! The memoyr of the defeat will take a lot of getting rid of, and I would not be surprised if we suffered the mother of all hangovers next year.

Brilliant again!

 

[A Century United]

Blimey R_C, doesn't this unadulterated adulation from the Wigster* worry you just a teeny bit?

*Wigster - DEF: One who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

 

[Scottish_Shrimpers]

I have read all of the varying replies - some in agreement with me, and of course, some not. The point is, this isn't an over reaction about how our season has gone - there is plenty to be happy about this season, and on the whole, the team have done well - certainly in the latter 16 games or so.

Lasnt night, however, was the 3rd most important game in our history (that's debatable I guess, but I feel it was) and the players completely choked - and what was worse than choking, was losing the fight, will and belief to carry on - they simply rolled over and died, and how they could let that happen with the kind of backing they got from us is beyond me.

I don't hold with this theory we have over achieved this season at all - 2 years ago we were Champions, last seaosn we were in the Championship, and so therefore, you absolutely have to be considered as one of the contenders for promotion. I didn't expect us to romp the league, and if I am being honest, you would probably have settled for the playoffs at the beginning of the season. With that in mind, we finished roughly about where people expectd us to finish. that is not over achieving.

Once you finish in that top 6, then you have as much chance as anyone else of going up.

It's not the losing that bothers me, it's the manner in which we lost that I have an issue with. Donny were excellent, no denying that, and even us at our peak would have struggled, but too many players were not upto the job, and as if to compound that, just hid away rather than puffing out their chests and saying, we can actually do something here.

Not only that, the decision to drop Tommy Black, possibly brought on by the crowds continuing slagging off of him, was IMO a very costly one. You should NEVER change the team that has got you into this position, unless forced to do so by injury, and especially not with what is a very inexperienced player playing out of position.

Oddly enough, I am feeling less confident about next season than I was at this point last season after being relegated! The memoyr of the defeat will take a lot of getting rid of, and I would not be surprised if we suffered the mother of all hangovers next year.

have to say after a day of reflection i agree with a lot of what you say... most important game of the season and we bottled it..

i do disagree about next season though.. im very confident about a push for promotion because
1) many positives out of this season
2) the league will be slightly weaker
3) we know the standard and we know what players we need to compete in this league and the CCC
4) we need it because if the club wants to move forward and into a new ground, there is no point still being in league 1 with half the ground full.
5) we have gained a lot of experience and i hope character espeically after last nights defeat!

i will have high expectations like many others im sure and i dont expect to be out of the top 6 next season and the team will have a lot of pressure on them.. that wont change and the management and players are going to have to just deal with it and stop bottling matches (i refer also to the two LDVs finals)

i for one once fixtures realised i'll be itching for the season to start... and i fancy our chances for automatic!

 

[Sherif H]

I have read all of the varying replies - some in agreement with me, and of course, some not. The point is, this isn't an over reaction about how our season has gone - there is plenty to be happy about this season, and on the whole, the team have done well - certainly in the latter 16 games or so.

Lasnt night, however, was the 3rd most important game in our history (that's debatable I guess, but I feel it was) and the players completely choked - and what was worse than choking, was losing the fight, will and belief to carry on - they simply rolled over and died, and how they could let that happen with the kind of backing they got from us is beyond me.

I don't hold with this theory we have over achieved this season at all - 2 years ago we were Champions, last seaosn we were in the Championship, and so therefore, you absolutely have to be considered as one of the contenders for promotion. I didn't expect us to romp the league, and if I am being honest, you would probably have settled for the playoffs at the beginning of the season. With that in mind, we finished roughly about where people expectd us to finish. that is not over achieving.

Once you finish in that top 6, then you have as much chance as anyone else of going up.

It's not the losing that bothers me, it's the manner in which we lost that I have an issue with. Donny were excellent, no denying that, and even us at our peak would have struggled, but too many players were not upto the job, and as if to compound that, just hid away rather than puffing out their chests and saying, we can actually do something here.

Not only that, the decision to drop Tommy Black, possibly brought on by the crowds continuing slagging off of him, was IMO a very costly one. You should NEVER change the team that has got you into this position, unless forced to do so by injury, and especially not with what is a very inexperienced player playing out of position.

Oddly enough, I am feeling less confident about next season than I was at this point last season after being relegated! The memoyr of the defeat will take a lot of getting rid of, and I would not be surprised if we suffered the mother of all hangovers next year.

Excellent post, and reflects my worries and sentiments exactly.

 

[fredheim_holm]

Interesting about the important game thing. If we did half decently against our promotion contenders we would have nicked 2nd spot, but we didn't. It's a shame as we did well against the easy teams.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Blimey R_C, doesn't this unadulterated adulation from the Wigster* worry you just a teeny bit?

*Wigster - DEF: One who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Every rule has an exception ACU :)

To be fair, Wiggy often riles the majority on here, and whilst it is usually a point of view only the minority share, it is still, nonetheless, an opinion which is worth every bit as much as the next man... or woman's!

 

[Richard_Cadette]

have to say after a day of reflection i agree with a lot of what you say... most important game of the season and we bottled it..

i do disagree about next season though.. im very confident about a push for promotion because

2) the league will be slightly weaker

I don't agree with that I'm afraid. If you look at it logically, Leicester have come down and will no doubt be a genuine title contender with an excellent manager on board, and no doubt, decent backing from Mandaric.

One of Donny ro Leeds will still be in this league next season, and whichever one of those it it, will without question be one of the favourites for the title.

Add to that, Peterbrough and MK Dons will be arriving with some serious cash behind them.

Throw all of that together, with the possibility of us losing a couple of decent players, and I think next season will be every bit as tough as this year, if not, tougher.

 

[Nobby Snide]

Oddly enough, I am feeling less confident about next season than I was at this point last season after being relegated! The memoyr of the defeat will take a lot of getting rid of, and I would not be surprised if we suffered the mother of all hangovers next year.[/quote]

totally agree.. think we'll struggle tbh