Clarke must be dropped now

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 30 2006,17:07)]Last year we won a very weak league;

It was a far weaker league than the one we're in this year, but I don't think it was any weaker than the third tier has ever been previously.

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (Jam_Man @ Sep. 30 2006,16:49)]Like against Brighton when we let in two ?

I sugest we stop blaming the fact we arent a good enough team on one or two individuals.

I appreciate the sentiment but yesterday highlighted the massive problems that we have at the back. When we got the ball down and started playing we looked good, but everytime one of the back four made a howler (and there were many, many of those moments) the rest of the team visably lost confidence.

We're a poor side at this level, but other poor sides have survived before and so can we. But the difference between those teams and us is that we're defending absolutely shambolically. I like Barrett but he was woeful yesterday, he barely won a single header and gave away several needless free-kicks. And he was the achiever of the two centre-backs. I like Clarke and I really hope that he can go on and prove himself to all of us, but his performace yesterday was as poor as any I've seen from a Southend defender in years. A true David Morely-esque X-rated horror show.

Francis had a shocker too. I thought he played well against Cardiff but he was bitterly disappointing yesterday. Constantly pushed off the ball, often caught out of position and barely found a blue shirt all afternoon.

We've been poor at the back since the very minute that Sodje broke his leg against Bournemouth. He now looks fit and worth a chance. But Brighton scored twice with him in the team and their second was definately Sodje's fault too so he's not going to be able to flick a switch and make everything all right. The defence is a unit and we need all the parts of that unit working if we're to tighten up.

 

[Southend Elvis]

Why not try hunt and cheese aswell as barrett and sodje. It cannot do any worse than at present.
The team has changed too much, when we went up from the 2nd to the first not much changed, but this year, new defence, new attack new midfield. Maybe we should go and get last years players back .
I'm not surprised flavs is making a few mistakes, with our defence at the moment.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Southend Elvis @ Sep. 30 2006,17:00)]Col u seem to be coping, this division isn't that much better than the one we left. I think our team was better last year than this. So we should just give up and go down a division

B*llocks. One thing I've noticed this season is the big gap between the 2 divisions. Bigger clubs and better players. So you think Jupp would've done better than Francis or Gray better than Hooper?

Yes we were awful yesterday but we always knew this season was going to be hard. Derby can afford to get players from Arsenal whereas we can't. Tilly got it wrong yesterday by playing 3 central midfielder in a 4 man midfield because it meant we had no width and just played long ball, but we have to keep the faith. Next game I'd bring back JCR for Guttridge, play Ricketts with Freddy and drop Clarke for Sodje. Clarke just doesn't seem up to it at the moment.

I'm sure we'll have more lows like tomorrow but as long as we win the majority of our home games and pick up points here and there away from home then we'll be OK.

 

[Southend Elvis]

Shrimpboy you really are a plum, support them through think and thin, I have done enough of that over the past fifteen years and will carry on for the next fifteen. The division is better, but the major problem is our form, playing like this in league one would see us near the bottom of that division.
Tilly needs to pick up some loan players to add some compitition. I've been told Francis was the problem yesterday, so he needs time on the bench.. put hunt in there

 

[Bielzibubz]

Quote[/b] (Southend Elvis @ Oct. 01 2006,11:19)]I've been told Francis was the problem yesterday, so he needs time on the bench.. put hunt in there

How the hell can you make decisions on team selection if, A you weren't at the match and B, because you were told by someone else what the problems were?

Pot, kettle, black springs to mind.

 

[Draft Shrimper]

I'm not going to repeat much of what is being said but it is simply clear for me where the problem lies. I'm not one of these 'boo boys' and do not slate players during the game or otherwise i just comment on what i see. The partnership between Barrett and Clarke is not working as yet and for me it's Clarke that needs to be dropped. I'm sure it it will come good and Clarke is still adjusting to his new environment and team mates etc. Unfortunately I don’t think we have time to wait for it to improve.

We need the no nonsense defending of Efe in there and we all know that he has a good partnership with Barrett.

Also I think we have scored the least or second least goals in the division so far so its not just the defence that needs improving.

I did see some good signs of things to come though yesterday.  While Hooper did the best he could he was up against two strong centrebacks, although not especially good, (particularly the huge No. 23 or 26 can’t remember), and just bounced off him all game.  Obviously with time he will get stronger but why we played hoof ball to Hooper and Freddy I will never know!  

When Ricketts came on he gave the centrebacks all sorts of grief, holds up the ball well and plays intelligent passes and through balls.  Lets hope he can get fit as quickly as possible as he will make all the difference.

Our best chance came (albeit at the end when the game was well and truly over) when JCR put a great ball in which was flicked to the back post where Gower then put the ball back in and Ricketts header was excellently saved by their keeper.  That was the only cross I can remember from the whole game!

If we can start doing this with the likes of Harrold and Ricketts I’ve got no doubts the goals will come.  I keep forgetting that we have Bradbury to come back and while not likely to get many goals I think he works well with Freddy.

In conclusion: Get Efe in defence
Ricketts (and Harrold otherwise, not Payneter i'm afraid) to partner Freddy
(And get balls in the Box!)

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Southend Elvis @ Oct. 01 2006,11:19)]Shrimpboy you really are a plum, support them through think and thin, I have done enough of that over the past fifteen years and will carry on for the next fifteen. The division is better, but the major problem is our form, playing like this in league one would see us near the bottom of that division.
Tilly needs to pick up some loan players to add some compitition. I've been told Francis was the problem yesterday, so he needs time on the bench.. put hunt in there

Francis has been our best summer signing so far. He's a quality right back and the only out and out right back we have.

What next drop Eastwood?

 

[tomasufc 4eva]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ Oct. 01 2006,11:38)]Francis has been our best summer signing so far.

Err no.

 

[stickyboy]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ Oct. 01 2006,11:38)]Francis has been our best summer signing so far. He's a quality right back and the only out and out right back we have.

think Francis has looked good when coming forward but cant defend for toffee which is a slight issue for a defender.

 

[jamessufc88]

Haven't read whole topic so don't know if some of this hs already been said.

I disagree. I think Francis has quality and the potential to be even better. He seems to be a confidence player. A bit up and down. One good game, then the next not so good. He is inconsistent but the problem does not lie in his quality. He has saved us many blushes this season with last-gasp, barnstorming sliding tackles.

Yes, our defence has problems. We are leaking goals, Clarke isn't playing as well as he should, blah blah blah. BUT, for me, the root of the problem lies in midfield. Our defence makes mistakes/panics because it is put under so much pressure by our midfield. Every single game, we get completely out fought, out battled and out run by the opposing midfield, mainly in the centre. How would you feel if you were a defender and saw the other team completely over run and burst through our own midfield, then come racing at you with the ball at god knows what speed? I for, for one, would be kacking my pants.

I'll say it once and I'll say it again. Whoever partners Maher is a weak link. Guttridge isn't doing it and is getting out muscled all the time. Hunt is too similar to Maher. We need a central midfielder who is gonna bomb forward, and we need one who is also a tough, workhorse-like b@stard. What I'd give for a Mark Bentley-type central midfielder who has Championship player. Put someone like that in the middle and we won't get run over all the time. It would also help if we had a right winger who can come back and give Francis a bit of support. JCR isn't doing that.

Yes, I'd like to see the Sodg given a go in place of Clarke but I don't think our problems will be solved until we get a new midfielder in the mould that I have just described. The defence aren't coping because they are being put under so much pressure by a midfield that is always getting out muscled, out fought and over run. The defence is bound to make mistakes when it has no support and is panicing at the other team charging at them without challenge.

God I wish we'd got Robinson.

 

[Southend Elvis]

This is what I love about football, one person thinks a player is great another thinks he is sh*t, personally I look at results, and stats , and after seeing Francis not perform a few times, and also listerning to the radio, and getting a mates opinion, as well as hearing Tilly say Clarke was at fault for the second goal I made up my own opinion that Clarke must be dropped. I don't want to be on a downer all week, I just want us to see us do well..

 

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (The Big Shrimp @ Sep. 30 2006,17:22)]Sodje would improve things at the back a little. He would win a few headers for starters. Barrett at 5'11" is a short-@rse in central defender terms & has barely won a header all season. Where Sodje & Barrett were so good last season, is they played as a unit. Sodje won the headers & Barrett swept up on the occasions he didn't. If he didn't win them he usually did more than enough to make it easier for Barrett to win. Both Barrett & Clarke can play the same role with Sodje.

Our main problem is in midfield. Maher has had to do everything, but acts like the school bully. Its his ball & I will let you have it if I feel like it. Maybe thats because the rest of the midfield hasn't been upto the job. JCR should be used late on when players are knackered & his pace will be most useful. Gutts has a problem that nobody knows about, because he ain't the same player of last season, even allowing for the step up in standard. Gower has been one of the most improved players from last season, but still fails to deliver the killer ball. This is a problem he shares with the rest of the Midfielders.

The word we are all searching for is CREATIVITY!!! This is something we need quickly. Tilly should have invested in this instead of spending the money on Paynter. I'm not picking on him as a scapegoat, just the £200K we could have spent elsewhere! Tilly should be on the phone to a few Premiership managers looking for a midfielder on loan, before its too late.

Win as a team, lose as a team! Remember that folks!

The best and most constructive post about our current problems I have read tonight.

 

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Sep. 30 2006,19:35)]Barret has IMO a better understanding of the game and of those around him and will clean up any lose balls that get through.

You have got to be joking me - so wrong on both counts. He definitely canNOT read a game of football and as one of the slowest defenders we have is not someone that is able to clear up at the back.

It makes me laugh where everyone is looking at Clarke for this week's scapegoat yet only one other person has (dared) to mention the supposedly unspeakable. and castigate the Lord God AB.

Prior for his experience and aerial ability and Efe for aerial ability and excellent pace for someone of his age would go some way to sort out the defensive shortcomings but these are not the only problems we have at the moment.

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Quote[/b] (jamessufc88 @ Oct. 01 2006,13:26)]Haven't read whole topic so don't know if some of this hs already been said.

I disagree. I think Francis has quality and the potential to be even better.  He seems to be a confidence player.  A bit up and down.  One good game, then the next not so good.  He is inconsistent but the problem does not lie in his quality.  He has saved us many blushes this season with last-gasp, barnstorming sliding tackles.

Yes, our defence has problems.  We are leaking goals, Clarke isn't playing as well as he should, blah blah blah.  BUT, for me, the root of the problem lies in midfield.  Our defence makes mistakes/panics because it is put under so much pressure by our midfield.  Every single game, we get completely out fought, out battled and out run by the opposing midfield, mainly in the centre.  How would you feel if you were a defender and saw the other team completely over run and burst through our own midfield, then come racing at you with the ball at god knows what speed?  I for, for one, would be kacking my pants.

I'll say it once and I'll say it again.  Whoever partners Maher is a weak link.  Guttridge isn't doing it and is getting out muscled all the time.  Hunt is too similar to Maher.  We need a central midfielder who is gonna bomb forward, and we need one who is also a tough, workhorse-like b@stard.  What I'd give for a Mark Bentley-type central midfielder who has Championship player.  Put someone like that in the middle and we won't get run over all the time.  It would also help if we had a right winger who can come back and give Francis a bit of support.  JCR isn't doing that.

Yes, I'd like to see the Sodg given a go in place of Clarke but I don't think our problems will be solved until we get a new midfielder in the mould that I have just described.  The defence aren't coping because they are being put under so much pressure by a midfield that is always getting out muscled, out fought and over run.  The defence is bound to make mistakes when it has no support and is panicing at the other team charging at them without challenge.

God I wish we'd got Robinson.

Pretty much spot on, with the minor exception that JCR couldn't support Francis yesterday because he didn't come on until too late. When he is on, he works amazingly hard going forward AND chasing back.

Ditto about getting Robinson

 

[bertiebigbanana]

Quote[/b] (jamessufc88 @ Oct. 01 2006,13:26)] Put someone like that in the middle and we won't get run over all the time.  It would also help if we had a right winger who can come back and give Francis a bit of support.  JCR isn't doing that.

Yes, I'd like to see the Sodg given a go in place of Clarke but I don't think our problems will be solved until we get a new midfielder in the mould that I have just described.  The defence aren't coping because they are being put under so much pressure by a midfield that is always getting out muscled, out fought and over run.  The defence is bound to make mistakes when it has no support and is panicing at the other team charging at them without challenge.

God I wish we'd got Robinson.

I reckon your 'bang on' their mate, except for the JCR bit. I would contest that he is the one winger/midfeilder who does track back to help his full back. May i suggest that the worst marker/back tracker is in fact gower who loses his man 50% of the time. apart form that i have been espousing the same since the season began

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Quote[/b] (shrimpboy @ Oct. 01 2006,11:38)]

Quote[/b] (Southend Elvis @ Oct. 01 2006,11:19)]Shrimpboy you really are a plum, support them through think and thin, I have done enough of that over the past fifteen years and will carry on for the next fifteen. The division is better, but the major problem is our form, playing like this in league one would see us near the bottom of that division.
Tilly needs to pick up some loan players to add some compitition. I've been told Francis was the problem yesterday, so he needs time on the bench.. put hunt in there

Francis has been our best summer signing so far. He's a quality right back and the only out and out right back we have.

What next drop Eastwood?

I'm sorry mate, but I would say that Francis has been one of the worst summer signings, absolutely nowhere near the best, and there isnt much to choose from right now!

I think I was possibly the first person on here to raise doubts about him, and that was after seeing him in Pre Season, where he made a mistake in every game, and he hasnt stopped doing that since the season began.

I am not singling him out as the only problem, or making him a scapegoat for that matter, the are plenty of other reasons why we are where we are in the table right now, but Francis has not impressed me one bit so far, and it is not only Clarke who should be removed from the backline, but Francis as well.

 

[wiggy]

Quote[/b] (Southend Elvis @ Oct. 01 2006,16:42)]This is what I love about football, one person thinks a player is great another thinks he is sh*t, personally I look at results,  and stats , and after seeing Francis not perform a few times, and also listerning to the radio, and getting a mates opinion, as well as hearing Tilly say Clarke was at fault for the second goal I made up my own opinion that Clarke must be dropped. I don't want to be on a downer all week, I just want us to see us do well..

The bloke on the radio Alliker, is more interested on the taste of the meat pies than on the action, you won't get any clues from him. Travel away at a very reasonable £150 for petrol, hotel and match tickets, that's what ya wanna do, also it is worth every penny when the team rewards you with an exiting performance like saturday's one!

 

[Shrimpbizkit]

Francis was given no cover at all by Hunt on saturday, allowing their left back to bomb forward as well. Hunt was moving inside all the time because he is not a right winger. Had JCR playing he might well have given their left back more to worry about. I think Francis is a solid player and is terrific at getting forward, would have him over Hunt.

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Quote[/b] (Jam_Man @ Sep. 30 2006,16:45)]How many players must we drop before we accept we are just not good enough as a team ?

Its not one players fault we are struggling and just having Sodje in for Clarke would not suddenly make us start performing.

No it would not make us perform, but the last few weeks Clarke has been at fault single handedly for a goal-a-game!!