Post-Match Thread and Ratings Crewe Alexandra 1, Southend United 3

[Evening Echo]

A LATE brace from substitute Bilel Mohsni secured Southend United a 3-1 victory at Crewe Alexandra this afternoon.

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[rlb999]

A good performance today, much better than previous away games, and spoilt only by the bloke behind me criticising every single touch when we're 1-0 up and top of the league. Peter Gilbert in particular was taking an undeserved slating.

The main talking point is again the Mohsni one - he came on somewhere on the right of midfield, won us the game, and in that short time was clearly the most talented player on the park. However, was I the only one to notice that certain of his team mates couldn't have been less impressed with his 2 goal contribution - he was hardly warmly received. I suppose if you've slaved away for 80 mins in the rain at Crewe, before a showman turns up and takes the limelight, it can't do much for motivation. Interesting times.

We've now won 4 out of 6 away from home. Sturrock is clueless, isn't he.

 

[leeblue]

on the coach on the way home, mohsni is a genius, thought we were fading in the 2nd half but perfect timing from sturrock to bring on bilel

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Mohsni on the right wing...is there anything he can't do?

 

[Magnum PI]

The main talking point is again the Mohsni one - he came on somewhere on the right of midfield, won us the game, and in that short time was clearly the most talented player on the park. However, was I the only one to notice that certain of his team mates couldn't have been less impressed with his 2 goal contribution - he was hardly warmly received. I suppose if you've slaved away for 80 mins in the rain at Crewe, before a showman turns up and takes the limelight, it can't do much for motivation. Interesting times.

I find that extremely hard to believe

 

[jtsouthend]

Thought we played well first half and really should have killed the game off but somehow managed to only get one. Second half we started to tire...suprised to see JP taken off and almost cost us as Crewe seemed to be given the freedom to run at our back four. Typical Moshni to grab his chance when given it...and boy did he grab it...two good finishes any striker would be proud of. Problem these days are who do we leave on the bench...PS must love have that problem...great to have such good options now to liven up a game if required.Fans were great today and it sets us up nicely for next Saturday...let's get Roots Hall rocking!!!!

 

[Welly7]

The main talking point is again the Mohsni one - he came on somewhere on the right of midfield, won us the game, and in that short time was clearly the most talented player on the park. However, was I the only one to notice that certain of his team mates couldn't have been less impressed with his 2 goal contribution - he was hardly warmly received. I suppose if you've slaved away for 80 mins in the rain at Crewe, before a showman turns up and takes the limelight, it can't do much for motivation. Interesting times.

You're joking, right? Moshni came on and won the game, but do you think the rest of the team would have rather him not scored his brace and instead drawn the game?!

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

Got back an hour or so ago after enjoying my first game of the season, not consciously but because I've been away most of the time since August. The passion for the club is well and truly back.

By all accounts we weren't at our best today but we still found a way to win and that's a very good habit to have. Onwards and upwards to what will be a stern test next week. UTB!

 

[davidovolic]

The main talking point is again the Mohsni one - he came on somewhere on the right of midfield, won us the game, and in that short time was clearly the most talented player on the park. However, was I the only one to notice that certain of his team mates couldn't have been less impressed with his 2 goal contribution - he was hardly warmly received. I suppose if you've slaved away for 80 mins in the rain at Crewe, before a showman turns up and takes the limelight, it can't do much for motivation. Interesting times.

Mohsni's teammates were just telling him to calm down and see out the rest of the game, I'm sure they were delighted he got the goals

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

First half was poor. Crewe deserved to equalize. There is nothing Bilel can't do.

 

[Blue_Wes]

Good game, we were the better team, although Crewe always looked like they had a goal in them.

Mohsni is an enigma, one minute we're bemoaning the fact he's letting the team down too much and can't control himself, next he comes on and wins the game from right midfield. I didn't really see that the other players were unhappy with Bilel either but I was probably too busy going mental at that stage.

Thought the Kalalalalalalala decision was right, more so because the ref seemed pretty card happy, and with the wet surface and JP's style of play, you could easily of seen the ref making the wrong decision and reducing us to ten men. Also, as deserving as Bilel's praise is; it's slightly harsh on the likes of Timlin and Morris, both of whom were excellent, Timlin a real box to box performance, and Morris made a couple of decent stops, one of which was amazing at 1-1. Also Hall, who arguably made as big an impact on the game as Bilel, it was a fantastic cross from him that found Bilel in the box for the second goal.

Timlin seems to have found himself a new home, coming over and giving the fans a big applause and clutching the team badge in appreciation. Hopefully, we can make this move permanent.

 

[Hazey]

We didn't really get out of second gear until Crewe scored in my opinion, Hall coming on completely changed the game for us and once Bilel was up top to get on the end of the fantastic crosses he was putting in it all came together. The lads looked so pleased at the end and seeing Dickinson with who I assume is his little girl was lovely too.

 

[fbm]

A good performance today, much better than previous away games, and spoilt only by the bloke behind me criticising every single touch when we're 1-0 up and top of the league. Peter Gilbert in particular was taking an undeserved slating.

The main talking point is again the Mohsni one - he came on somewhere on the right of midfield, won us the game, and in that short time was clearly the most talented player on the park. However, was I the only one to notice that certain of his team mates couldn't have been less impressed with his 2 goal contribution - he was hardly warmly received. I suppose if you've slaved away for 80 mins in the rain at Crewe, before a showman turns up and takes the limelight, it can't do much for motivation. Interesting times.

We've now won 4 out of 6 away from home. Sturrock is clueless, isn't he.

Looks like you were, yes.

I've just seen the goals on SSN and there is a good old celebration going on after Bilel's first involving about 6 players. No evidence there to back up what you thought you noticed.

 

[leeblue]

Morris 7.5 until yesterday still wasnt a big fan of his, but two brilliant saves in the 2nd half and all round soloid display certainly converted me

Clohessy 6.5 excellent first half great overlapping, faded a bit 2nd half but solid enough

barker 7 excellent at the back

phillips 6.5 couple of hairy moments where he should have done things a bit quicker

gilbert 7 defended very well, distribution a bit better too

Timlin 7 out of position on the left, so much better in the centre, couple of great shots saved well

Ferdinand 4 scored yes but his display was terrible, caught in possession too often, didnt win the ball etc etc

kalalalalala 7 Broke up their attack quite well, kept it simple

Leonard 6.5 Really good first half seemed to run out of steam too soon in the second half

Harris 6.5 Not at his best but some of his link up play very intelligent, although needlessly conceded possession sometimes

Dickinson 6 Thought he offered very little, some flashes of skill held the ball up a little better second half

Hall 8 came on and oooooozzzeedd class, has to start, too good to leave out, two assists in fifteen minutes

Mohsni 8 as i described it to my hammers mate, we brought on our centre back to play right wing, he scores two outstanding goals to win us the game, the bloke is a legend for so many reasons (some bad) may have to be patient for a starting spot in the team but I get the feeling he will grasp the chance with both both hands

Grant 6 done ok

first half thought we were the better team, played some good football had lots of corners etc, 2nd half crewe got the ball down and played better, thought when they equalised they were gonna nick it but one look at our bench and then the way sturrock used them shows where we are at the moment. To start the game with Hall, grant and mohsni on the bench was a bit surreal, any of that three would walk into most teams in this league. I would like to see hall start with timlin replacing kane in the middle, this would be the tweek to the team I would make, hall = assists = lots of goals
MOM mohsni
Great day with the TZ crew again, brilliant with the players after the game, hall joining in top of the league chants, nice touch with dickinson and his daughter (i presume) at the end

 

[ooh-andy-ansah]

Mohsni's finishes were as good if not better than a lot of league 2 strikers, having someone so versatile in the squad could be the difference between promotion and staying in this **** league.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Another ground-out win without playing very well. 1st half was pretty poor, too much long ball but we gradually got more into it and looked more likely to score. Crewe had a few chances early on and a goal disallowed but looked shaky at the back. Timlin and Gilbert were our best attacking threat down the left and Harris was causing them problems up front. But 2nd half we started to sit back and Crewe started to put some pressure on us and to be honest they deserved to equalise. They were dominating the centre of midfield, their 2 CMs looked quite tidy. They'd had a few decent chances before that, Morris made one outstanding save and you could feel the goal coming.

At that point I thought 1-1 would be a fair result but on comes Mohsni and saves the day. As soon as he came on he started ruffling feathers, unsettling their defence, winning headers and making dangerous runs. Both his goals were very well-taken. Only negative was him winding up the home fans again. It seemed to start when Clohessy was getting loads of abuse from their fans and Mohsni was warming up and seemed to be debating the situation with their fans. Then in the 2nd half him and Sturrock were warming up in the corner and I noticed Mohsni kept pulling/lifting his shirt to some of their fans behind the goal. When he scored he ran to celebrate there both times which was admittedly quite funny but not particularly sensible. At least he didn't get in trouble this time and the 2nd time he saw sense and ran away and over to the bench. It was good to see Grant telling him to concentrate after the 1st goal when he was acknowleding the fans signing his name. As I heard someone say on the way out, maybe he'd be best used as an impact sub. Plenty of selection headaches anyway for Sturrockk. Hall also deserves a mention for his cross for the 1st goal, yet again he comes on and sets up a goal and in my opinion he has start against Morecambe. He's too good to be on the bench. Leonard was quiet yesterday and seems to have fizzled out a bit after some bright early appearances. Ferdinand was also poor (again) despite the goal. He's too casual and gets caught in possession. Gilbert's performance was probably the best I've ever seen from him. Made a great, brave goalmouth clearance, taking out Morris in the process and his delivery was much better. Probably MoTM. It's great to see the goals being spread around the team so much, another 3 yesterday and Kane's first of the season. Goal difference is keeping us top at the moment.

Good away support today too at my first away game of the season although there wasn't much atmosphere as we had the whole side stand to ourselves and seemed miles away from the home fans who barely made any noise except for the kids behind the goal. Nice to see all the players come over at the end and Dickinson with his little girl.

And what's why we're top of the league!

 

[Rodneyb]

Another ground-out win without playing very well. 1st half was pretty poor, too much long ball but we gradually got more into it and looked more likely to score. Crewe hardly threatened in the 1st half. Timlin and Gilbert were our best attacking threat down the left and Harris was causing them problems up front. But 2nd half we started to sit back and Crewe started to put some pressure on us and to be honest they deserved to equalise. They'd had a few decent chances before that, Morris made one outstanding save and you could feel the goal coming.

At that point I thought 1-1 would be a fair result but on comes Mohsni and saves the day. As soon as he came on he started ruffling feathers, unsettling their defence, winning headers and making dangerous runs. Both his goals were very well-taken. Only negative was him winding up the home fans again. It seemed to start when Clohessy was getting loads of abuse from their fans and Mohsni was warming up and seemed to be debating the situation with their fans. Then in the 2nd half him and Sturrock were warming up in the corner and I noticed Mohsni kept pulling/lifting his shirt to some of their fans behind the goal. When he scored he ran to celebrate there both times which was admittedly quite funny but not particularly sensible. At least he didn't get in trouble this time and the 2nd time he saw sense and ran away and over to the bench. It was good to see Grant telling him to concentrate after the 1st goal when he was acknowleding the fans signing his name. As I heard someone say on the way out, maybe he'd be best used as an impact sub. Plenty of selection headaches anyway for Sturrockk. Hall also deserves a mention for his cross for the 1st goal, yet again he comes on and sets up a goal and in my opinion he has start against Morecambe. He's too good to be on the bench. Leonard was quiet yesterday and seems to have fizzled out a bit after some bright early appearances. Ferdinand was also poor (again) despite the goal. He's too casual and gets caught in possession. Gilbert's performance was probably the best I've ever seen from him. Made a great, brave goalmouth clearance, taking out Morris in the process and his delivery was much better. Probably MoTM. It's great to see the goals being spread around the team so much, another 3 yesterday and Kane's first of the season. Goal difference is keeping us top at the moment.

Good away support today too at my first away game of the season although there wasn't much atmosphere as we had the whole side stand to ourselves and seemed miles away from the home fans who barely made any noise except for the kids behind the goal. Nice to see all the players come over at the end and Dickinson with his little girl.

And what's why we're top of the league!

Nice in depth report ... only thing Mohsni, really class finishing, what a character. I wonder what what he would be like as a goalkeeper as well, he seems to be able to do everything else. !!

 

[Clarky_Blues]

Thought Timlin made the difference when he moved in to centre midfield with Grant. Crewe's number 4 (Westwood) was running the show up until this point but Timlin & Grant shut him down. Not much to say as all been said. First half comfortable but after the break we let them come on to us. Sign of a good team to win and not play great.

 

[Semi-Spanish Shrimper]

Wasn't there, but sounds like we should give a lot of credit to Sturrock who seemed to get his tactics spot on.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

We cannot expect to play well all the time in this league, I have seen loads of side that won promotion to League 1, they do play cr@p most of the time and still win the game.