Post-Match Thread and Ratings Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 Southend United

[Evening Echo]

DAGENHAM & Redbridge boss Lewis Young admitted Southend United fully deserved their 2-0 win on Saturday.

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[Evening Echo]

A WEEK seems a long time in football.

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[Ricey]

I'm glad some of the wiser posters are giving Kev credit for the substitution of Kendall. There were a few sat around me who took it as a negative play, but it was simply to nullify the extra man in midfield and it worked more or less instantly.

As people have said, the fixation on formations is a little odd. We don't play with 5 at the back and never have. We go out to win every game we play. It's not worked this season for various reasons but the system we have been playing for most of this year was absolutely fine last year. It is the personnel on the pitch that have not necessarily performed how we want them to.

I've found a lot of the stick handed out to our manager this season utterly baffling.

Does someone have to agree with your opinion to be a wiser poster?

These constant digs from you and others for people’s views is embarrassing. You can disagree with someone without picking at them or patronising a collection of posters.

I respect people’s opinions that they think Kendall’s substitution was a good tactical decision and I respect those who think it was a bad decision. The thing is if we would have lost the game after he got taken off then Kev would’ve got pelters for that. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Not everyone on here has done coaching badges, coached/played football. There are varying levels of experience. Some may have never kicked a ball in their life. That doesn’t make them any less of an expert, they see football in a different way to someone who is a UEFA level A coach. I’m a fan, have played a bit (badly) and don’t pretend to be a tactical genius. I enjoy watching football and then shouting at clouds afterwards when we have lost. I shout ‘shoot’ and have got annoyed because we aren’t passing forwards. Does this make my opinion any less important than yours or the wiser posters? That’s down to personal preference. But that doesn’t mean it’s ok to be condescending to people’s views you don’t agree with or think are wrong.

 

[Sherif H]

Does someone have to agree with your opinion to be a wiser poster?

I think the answer you are looking for is 'yes'...

 

[Jai]

Does someone have to agree with your opinion to be a wiser poster?

These constant digs from you and others for people’s views is embarrassing. You can disagree with someone without picking at them or patronising a collection of posters.

I respect people’s opinions that they think Kendall’s substitution was a good tactical decision and I respect those who think it was a bad decision. The thing is if we would have lost the game after he got taken off then Kev would’ve got pelters for that. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Not everyone on here has done coaching badges, coached/played football. There are varying levels of experience. Some may have never kicked a ball in their life. That doesn’t make them any less of an expert, they see football in a different way to someone who is a UEFA level A coach. I’m a fan, have played a bit (badly) and don’t pretend to be a tactical genius. I enjoy watching football and then shouting at clouds afterwards when we have lost. I shout ‘shoot’ and have got annoyed because we aren’t passing forwards. Does this make my opinion any less important than yours or the wiser posters? That’s down to personal preference. But that doesn’t mean it’s ok to be condescending to people’s views you don’t agree with or think are wrong.

Fair point Ricey and I'm not going to lie, I've become rather fed up in recent weeks of the total disrespect for a man who has done more than almost anyone to make sure there is a Southend United for us to support. It's made me a little tetchy and I agree this has come across in my posts recently. So I apologise, although in my opinion it is those posters who have been disrespecting our manager that are embarrassing.

I can accept people disagreeing with tactics, not liking the way we play and even advocating for a change of manager. That is their right and people's opinions are always going to differ. But on here and on social media I have seen too much that has been disrespectful and downright abusive, particularly comments like 'crab' which is totally unnecessary. I saw some clown on X who had changed his screen name to 'Maher Out' and used an avatar of a red cross over a photo of our manager. I have no idea what world these people live in at times.

I was trying to suggest that there were people who saw us take off a striker for a midfielder and would have instantly dismissed it as a negative substitution without considering what was being done in the context of the game. As I said, there were some comments around me to that end. Whereas others would have reserved a little bit of judgement to see what impact on the game the substitution had.

One of my pet hates is people who, on seeing a lineup announced at 2pm, go straight on social media to criticise the team selection. The manager will have picked his team for a reason, there will be all sorts of considerations that we as fans are not privy to that will influence a manager's thinking when naming a team. So I've never understood people who immediately jump in to criticise.

 

[Ricey]

Fair point Ricey and I'm not going to lie, I've become rather fed up in recent weeks of the total disrespect for a man who has done more than almost anyone to make sure there is a Southend United for us to support. It's made me a little tetchy and I agree this has come across in my posts recently. So I apologise, although in my opinion it is those posters who have been disrespecting our manager that are embarrassing.

I can accept people disagreeing with tactics, not liking the way we play and even advocating for a change of manager. That is their right and people's opinions are always going to differ. But on here and on social media I have seen too much that has been disrespectful and downright abusive, particularly comments like 'crab' which is totally unnecessary. I saw some clown on X who had changed his screen name to 'Maher Out' and used an avatar of a red cross over a photo of our manager. I have no idea what world these people live in at times.

I was trying to suggest that there were people who saw us take off a striker for a midfielder and would have instantly dismissed it as a negative substitution without considering what was being done in the context of the game. As I said, there were some comments around me to that end. Whereas others would have reserved a little bit of judgement to see what impact on the game the substitution had.

One of my pet hates is people who, on seeing a lineup announced at 2pm, go straight on social media to criticise the team selection. The manager will have picked his team for a reason, there will be all sorts of considerations that we as fans are not privy to that will influence a manager's thinking when naming a team. So I've never understood people who immediately jump in to criticise.

I’ve said this many times before this is not just a Southend United thing. It’s the unfortunate world we live in. You look at the majority of line up posts on X these days and I guarantee when a club isn’t doing as fans expect or the manager is under pressure there will be negative posts/digs.

The Goodliffe to us post on X from Colchester is a prime example. Lots of fans kicking off that he has left on loan, not just because he’s come to us. But because their fans think he’s their best CB. However, Danny Cowley obviously thinks differently and sees him in training and probably feels following his injury he needs a stint on loan to get back to business. Go again next season etc.

Football is a results driven game, loyalty works both ways. Players often leave at the first sniff of a pay rise or better opportunity. Same with managers (although not Southend managers in my time supporting, Barry Fry being the only one just before my time). You’ve only got to look at what happened with Chris Powell, an absolute legend and a downright standup guy who had awful injury problems with the team, was hounded out and then along came the start of the downfall for me.

Anyone who takes a job as manager of a football club should have a thick skin. It’s the hardest job in the world because if 11 players on the pitch can’t be arsed and play like **** it’s you that gets the stick! It’s even harder being a legend of the club, because when results aren’t going our way all that legendary status is forgotten. It’s why I am always cautious of going for ex players.

The Maher out posts and stuff on social media is the standard reaction these days. I have been vocal at points that I do think it’s time for a change, I do not think he will get us promoted. But would love nothing more than for Kev to pull things around and get us promoted. Knee jerk reaction is how some people react, you learn who those are and some post angry after the game and then calm down.

It’s a difficult situation when things aren’t going how you would want. I expect Tottenham and Manchester United fans are in absolute meltdown with their situations and we would kill to be in their place right now.

 

[Holy Joe]

.

Not everyone on here has done coaching badges, coached/played football. There are varying levels of experience. Some may have never kicked a ball in their life. That doesn’t make them any less of an expert, they

I'd have to disagree, having no experience or qualifications over someone that does have qualifications and practical experience definitely makes them less of an expert.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher said his change of system could have shocked Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

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Pleased - Southend United boss Kevin Maher (Image: Lucy Copsey)

By Chris PhillipsChief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher said his change of system could have shocked Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

Blues switched to a 3-4-3 formation for the 2-0 victory at Victoria Road.

And Maher was happy with how it went.

“Dagenham would have probably expected us to be our normal selves but we tweaked it a bit depending on where the ball is,” said Maher.

“We’re pleased it worked because the result was good but I still think we can be better at times.”

Goals from Macauley Bonne and Gus Scott-Morriss saw the Shrimpers pick up their fourth win in five games.

And Maher was pleased to give another large away following something to cheer.

“The support is incredible,” said the Blues boss.

“We’re disappointed with some results but we’re on a decent run.

“What you’ve got to remember is that everyone at this football club is pulling in the same direction and working hard.

“When the fans are with us and make that noise like they do it makes a huge difference to the players and myself.

“We’re trying, we’re working hard and we will add to the squad to make us stronger.

“We’ve got to keep on putting in performances like that to get as many points as we can.

 

[Ricey]

I'd have to disagree, having no experience or qualifications over someone that does have qualifications and practical experience definitely makes them less of an expert.

Probably poor wording from me there. My point was that their viewpoint is valid regardless of being an expert or not as people see things differently.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Southend United fans have their say on win at Dagenham & Redbridge​

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Great support - for Southend United at Dagenham & Redbridge (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)




SOUTHEND United fans have their say on Saturday's 2-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge.


Very good and much improved performance. Tactics worked with three up front working hard and getting the ball to them quicker. Really pleased for Bonne, deserved his goal and gave an excellent centre forward's performance. Need to stick with this approach and see where it takes us.

@Moorhouse79

• READ MORE: Maher explains addition of new loan defender

Morton starts and we win.

@iwilksie

Change of formation worked but to back up this win another win on Tuesday against Fylde.

@Simontimofish

Solid performance against a very poor side was much more organised today and was tidy on the ball . Let’s keep this up onto Tuesday's game.

@callumt84626973

On the front foot from the outset. I'm so pleased for Bonne, and it's great to see how much he means to his teammates. Hope Colin's injury is not as bad as it looked. Harness made a couple of good saves and had a good interaction with the crowd.

@lmorris_lee

A solid all round performance against a team who offered very little. Kendall set up Bonne superbly - he’s a star in the making. Let’s do it again on Tuesday.

@299Peter

What a contrast to last week, we bossed the whole game, the format was better and everybody played for the shirt today - let's keep momentum up.

@SheilaBlackery

Formation more attacking taking the game to a poor Daggers side. Harness made some crucial saves and Gus back on the score sheet too. But special praise to Bonne who has kept plugging away when the odds are stacked against him. On to Tuesday now. Play off and Wembley double.

@MatthewYeatts53

Great win and well deserved. Great to see us effectively playing three forwards for once which made for a much more attacking threat. Great to see Bonne net his first goal and let’s hope for many more now. . Defence solid again but hope Collin’s injury is not serious.

@tommyharris57

Much more like it. Kev got it spot on. Macca lead the line excellently. Can’t fault any of them today.

@ConorSammon100

Great win, very happy for Macca getting his goal at last and a good header from GSM. Onto Tuesday night with another must win game at home.

@callum_southend

Excellent performance but against a poor Daggers side. But you can only beat what’s in front of you. Tactics spot on and we looked much better going forward and moving the ball quicker. Need to follow it up with a win Tuesday now. Fans as always class.

@shrimperjon

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

DAGENHAM & Redbridge boss Lewis Young admitted Southend United fully deserved their 2-0 win on Saturday.

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Disappointed - Dagenham & Redbridge boss Lewis Young (Image: Lucy Copsey)

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter,

DAGENHAM & Redbridge boss Lewis Young admitted Southend United fully deserved their 2-0 win on Saturday.

Goals from Macauley Bonne and Gus Scott-Morriss secured Blues all three points at Victoria Road.

And Young was disappointed with the Daggers’ display.

“It wasn’t good enough,” Young told the club’s YouTube channel.

“We know the magnitude of the game and what it means to everyone around the place but I’m not happy and I’m not impressed by what I saw out there.

“I’ve told the players but I’ll keep reiterating the same message, we’re going to go through a bit of pain before we get to where we want to get to.

“The players kept going until the end and made their keeper make two really, really good saves but on the balance of it the better team won.”

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

A WEEK seems a long time in football.

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Good win - for Southend United (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

A WEEK seems a long time in football.

And it probably seems even longer at Southend United.

Just seven days on from suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Barnet, Blues were back on the front foot at Dagenham & Redbridge and fully deserved their 2-0 victory.

A pleasing performance meant there were positives all over the pitch and Kevin Maher signalled his intentions early on by starting with three up top.

Too much can often be made of systems and formations as several other aspects will often decide the outcomes of matches.

But on Saturday the switch to a 3-4-3 seemed significant as the Shrimpers gave their hosts little time to settle.

Blues hustled and harried hard and that was shown by the manner in which they broke the deadlock just before the break.

Dagenham certainly played a part in their own downfall by ambitiously and unsuccessfully trying to play it out from the back.

But the pressing of Josh Walker, followed by the composure of Charley Kendall led to Macauley Bonne firing home his first goal in a Shrimpers shirt.

The experienced forward had previously gone 24 games without scoring for Blues and it had been incredibly tough going for the former Ipswich Town front-runner.

Bonne had been subjected to stick from Shrimpers supporters at matches, even from fans in areas such as the directors box at home games.

That criticism has spilt over onto social media and made it even more difficult for the striker.

Those with weaker character or perhaps fewer goals and games behind them could have crumbled under such scrutiny and could easily have opted out of getting into the key areas of penalty area.

By playing it safe, you can avoid missing chances and have less to be criticised about.

However, Bonne has not done that.

On Saturday he had an earlier effort ruled for a harsh looking offside decision and could have been forgiven for thinking he was heading to another frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

But Bonne kept going and got his rewards on the stroke of half-time when firing home from close range.

The subsequent celebrations from the striker showed just how much it meant and also shared a slight insight into the tough times he endured before finally breaking his duck for the Shrimpers.

You simply cannot have a heart if you did not feel happy for the forward and the hope is now that it will kick-start his season.

Scoring goals has been an obvious issue for Blues this season, even before the departure of top scorer Bim Pepple earlier this month.

Creating chances has also proved problematic but the Shrimpers showed far more attacking intent at the weekend.

Blues got into more good areas higher up the pitch and were rewarded with a second goal – scored by Gus Scott-Morriss – just before the hour mark to make sure of a welcome win for Kevin Maher’s side.

The Shrimpers boss has endured a tough few days after also being subjected to criticism.

But the Blues head coach came through far worse as a player and again showed his character by making some brave calls.

A change of system, recalling Bonne and an early change at the start of the second half were all big decisions which proved to be correct.

However, while expecting to be criticised myself for this opinion, there does need to be a sensible middle ground surrounding the Shrimpers

The aftermath of last weekend’s defeat was somewhat toxic and saw all kinds of people given stick they did not deserve.

One defeat does not warrant such outbursts, just as Saturday’s win should not result in endless euphoria.

Yes, everyone would love to be higher than 14th in the standings but this is a club which has been through more drama than EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks all rolled into one in recent times.

Sustained progress was always going to take time but, results wise, things are certainly moving in the right direction once again

Cynics will of course point towards the lowly league places of the teams being beaten, but the fact remains the Shrimpers have now triumphed in four of their last five games.

Blues have also been beaten just twice in 11 games, with both setbacks coming against teams in the top three.

It is frustrating the Shrimpers are not at that level themselves just yet but there is plenty still to be done.

Another goalkeeper is needed, especially after Collin Andeng Ndi's injury on Saturday, along with another striker.

But, most of all, it is important to stick together.

I might be biased but Southend United is a special club with a unique spirit, galvanised through the tough times.

The support is simply incredible and that was shown again on Saturday.

Blues had more than 1,000 fans roaring them on in another sold out away end.

But it will take a continued united effort - on and off the pitch - to make Saturday’s scenes the sign of things to come and for this club to anywhere near being back in the Football League.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

NDI.............Assaulted
GOLDING... Rolls Royce
TAYLOR...... Destroyer
SCOTT-M.....Supremo
BRIDGE........Picasso
COKER.........Doodlebug
WALKER......Machine
BONNE........Relentless
KENDALL.....240V TO 12V
MORTON.....Edward Elgar
RALPH.........Alexander the Great

MAHER.......Chess master

Supporting cast..
HARNESS....Cat
HUSIN..........Gatekeeper
GOODLIFFE..Jailguard
FORSON.......Terrier
WALDRON....Footsoldier
SUFC FANS...Fervent

Notable others..
REF................Overcast
LINESPEOPLE..Blinded by the sun
DAGGERS FANS..Wispy
CHEESEBURGER..Flour bun
AWAY STAND EXIT.. Bog
FIRE MARSHALL...Impressive
TRAIN............Raucous

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Saturday was much more enjoyable day compared to much of the season. It was good to see a more positive attacking lineup against a team below us (just) in the table and a slightly different formation. We weren't world beaters but we were a hell of a better than we have been for most of the season. Still very open to giving the ball away needlessly and nearly shooting ourselves in the foot but ultimately a lot better. Credit to Maher for finally realising perhaps our style of play wasn't quite working, we'll see what approach we take Tuesday though. The first 65-70 mins I think we played pretty well and had plenty of attacks, albeit not a huge amount of chances. But after the second goal and after the subs started to come on we had a 5 minute period where we were hammering them with about 6 corners on the trot. After that things went a bit stale and that's my only 'very slight' complaint about the day. We stopped attacking, sat back and let Daggers try their luck. For the most they couldn't do anything, but I just didn't like that approach, it didn't seem the right thing to do when most things were going our way. They then started to have a few chances and had one of those gone in it would have made for a very nervy last few minutes. Now I'm all for managing a game out but I feel like we slipped back to old ways in those final minutes and against a better side we may have conceded. Harness had to pull off one really good save and then another from a decent chance too.

That being said, 3 points, great day out, Bonne played his best game for the club etc etc etc I'm glad Maher got a really needed win. Lets just try and play a bit more positive, I think this game proves it can work.

Just need to get Kendell a goal now, oh and Walker, and Waldron, and maybe the midfielders could score one every now and again.