Post-Match Thread and Ratings Eastleigh 1-2 Southend United

[yogi bear up the cagire]

If I'm rushed off to the cardiac unit in the coming hours, Parillon and, to a lesser extent, Hopper are unfortunately to blame. From the pleasure, comfort and calm of the first period Parillon's error, which led to their goal, changed the whole complexion of the game and made it one of the most stressful second-halves I've had for years. Hopper should have made it three and thus given me a slightly calmer final few minutes. I'm trying not to allow that last forty-five blight a superb first-half, where we were supreme. The stress I felt was clearly down to just how important I considered this result and sadly for my poor old heart, our success makes it more likely it will be put under greater strain before this season is finished!

 

[nick12]

Listening on the radio and reading the match thread we seem to be developing a theme of playing well in the first half and loosing the plot in the 2nd, exactly what happened against Altrincham.

If we are serious play off contenders this has to be addressed, a couple of half time subs from the opposition shouldn't send us into backwards sideways defensive football, we need to keep attacking and have daylight to relax instead of terrified faces on the players and squeaky bums for the supporters week in week out.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Just got the bus back to the station, sat next to the fella in red on the bus, who we sang about and got thrown out

 

[overseas shrimper]

A lot of comments about how poor we were in the second half, but whilst I agree we weren't good (we tried to be the architects of our own downfall a few times), I don't think enough credit is being given to Eastleigh.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United moved to within a point of the National League play-offs after a 2-1 win at Eastleigh this afternoon.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Bratislava Blue]

Again, despite the 3 points, which based on the first half performance we deserved, Maher managed to introduce a style of play that just encouraged pressure.
A mistake from our new talented star and straight away he substitutes him and replaces him with a totally ineffective Bridge. How's that not going to influence his confidence? Surely he should've given him another 10 minutes. But no we change not just personel but shape and drop so deep.
Bridge is a liability coming off of the bench and brought nothing once on.
His post match interview already gave hints that he would change things up. We need to have the same attacking intent on Tuesday as we did in the first half. However, I think Maher will bring back Miley at the expense or KAF whose been great in these last few games. Miley was invisible for most of the 30 minutes he was on.
Boston will be hurting from today's defeat and a win for them keeps their hopes alive. It won't be easy and I'd be happy for a point. However we need 3 ahead of Saturdays game with Oldham.

 

[Thundersley Blue]

What an atmosphere that was and a great day out - you could clearly see the players fought til the end on that one. Pretty much all results went our way too so win Tuesday and we really have a chance.

Only complaint is that I think every single substitution today was wrong, Walker doesn’t have the hunger to replace Bonne, Bridge at the minute really doesn’t have the quality or confidence to replace Parillion and Miley is still getting back to match fitness. Goodliffe really didn’t have much time to make an impact. I think this made it so much harder for us and it will be Kev’s loyalty to players like Bridge and Miley instead of KAF and Kendall which will always be his downfall.

I’m thinking this really will go down to the final game.

Well I was only listening on the radio and to Glen Pennyfather. The only sub he questioned was Walker for Bonne, but suggested Bonne had taken a knock. Goodliffe wasn't put on to make an impact, but to do his best to ensure Eastleigh didn't score. Don't think there is any evidence that Kevin has misguided loyalty to certain players.

 

[maninasuitcase]

Barnet have just scored

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

With Gateshead losing today it’s back in our own hands but the players already looked injected with belief by the midweek results and went at Eastleigh from the start. The first 20 minutes were excellent. We barely let the opposition into our half. What was noticeable was the confidence that came with 8 matches unbeaten. All of a sudden there were first time passes a plenty, players running off the ball and all the little things that let the football flow. Of course an early lead only adds to the confidence.

The goal came inside the first 60 seconds. It probably won’t show on the highlights but credit to Bonne for keeping in a wayward ball - that led to the corner that Hopper then scored from. I was really pleased for Hopper to get that goal. He’s been in for undue criticism, people suggesting he’s dropped etc, when he’s been one of the main catalysts behind the upturn in form. Since he’s arrived we’ve scored at least two goals in eight of our 11 league matches. He is integral to our identity as a team who defends from the front and attacks from the back. He does the hard work, he closes down, he competes for headers, he tidies up possession, he defends set pieces. He won’t be a regular scorer at this stage of his career but today was a story of the three players we’ve been missing for most of the season. Leading the line he was one of the three, playing the Cardwell role.

At the other end Golding was another whose introduction helped put the team back on track. His ability on the ball instigates attacks. He changes the angle to open up passing lanes and gets us moving. It took a while for us to replace Kensdale and with him to only being on loan this position remains key for the summer.

The third of the trio was Parillon. Leon did superbly for our second goal for Gus Scott-Morriss, or Gus Scott-Morriss again as he must by now be named. He replicates the fast footwork and the ability to wriggle free in the tightest of spaces of Wes Fonguck, the third of the players we struggled to replace. In truth Parillon was poor today. He gave the ball away unnecessarily several times, most notably for their goal. It was the third time in 10 minutes he’d surrendered possession. He was subbed off soon afterwards but probably should have been taken off before that. It’s a tricky balancing act with him to keep him trying things but to cut down the silly mistakes. These mistakes were more lack of concentration than attempting anything audacious. They looked tired errors as much as anything.

That we were holding on at the end was more down to missing our chances. Hopper had one bounce agonisingly wide late on after he had done well to hold the defender off. Had he a bit more pace to him these days it’d probably have been a goal but the real misses were from Bonne who conspired to miss twice from six yards out again. This was particularly disappointing as he should be high on confidence having scored twice in the last two and that it would have capped off his support play.

It was telling that several players were on the deck at the whistle - Gubbins, Noor, Hopper. They left it all out there today. Gubbins and Noor are a little short of match practice and we’ll need to keep an eye on them for Tuesday. Gubbins had a decent game. I never had him down as a left-back but he has a nice line in balls clipped down the wing. His width was important in keeping us balanced.

All in all this was an excellent away win. We’re now 9 unbeaten including 3 wins against teams competing for the playoffs.
This was Maher’s proof of concept. He’s shown again that if we give him time he can assemble a side and improve them. He unexpectedly lost the spine of his team and half this side joined during the season yet that’s now the third playoff contender we’ve disposed of in a month.

With a deeper squad and the ability to bring on the experience of Bridge and Miley to help see it out we look better equipped to challenge. Whether we will succeed I don’t know but I do know teams won’t want to face us right now.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

Just love getting home an hour after the match.

Anyway, the key question:

Such an impressive first half but Eastleigh's subs at half time changed the game. Quigley and Maguire both looked a cut above those they replaced; why didn't they start the game?

Lady Luck was with us for once but I think that we (just) deserved to win. And with Rochdale, Gateshead and Halifax dropping points the table looks better still.

It would be helpful if Barnet beat Alty tonight.

How did the cat get on at the vet?

 

[bazzashrimper]

Watched on the tv. Great first half, but nervy after Eastleigh scored.

Leon was the right sub. Bridge played a bit deeper and held the ball really well I thought. He was much more involved than Leon, although Leon did show some real class in setting up the second goal, and a chance for hopper just before.

Walker for Bonne was the wrong sub, but just because I would have brought Kendall on instead.

And Miley did what Miley does. He broke up play 5 or 6 times and played it easy. So all in all - I thought the subs were ok.

Anyway. Big picture is that if Barnet beat Altrincham, with the game in hand and match vs Gateshead, it’s in our own hands.

 

[rigsby]

Listening on the radio and reading the match thread we seem to be developing a theme of playing well in the first half and loosing the plot in the 2nd, exactly what happened against Altrincham.

If we are serious play off contenders this has to be addressed, a couple of half time subs from the opposition shouldn't send us into backwards sideways defensive football, we need to keep attacking and have daylight to relax instead of terrified faces on the players and squeaky bums for the supporters week in week out.

We beat Eastleigh and Altrincham, who are rivals for a play off spot…..Not the best two examples as to why we won’t make the top 7

 

[Blue Yonder]

Terrific and commanding first half performance where we looked a cut above Eastleigh. Don't agree that the goal against changed the tone. That happened from the first minute of the second half and has to go down to whatever went on at half time in our changing room not just theirs. The second half didn't have to be like that. Great result though. Phew !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RHB]

Seems that despite the fact that we won away at Eastleigh, a close rival, Mr Maher definitely got it wrong according to some. No matter what you do d Kev, good or bad, some are not going to ease off on the criticism. It's their opinion, so ok, but maybe some credit where it's due as well?

 

[Barry.C]

I was actually surprised how poor Eastleigh were and we made that llok that much worse with a fantastic first half, where they could barely touch the ball

Gus being on hand from a great ball from Parillon to what I thought was to comfortably wrap it up

Noor had a pretty aninymous game and steadily got worse `losing the ball and leading to their goal. Parillon not his best game as left winger so to speak and not heavily involved, looked a bit leggy compared to past efforts and also lost the ball easily on his few forward drives/ Looks like hes been couched to be a bit more defensive?

Bridge was poor Golding fell over and gave the ball away second half. Walker doesnt seem with it at all

What is up with Kendall?

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Pay Gus whatever he wants to stay.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Nothing to add to @Yorkshire Blue 's excellent summing up of the game and I echo @yogi bear up the cagire 's comments about the effect on my ticker!

One other thought - I think we dodged a bullet with Paul MacCallum - he was so hopeless in the first half that his manager hooked him off at half time!

 

[Simon Templar]

Definitely a game of two half’s! The first we looked composed and in control. Eastleigh didn’t look luck much to be fair.
The second, they upped their game and we had to do all the chasing. Still, grinding out a win away is always a positive, especially at this stage of the season. A massive three points, and the dream is still alive. Gus is a superstar! UTB

 

[Bratislava Blue]

Seems that despite the fact that we won away at Eastleigh, a close rival, Mr Maher definitely got it wrong according to some. No matter what you do d Kev, good or bad, some are not going to ease off on the criticism. It's their opinion, so ok, but maybe some credit where it's due as well?

There were players that performed well today. However it isn't just about the performance or the players. Maher has to contribute also and his lack of tactical nous again nearly cost us 2 points.

 

[Chrisb]

Seems that despite the fact that we won away at Eastleigh, a close rival, Mr Maher definitely got it wrong according to some. No matter what you do d Kev, good or bad, some are not going to ease off on the criticism. It's their opinion, so ok, but maybe some credit where it's due as well?

They will mainly be absent today but imo that is a bit of welcomed relief so the rest of us can enjoy today's win.