Post-Match Thread and Ratings Gateshead 0-0 Southend United

[* ORM *]

Steak pie 9
Chips 10 (proper chips)
baked beans 6

'Fresh' Peterboro services

Not much else happened today

 

[Leeboy]

Steak pie 9
Chips 10 (proper chips)
baked beans 6

'Fresh' Peterboro services

Not much else happened today

nice pic of you with Some Australian Chap (TM Ron Martin)

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Yeah agreed, Hopper has put a shift in for the team the last few weeks. Don’t understand why there’s so many having a dig at him. Defenders don’t like facing him - trust me.

This x100.

Our results have jumped since he joined us and it’s not coincidence.

Anyway really proud of all the squad out there and felt quite emotional at the whistle. After all they’ve been through, after all we’ve been through - this was vindication.

Not many would have picked us for the playoffs in October after we had the spine of our team ripped out and had to rebuild on the fly; some doubted us even in February, some even later than that but we did it.

Enjoy the beers, enjoy the spirits. We’re playing with house money against Rochdale.

Sea-sea-sea-siders

 

[bazzashrimper]

Hayes 7. Great catch at the end
Gus 7
Taylor 9
Goodliffe 7 (should have scored)
Ralph 7
Bridge 8
Husin 7
Coker 6
Kaf 7
Hopper 7
Kendall 7 (poor decision making, but ran and got into good positions)

Subs
Bonne 6
Walker 7
Leon 7
Miley 7

 

[Suomi Shrimper]

Thought we'd be comfortable today if we could score first, but that if we conceded it would be one of those all-too-familiar games where we struggled to break down a side defending deep. Plenty of attacking intent to try and get that early settler but it wasn't to be.

After that initial spell of sustained pressure, we seemed to settle into a 'don't give em a sniff' strategy. Lots of hoofing it clear instead of risking a touch in the box to try and find a counter-attacking pass. Not especially attractive football, but it requires discipline and concentration, which the players displayed throughout (save perhaps one nervy moment each from Noor and Bridge).

Of course, if Gateshead had nicked one in the final minutes we'd all be wondering why we didn't keep the pressure up and focus on creating that effective two-goal cushion. Instead, we got treated to a showpiece (if not quite a masterclass) of defensive organisation and game management.

When they finally made their 'Nouble or never' attacking changes midway through the second half, the Heed were largely limited to passing it sideways about 30 yards out, and their forwards could only get the ball with their backs to goal.

As has been said often on SZ this season, you won't make the playoffs playing like that.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

And say "nae bother" every now & again ............

Along with 'pet' and 'why aye!'

 

[Rob Noxious]

Thought we played well first half, pretty poor second half… but that doesn’t matter now - into the lottery of the playoffs.

We’ll need to up our game for the next one - would like to see a couple of changes. Particularly Bonne in for Hopper - he looked a lot better when he came on.

I thought we defended very well.

 

[rlb999]

Appreciate that today was just about getting the result which we did. But again we were completely unconvincing, don’t create chances, and towards the end of the game when we are breaking three on two we go for the corner flag rather than the goal. Some of our tactics were again weird - towards the end of the game we had Miley and Husin both sat in front of the defence but with Miley to the right of Husin. We should be thankful that Gatehead were awful.

Probably not the day for a post like this, but at least my position on how this team is managed is consistent, rather than only complaining after a defeat.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Watched it on DAZN and I thought we did a professional, disciplined job. We were the better team in the first half and looked more likely to score, in the second half we gradually sat back more and more and allowed Gateshead more possession but they never really looked like scoring. Don't think Hayes had a proper save to make and we still had a few good openings on the counter. Ran down the clock well at the end. We need to significantly upgrade our front line if we want to be playing in League Two, though.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

But again we were completely unconvincing, don’t create chances, and towards the end of the game when we are breaking three on two we go for the corner flag rather than the goal.

Isn't that exactly the correct thing to do ? The last thing you want to do is let their keeper have the opportunity to save a shot then launch the ball towards their strikers. Great game management in my book

 

[thenobster]

We didn’t win 4-0.. Maher out :)

 

[Goodwin]

Forgive me if it's already been mentioned, but what was the Roots Hall match screening like, a success?

the screening was fine but thought needs to be given to how to manage multiple queues -two for the toilets and one for bar,one for food as the corridors were rammed .

 

[thenobster]

What was the attendance at RH?

 

[Goodwin]

What was the attendance at RH?

I believe it was 1214

 

[Target man]

I believe it was 1214

None for the visitors don't forget ...

 

[Pak Power]

 

[Pak Power]

 

[WhiteNoise]

There was a moment where KAF and Gus were breaking forward and the attack broke down and Gateshead came forward. It was Hopper who had dropped back into RB to cover.

I thought our bench and strength of squad made a real difference today. Gateshead were very nervy in the first half, but gradually found some joy in playing passes through the middle, especially when we tried to press them a bit. A midfield of Coker, Husin and KAF is always going to leave some gaps and they did a good job of exposing us. Fortunately our defence continued to be rock solid and Hayes was rarely troubled. We defended our box well and Hopper, Macca and Walker all helped out when defending corners.

Miley added a bit of composure, and I thought Macca was lively and professional at helping to see the game out.

Everyone else was pretty solid, and we are going to be a tough match for anyone in the playoffs.

I thought the ref could have got a yellow out for them sooner as they did chop us down a few times in the middle when we were looking to break forward. Otherwise he let the game flow and didn't get anything massively wrong. The pitch did seem a bit lumpy - definitely not a great surface to play on.

 

[Pak Power]

 

[Target man]

There was a moment where KAF and Gus were breaking forward and the attack broke down and Gateshead came forward. It was Hopper who had dropped back into RB to cover.

I thought our bench and strength of squad made a real difference today. Gateshead were very nervy in the first half, but gradually found some joy in playing passes through the middle, especially when we tried to press them a bit. A midfield of Coker, Husin and KAF is always going to leave some gaps and they did a good job of exposing us. Fortunately our defence continued to be rock solid and Hayes was rarely troubled. We defended our box well and Hopper, Macca and Walker all helped out when defending corners.

Miley added a bit of composure, and I thought Macca was lively and professional at helping to see the game out.

Everyone else was pretty solid, and we are going to be a tough match for anyone in the playoffs.

I thought the ref could have got a yellow out for them sooner as they did chop us down a few times in the middle when we were looking to break forward. Otherwise he let the game flow and didn't get anything massively wrong. The pitch did seem a bit lumpy - definitely not a great surface to play on.

Great assessment