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

[* ORM *]

When rhe euphoria about making the playoffs subsides perhaps some reality might creep in. The league table says it all, Barnet well deserved winners with York the pick of the rest and FGR in third way ahead of our playoff opponents Rochdale. Otherwise a thoroughly mediocre set of teams with little to distinguish one from another. To finish in the last playoff spot was owing as much to other contenders failing to hit a consistent run as it was to our own efforts. Were lucky to play Ebbsfleet and Wealdstone in the last two games before Gateshead.
It has to be admitted that the tactics employed to hold Gateshead to the goalless draw worked out well. However their dismal form over the past few weeks tells its own story and I am sure we won't find Rochdale so accommodating.
Our record of drawing as many games as we have won underlines the crucial lack of strike power, as does the fact that our top scorer is a wingback.
It's a one off game with all to play for, a very different scenario to the Gateshead game. This wil be a real test of the coaching for the game. Whilst not favouring a gungho approach, I hope we will not see a war of attrition rather than the 'free-flowing, attacking football' as mentioned in the recently published accounts. Time to see whether this management team and their chosen players really have what it takes. I hope they will grasp this opportunity to take another step towards the goal of returning to the EFL.

The only reality I see is your continued negativity. To be honest if Rochdale spank us we will still have done extraordinarily well this season. **** football was what we saw in the mid 80s with 2000 coming through the gates.

It doesn't matter if York finished 80 points in front of us. Whether Gateshead capitulated over the last couple of months matters not. The records state that we made the play offs. If this is as far as we get then so be it.

For the record I firmly believe we will turn Dale over.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

As above really. Anything now is a bonus, we’ve already done better than last season and the future is bright.

I remember all the comments about Kev not improving things and us stagnating in mid table, well .. that’s not happened. It doesn’t matter who we play you can still get freak results at the end of a season especially involving teams in danger of relegation (or even safe, with the pressure off). It’s been an up and down season but look, we’ve got a shot at getting out of this league and I’d have taken this last summer.

I’m sure the players will give their absolute all up at Rochdale, I know our amazing fans will.

 

[blues exile]

The only reality I see is your continued negativity. To be honest if Rochdale spank us we will still have done extraordinarily well this season. **** football was what we saw in the mid 80s with 2000 coming through the gates.

It doesn't matter if York finished 80 points in front of us. Whether Gateshead capitulated over the last couple of months matters not. The records state that we made the play offs. If this is as far as we get then so be it.

For the record I firmly believe we will turn Dale over.

You confuse negativity with realism. We haven't done 'extraordinarily well' this season having only just scraped into the playoffs at the last minute as other contenders fell away. Some of the football has been awful to watch, the tactics have been questionable as have decisions re subs etc. Having supported the club for more than 65 years this is our lowest ebb in every sense. Yes we were rubbish in the mid 60s and the early 80s to mention just two periods but we were football league rubbish not non league. I hope we do beat Rochdale and go on to triumph in a Wembley final but this is a big test for Maher and Co. I hope they rise to the challenge in a positive way and if we don't make it at least go out with a bang not a whimper. The recently posted accounts mention 'free-flowing attacking football'. Let's see some.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Don't know whether it's been mentioned before but I was so absorbed in the game to notice. Suddenly, a couple of minutes before the end Parillon was brought on and my immediate thought was, why wasn't he on earlier. Has anyone any idea why one of our most talented players only made a very late show?

The only issue I have is the subs are so predictable - we called all 4 of them in terms of who would be coming on, and for who, even before the game started!!

Personally, would have rather seen Parillon on for Coker, and been given a run down the middle, than Miley for Coker.

 

[Finney on the wing]

You confuse negativity with realism. We haven't done 'extraordinarily well' this season having only just scraped into the playoffs at the last minute as other contenders fell away. Some of the football has been awful to watch, the tactics have been questionable as have decisions re subs etc. Having supported the club for more than 65 years this is our lowest ebb in every sense. Yes we were rubbish in the mid 60s and the early 80s to mention just two periods but we were football league rubbish not non league. I hope we do beat Rochdale and go on to triumph in a Wembley final but this is a big test for Maher and Co. I hope they rise to the challenge in a positive way and if we don't make it at least go out with a bang not a whimper. The recently posted accounts mention 'free-flowing attacking football'. Let's see some.

I think you are the one who is confused

 

[Gremlin]

The only issue I have is the subs are so predictable - we called all 4 of them in terms of who would be coming on, and for who, even before the game started!!

Why is this a bad thing?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

When rhe euphoria about making the playoffs subsides perhaps some reality might creep in. The league table says it all, Barnet well deserved winners with York the pick of the rest and FGR in third way ahead of our playoff opponents Rochdale. Otherwise a thoroughly mediocre set of teams with little to distinguish one from another. To finish in the last playoff spot was owing as much to other contenders failing to hit a consistent run as it was to our own efforts. Were lucky to play Ebbsfleet and Wealdstone in the last two games before Gateshead.
It has to be admitted that the tactics employed to hold Gateshead to the goalless draw worked out well. However their dismal form over the past few weeks tells its own story and I am sure we won't find Rochdale so accommodating.
Our record of drawing as many games as we have won underlines the crucial lack of strike power, as does the fact that our top scorer is a wingback.
It's a one off game with all to play for, a very different scenario to the Gateshead game. This wil be a real test of the coaching for the game. Whilst not favouring a gungho approach, I hope we will not see a war of attrition rather than the 'free-flowing, attacking football' as mentioned in the recently published accounts. Time to see whether this management team and their chosen players really have what it takes. I hope they will grasp this opportunity to take another step towards the goal of returning to the EFL.

Why were we lucky to play Ebbsfleet and Wealdstone late in the season?

Usually points in the bag is considered advantageous.

 

[Magnum PI]

You confuse negativity with realism. We haven't done 'extraordinarily well' this season having only just scraped into the playoffs at the last minute as other contenders fell away. Some of the football has been awful to watch, the tactics have been questionable as have decisions re subs etc. Having supported the club for more than 65 years this is our lowest ebb in every sense. Yes we were rubbish in the mid 60s and the early 80s to mention just two periods but we were football league rubbish not non league. I hope we do beat Rochdale and go on to triumph in a Wembley final but this is a big test for Maher and Co. I hope they rise to the challenge in a positive way and if we don't make it at least go out with a bang not a whimper. The recently posted accounts mention 'free-flowing attacking football'. Let's see some.

I don’t see this post as negative. We have indeed had mitigations for our under performance at times this season but the home form has been poor, at times players have turned up when they wanted to. We haven’t played free flowing football due to being preoccupied with the other end and at times that hasn’t been that pretty. I think we all understand the limitations we work under and there is every chance we might get promoted in 7th place.. I’ve always said Maher is likely to be a better coach with better players and I’m sure we will strengthen this summer regardless of promotion.

This infatuation with polarisation on this forum though does my head in. Let people have their opinions and cut the sanctimony

 

[GBJ]

We haven't done 'extraordinarily well' this season having only just scraped into the playoffs at the last minute as other contenders fell away.

One of Gateshead’s reasons for falling apart in the second half of the season, was because they lost their management team and a few of their better players.

We lost two influential players at the start of the season, and then subsequently lost their replacements later in the season.

The main difference is, we kept our - brilliant - managerial team who were able to patch us up (again not once, but twice) and still successfully achieve a playoff place.

Having supported the club for more than 65 years this is our lowest ebb in every sense. Yes we were rubbish in the mid 60s and the early 80s to mention just two periods but we were football league rubbish not non league.

I’ve actually enjoyed the NL in the main. Real fans, ramshackle stadiums, a sense of community. Players who are relatable, likeable, and most importantly not mercenaries.

I’m not suggesting I’d like to stay in this division, but let’s be honest, a trip to Accrington Stanley on a Sunday evening, doesn’t exactly scream glamour.

 

[Cricko]

BBC Essex Sport - Justin Rees on making the play-offs - BBC Sounds

The Southend chairman hails players and staff for making the National League play-offs.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[RHB]

BBC Essex Sport - Justin Rees on making the play-offs - BBC Sounds

The Southend chairman hails players and staff for making the National League play-offs.

www.bbc.co.uk

Me and her listened to this and we both thought that the guy really cares about Southend Utd and is proud of the supporters in a way that the Rat never was. Long may it continue Justin, shame you won't be at Rochdale, but you can come back for the Veggies.

 

[Target man]

Me and her listened to this and we both thought that the guy really cares about Southend Utd and is proud of the supporters in a way that the Rat never was. Long may it continue Jason, shame you won't be at Rochdale, but you can come back for the Veggies.

He flew back to Aus yesterday. I'm sure he'll be at Wembley if we get there!

 

[Leeboy]

Jason?

 

[ms brush]

I had a brief chat with Justin before the game in the Fog on the Tyne. He was buzzing, and he asked me how I was feeling about the game (nervous but excited!). This is one very genuine, really lovely guy, who cares about the club and his newly adopted city. He can hold his drink as well, a talent that I have never mastered!

What I love about him and the rest of the guys from COSU is that there is no obvious ego, and all of them are genuinely interested and want us to do well on the pitch as well as built a sustainable future off the pitch.

 

[RHB]

Jason?

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I had a brief chat with Justin before the game in the Fog on the Tyne. He was buzzing, and he asked me how I was feeling about the game (nervous but excited!). This is one very genuine, really lovely guy, who cares about the club and his newly adopted city. He can hold his drink as well, a talent that I have never mastered!

What I love about him and the rest of the guys from COSU is that there is no obvious ego, and all of them are genuinely interested and want us to do well on the pitch as well as built a sustainable future off the pitch.

Absolutely love that he demolished a KFC and a Maccy D’s and seemed to have no memory of it .. I like the bloke.

 

[turkishm]

I'm nearly 80 both my back and knees are starting to fail me. But because I live in a village called New Biggin in Northumberland I went to the game at Gateshead. After supporting Blues since the Fiftees it was poss my last chance to se them live. 0 0 wasn't a great spectacle but enough to put us through. What I was impressed was the support that the team got. From the pub Fog On Tyne to the ground. With support like that how can you fail.

 

[Chrisb]

I had a brief chat with Justin before the game in the Fog on the Tyne. He was buzzing, and he asked me how I was feeling about the game (nervous but excited!). This is one very genuine, really lovely guy, who cares about the club and his newly adopted city. He can hold his drink as well, a talent that I have never mastered!

What I love about him and the rest of the guys from COSU is that there is no obvious ego, and all of them are genuinely interested and want us to do well on the pitch as well as built a sustainable future off the pitch.

We are very fortunate that these guys are looking after our club.

 

[Ipswhrimp]

Jason?

Hadn't you heard? Justin has brought Jason Donovan on board.

 

[Gremlin]

I'm nearly 80 both my back and knees are starting to fail me. But because I live in a village called New Biggin in Northumberland I went to the game at Gateshead. After supporting Blues since the Fiftees it was poss my last chance to se them live. 0 0 wasn't a great spectacle but enough to put us through. What I was impressed was the support that the team got. From the pub Fog On Tyne to the ground. With support like that how can you fail.

Great post. Happy for you that such a key fixture was taking place within striking distance of where you are now.