Is our season effectively ended already?

[Liam AAS]

No, it tells the full story of where we are now having played all of the teams on the league whilst sitting in 14th position.

Anything now is just a guess, including my own prediction but its based on what I have watched so far this season as a season ticket holder, but one who tells it how it is.

But that isn't the FULL story is it? It's half, because we have to play them all again.

Is the table the full story after 1 game? Why is it the full story after 25?

I'm sorry if this comes across as pedantry, I'm not trying to be. The first half of the season HAS been disappointing, but we are still not out of it. Like being 1-0 down at HT?

 

[edwardss2]

You've got to believe it is possible. As long as it is not mathematically impossible it can be done. Once you are in the play-offs it is a lottery - a lucky deflection can be enough.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

But that isn't the FULL story is it? It's half, because we have to play them all again.

Is the table the full story after 1 game? Why is it the full story after 25?

I'm sorry if this comes across as pedantry, I'm not trying to be. The first half of the season HAS been disappointing, but we are still not out of it. Like being 1-0 down at HT?

FACT= something that has happened and OPINION = something we believe is going to happen based on however that person chooses their prediction.

The FACTS are that after 25 games we are the 14th best team in the division which thus far, tells the full story of us as a team and how good we are compared to the others.

You can choose to take my statement how you wish and spin to to your narrative, probably due to the me having an different opinion to yours but this is how I see us, and our performance as a team which quite rightly puts us in the bottom half.

Are we suddenly going to start being direct with our football rather then sideways and produce a strong attacking midfielder out of nowhere?. Based on our tactics and seemingly stubborn management who for some reason still plays the likes of Husin and Bridge, when they have been pretty poor I just cannot see us be anywhere near the play offs.

If we lose Pepple then we really are fooked, because with the Shrimperzone so called "statement signings" like Walker up top with the others I cannot see us posing any real attacking threat whatsoever.

 

[Jai]

FACT= something that has happened and OPINION = something we believe is going to happen based on however that person chooses their prediction.

The FACTS are that after 25 games we are the 14th best team in the division which thus far, tells the full story of us as a team and how good we are compared to the others.

You can choose to take my statement how you wish and spin to to your narrative, probably due to the me having an different opinion to yours but this is how I see us, and our performance as a team which quite rightly puts us in the bottom half.

Are we suddenly going to start being direct with our football rather then sideways and produce a strong attacking midfielder out of nowhere?. Based on our tactics and seemingly stubborn management who for some reason still plays the likes of Husin and Bridge, when they have been pretty poor I just cannot see us be anywhere near the play offs.

If we lose Pepple then we really are fooked, because with the Shrimperzone so called "statement signings" like Walker up top with the others I cannot see us posing any real attacking threat whatsoever.

We were pretty direct on Wednesday. It clearly didn't really work and we surrendered far too much possession particularly in the second half.

 

[Tommy2holes]

I love Maher as a southend legend.

I'm not sure he has what it takes to build a team to challenge

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

We were pretty direct on Wednesday. It clearly didn't really work and we surrendered far too much possession particularly in the second half.

But we got 3 points, and could easily been 3-4 -0 up at HT or was you watching a different game to me?.

Would you prefer we lose at York 4/0 and continue to play sideways?.

 

[rigsby]

14th so far has been a total disappointment for all of us. The reasons and opinions why this has happened has been covered by thousands of posts on hundreds of threads.

The real question should be who thinks we will finish the season higher than 14th. I do........And if you do then the season is certainly not over.

 

[Stuart W]

We were pretty direct on Wednesday. It clearly didn't really work and we surrendered far too much possession particularly in the second half.

It certainly didn’t work when Maher firstly took both in form strikers off at the same time, and then when Walker was injured, brought on a defender. The surrendering of possession was due to KM deciding we would hold on to what we have and play incredibly deep; absolutely nothing to do with playing direct.

 

[Jai]

But we got 3 points, and could easily been 3-4 -0 up at HT or was you watching a different game to me?.

Would you prefer we lose at York 4/0 and continue to play sideways?.

No, I'd prefer we win games doing what is necessary. But a lot of people are complaining that Wednesday wasn't entertaining or convincing enough. I don't agree with that by the way - you should never complain about an away win. We are at our best though when we control possession of the ball. This season, we haven't been good enough at doing that and as a result confidence suffers and you do end up getting the sideways passing that frustrates us. No issue with us going direct on Wednesday as the pitch was poor but I don't think it suits us and it did make for a scrappy game.

If it hadn't been for a centre half losing his man on three occasions, we were very much in the game at York and could actually have had at least a couple goals - we had more clear cut chances in that game than we did on Wednesday, although I feel York deserved their win on balance - no shame in that, they're a good side on the crest of a wave who have spent an awful lot of money. Jack Bridge scores that half volley 12 yards out a minute before their opener and it's a different game of course, fine margins in football.

You have to be able to adapt to different circumstances and fortunately we have a management team that can do that hence why we are now picking up good form after a disappointing start.

 

[Jai]

It certainly didn’t work when Maher firstly took both in form strikers off at the same time, and then when Walker was injured, brought on a defender. The surrendering of possession was due to KM deciding we would hold on to what we have and play incredibly deep; absolutely nothing to do with playing direct.

We weren't defending deep on purpose. Walker's injury was extremely unfortunate, it meant we couldn't press as effectively and Maher knew this would be the case with Bridge and Bonne in attack. We would be expected to face an increasing number of high balls as the game wore on because Braintree are not a passing side but, being a goal down, could afford to push men forward and you can't leave those men.

Had Walker not been crocked it would have been a more comfortable ending. Fortunately some good defending saw the game out.

Personally, I agree we shouldn't have taken Kendall off, but it's easy to say that when his replacement only lasted 7 minutes. The substitution bringing on Gubbins made sense - we didn't have any other strikers to bring on, so Bridge was the closest thing we have to one and bringing on Gubbins enabled us to move Ralph to left wing back and put Bridge further forward. So the implication that it was a negative substitution is, IMO, a little unfair.

 

[Callum]

Southend never give up ready for the fight till end of season

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

No, I'd prefer we win games doing what is necessary. But a lot of people are complaining that Wednesday wasn't entertaining or convincing enough. I don't agree with that by the way - you should never complain about an away win. We are at our best though when we control possession of the ball. This season, we haven't been good enough at doing that and as a result confidence suffers and you do end up getting the sideways passing that frustrates us. No issue with us going direct on Wednesday as the pitch was poor but I don't think it suits us and it did make for a scrappy game.

If it hadn't been for a centre half losing his man on three occasions, we were very much in the game at York and could actually have had at least a couple goals - we had more clear cut chances in that game than we did on Wednesday, although I feel York deserved their win on balance - no shame in that, they're a good side on the crest of a wave who have spent an awful lot of money. Jack Bridge scores that half volley 12 yards out a minute before their opener and it's a different game of course, fine margins in football.

You have to be able to adapt to different circumstances and fortunately we have a management team that can do that hence why we are now picking up good form after a disappointing start.

But we can look at many games with "ifs and buts" but the bottom line is our defender did lose his man on 3 occasions and theirs did not and that is of course the difference.

I am all about the results and thought the win at Braintree was a decent performance given the circumstances and of course the ONLY important thing which is 3 points on the board not "IF only Pebble had shot first time".

In the first half we were much more direct than most of the other games this season and that for me helped the team including Colin who's kicking and overall judgement seemed miles better than when we were p1ssing about with it at back.

 

[CaptainSmudger]

We have been on long unbeaten runs, staring in January a couple of times.
I believe we will keep this run going now and will get that 7th place.
The addition of Kendall and Golding has made a massive difference. COYB,UTB

PS Please give Waldron a decent go as well, we don’t know just how good he can be. He needs the right support from Kev and Co.

 

[Jai]

But we can look at many games with "ifs and buts" but the bottom line is our defender did lose his man on 3 occasions and theirs did not and that is of course the difference.

I am all about the results and thought the win at Braintree was a decent performance given the circumstances and of course the ONLY important thing which is 3 points on the board not "IF only Pebble had shot first time".

In the first half we were much more direct than most of the other games this season and that for me helped the team including Colin who's kicking and overall judgement seemed miles better than when we were p1ssing about with it at back.

The passing around the back draws the opposition out which if done properly opens up space further up the field. Maher doesn't really trust Collin to do it though hence we aren't really doing it anymore which has impaired our control of games.

Agreed when it goes wrong it looks awful though. To do it you well you really have to have a lot more confidence than we do at the moment.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

I truly believe Waldron can be a star striker here, he looked physically stronger to me when he had a sub appearance before injury. Lads that score a lot of goals like he did, dont suddenly forget how to, they always take up the right positions for the Linekar esque tap ins and always look to roll off defenders shoulders for a shot at range.
I'd love to see Danny and Charley upfront today against Southport.

 

[Cricko]

I truly believe Waldron can be a star striker here, he looked physically stronger to me when he had a sub appearance before injury. Lads that score a lot of goals like he did, dont suddenly forget how to, they always take up the right positions for the Linekar esque tap ins and always look to roll off defenders shoulders for a shot at range.
I'd love to see Danny and Charley upfront today against Southport.

Bit early to be hitting the Malibu and Cherry Aid.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

The passing around the back draws the opposition out which if done properly opens up space further up the field. Maher doesn't really trust Collin to do it though hence we aren't really doing it anymore which has impaired our control of games.

Agreed when it goes wrong it looks awful though. To do it you well you really have to have a lot more confidence than we do at the moment.

Bit early to be hitting the Malibu and Cherry Aid.

I think these players are kidding themselves and us if they think they are good enough to play it out from the back and that goes for most sides outside of the premier league who see Pep's side do it and foolishly believe they can mirror that kind of football. It's more about skill than confidence.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

In one word NO

Still loads of games to play and points up for grabs
As I write this we are still in the Trophy
For the team to progress we need to strengthen keep the likes of Bim and Golding and let's see where that takes us

 

[RHB]

Nope! breathe, repeat and relax.

 

[glenmaster]

Mathematically playoffs are still possible of course, but probability is unlikely. If you assume you need about 72 points for the playoffs then we would have to average just over 1.85 points per game from our remaining 21 games. That's pretty much title winning form from now until the end of season! Given that we have only averaged 1.32 points from 25 games so far, and we've not shown any title winning form this season. The chances of us making the playoffs is small.