Post-Match Thread and Ratings Maidenhead United 1-0 Southend United

[Blue Yonder]

A couple of times one of their lads knocked it past Gus then had the speed to breeze by him like he didn't exist. We didn't have anyone that can go past a man so they stop and pass sideways or backwards. At one point in the first half our new central striker found himself 30 metres out but 10 metres behind the Maidenhead defence. Even then he didn't have the pace or confidence to attack the goal but stopped and passed it sideways. If no other option existed Maidenhead were able to knock it into space and more often than not they had a man who could get there first. Sideways and backwards is as much to do with our lack of pace as tactics or mindset and that's recruitment. We've tried umpteen forward and midfield combinations with the same result because they're combinations of the same thing. We're adding players left right and centre who add nothing new. A couple of 'greyhounds' with some basic football skills might help.

 

[Stubb]

A couple of times one of their lads knocked it past Gus then had the speed to breeze by him like he didn't exist. We didn't have anyone that can go past a man so they stop and pass sideways or backwards. At one point in the first half our new central striker found himself 30 metres out but 10 metres behind the Maidenhead defence. Even then he didn't have the pace or confidence to attack the goal but stopped and passed it sideways. If no other option existed Maidenhead were able to knock it into space and more often than not they had a man who could get there first. Sideways and backwards is as much to do with our lack of pace as tactics or mindset and that's recruitment. We've tried umpteen forward and midfield combinations with the same result because they're combinations of the same thing. We're adding players left right and centre who add nothing new. A couple of 'greyhounds' with some basic football skills might help.

Sounds like we need Derek Woodley back!

 

[Maroon Blue]

Another demoralising damaging defeat against on paper inferior opposition. Lost for words now, something drastically wrong. We started okay and in command but as usual failed to trouble the keeper. Once Maidenhead realised we were as weak as you like they rolled right over us. Shawn McCoulsky showed glimpses of Bim, running at us with pace and power and getting shots on target. Oh how we miss that. Nick Hayes had a fair bit to do as unlike us Maidenhead were able to get shots on target. Their ****house of a keeper ****ed up our legs all day with taking at least a minute on every goal kick/free kick. Predictably the ref let him get away with it until the 89th minute, when he was finally booked. Then to see the clown jumping around like they had won the cup at the end really grated further. Thanks KM this is on you, Maidenhead have done the double on us without conceding.

Hayes 7.5 MOTM
Taylor 4.5
Golding 5
Goodliffe 4.5
GSM 4
Coker 3
Morton 6
Husin 4
Ralph 4
Walker 5
Hopper 5

Bonne 4
Kendall 4.5
LCP 4.5
KAF 3.5

Nick Hayes obvious MOTM only player who can walk away having given 100% effort. As to what next, if you continually bring in new instruments to an orchestra and still get the same lame tune, it must be the conductor who is at fault and needs changing. I am now in the KM must go camp. It will only get worse without a drastic rethink, we have Halifax at the Hall Tuesday, their away record, played 15, won 8 and lost only 2, nailed on defeat. Dark days UTB

 

[RobB11]

Maher said, over the 2 latest games, 35 attempts on goal ------ no goals , that is disgraceful.

He’s a liar.

 

[CanveyKarl]

Did we really lose there? to that? Lets all remember the past but stop living in it because its run its course under Maher here

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

Maher trying to shoehorn players into his crab ball football that probably want to play more attack minded football. But, stubborn Maher will not change, my way and If you do have a bit of flair play I`ll put you on the bench. Who is going to have the gonads to have a word with him, over to you COSU.

How many of you are getting very annoyed with Mahers`s post match interviews. I also think that some serious questions need to be angled at him, it all feels as if they have a chat before to say I won`t be too hard on you before you get defensive and angry.

He has got to go for the good of Southend United FC, that remains a constant, along with the fans, managers and coaches come and go.

 

[Shrimper]

Maher trying to shoehorn players into his crab ball football that probably want to play more attack minded football. But, stubborn Maher will not change, my way and If you do have a bit of flair play I`ll put you on the bench. Who is going to have the gonads to have a word with him, over to you COSU.

How many of you are getting very annoyed with Mahers`s post match interviews. I also think that some serious questions need to be angled at him, it all feels as if they have a chat before to say I won`t be too hard on you before you get defensive and angry.

He has got to go for the good of Southend United FC, that remains a constant, along with the fans, managers and coaches come and go.

Yet some continually tell us that this is not how Maher wants us to play or tells them how to play. The reality is this is all down to him

 

[Wingnut]

Since we have been in this league we constantly struggled to break down these teams who sit behind the ball stop the game at every opportunity
Faking injury etc Wealdstone do it Maidenhead do it the list goes on ,

 

[Liam AAS]

I don't understand why he's using this as a positive either. Clutching at straws.

Because it gives an indication that the team is capable of creating chances, but not finishing them.

 

[Ricey]

Maher trying to shoehorn players into his crab ball football that probably want to play more attack minded football. But, stubborn Maher will not change, my way and If you do have a bit of flair play I`ll put you on the bench. Who is going to have the gonads to have a word with him, over to you COSU.

How many of you are getting very annoyed with Mahers`s post match interviews. I also think that some serious questions need to be angled at him, it all feels as if they have a chat before to say I won`t be too hard on you before you get defensive and angry.

He has got to go for the good of Southend United FC, that remains a constant, along with the fans, managers and coaches come and go.

I said it earlier his post match interviews are making him a really unlikeable manager. We’ve had managers over the years that take a loss on the chin, whereas it’s everyone or everything fault other than him.

The digging out of fans is enough to sack him alone. Jesus could you imagine if Brown, Molesley or Bond digged out the fans there would be absolute uproar!

Maher has credit in the bank for sticking around during the awful times, for managing to keep the players whilst being late/unpaid. But that doesn’t mean he is exempt from criticism because of that credit earned.

I’m intrigued to know what the players attitude towards him, if his attitude on the touchline is anything like what he is like with the players I could imagine that wears thin.

I think some people are quite harsh on the players we have. I feel these are a decent bunch of players who could muster together for a play off push, I just don’t feel that will happen under Maher.

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

Yet some continually tell us that this is not how Maher wants us to play or tells them how to play. The reality is this is all down to him

That’s because it’s not how Maher wants the team to play. To suggest he wants the team to take the easy option and pass sideways or backwards ignores how we’ve played when we have executed in the way the coaching staff have wanted us to, which admittedly has been in short supply this season but can be evidenced in the home game against Eastleigh, or the away games at Solihull and Halifax.

We still lack key components in the squad that Maher hasn’t been able to replace (yet). Kensdale has been partially replaced by the loan acquisition of Golding, so we have someone capable of breaking the lines between defence and midfield, but we lack that further forward. I thought there were a few signs that Chambers-Parilon might be capable of that in midfield, but it’s a limited sample size and I don’t particularly want to heap lots of pressure on him to do it all, but we need more.

We miss Bridge massively when he’s not available. Whenever the ball went wide to Ralph or GSM from the centre-backs yesterday, they looked back inside because they don’t have the pace to get around their opponents and that slowed the build-up. What you then require are confident midfield players so you let the ball do the work, but Husin hasn’t been that this season and Morton prefers a quarterback style in a deep-lying role.

Unfortunately there aren’t any other options to play left wing-back when Bridge doesn’t and the suggestion as I’ve seen of playing a right-footer in GSM or Wind in that position would likely lead to the same issues. That’s before you get to the lack of output from the forwards.

I thought Maher did try something slightly different at Maidenhead in that Coker was more advanced on the right, almost as the right-sided attacker in a three rather than in the number 10 role behind the forwards. He took up some good positions but his first touch was uncharacteristically poor and that meant a number of attacks broke down as we lost possession, but it also meant we lost his influence pushing forward from midfield and aiding GSM on the right-hand side.

We’re addressing issues that are a legacy of previous ownership, but it’s simply going to take time, alongside a natural transition and turnover of players, with the likes of Morton and Coker potentially being the long-term replacements for Husin and Miley.

We’ve brought in Kendall to aid a high press from the top of the pitch, Golding to replicate Kensdale’s comfort in possession bringing the ball out of defence (albeit on loan so far) and Chambers-Parilon may transpire to be a long-awaited upgrade on Fonguck. Pepple was making a decent fist of leading the line in place of Cardwell before he was recalled, so it’s back to the drawing board there.

I just think it’s going to take time and we’re waiting for Maher to locate the right formula in terms of personnel with the new faces around the squad and we’re going to need to exercise some more patience. The last two performances have clearly not been good enough, but the manner and style in which we’ve played isn’t the way Maher and the other coaches want us to express ourselves.

 

[hlane17]

Because it gives an indication that the team is capable of creating chances, but not finishing them.

I suppose, but I see football as more of a black and white game, missing chances is not a positive.

I'd be happier if we had lower xG overall but could actually hit a barn door.

You can get a high xG by an accumulation of low-probability chances, which I'd suggest is more probable with our inability to carve teams open.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

Kendall was an 86th minute sub.

 

[Blue Yonder]

That’s because it’s not how Maher wants the team to play. To suggest he wants the team to take the easy option and pass sideways or backwards ignores how we’ve played when we have executed in the way the coaching staff have wanted us to, which admittedly has been in short supply this season but can be evidenced in the home game against Eastleigh, or the away games at Solihull and Halifax.

We still lack key components in the squad that Maher hasn’t been able to replace (yet). Kensdale has been partially replaced by the loan acquisition of Golding, so we have someone capable of breaking the lines between defence and midfield, but we lack that further forward. I thought there were a few signs that Chambers-Parilon might be capable of that in midfield, but it’s a limited sample size and I don’t particularly want to heap lots of pressure on him to do it all, but we need more.

We miss Bridge massively when he’s not available. Whenever the ball went wide to Ralph or GSM from the centre-backs yesterday, they looked back inside because they don’t have the pace to get around their opponents and that slowed the build-up. What you then require are confident midfield players so you let the ball do the work, but Husin hasn’t been that this season and Morton prefers a quarterback style in a deep-lying role.

Unfortunately there aren’t any other options to play left wing-back when Bridge doesn’t and the suggestion as I’ve seen of playing a right-footer in GSM or Wind in that position would likely lead to the same issues. That’s before you get to the lack of output from the forwards.

I thought Maher did try something slightly different at Maidenhead in that Coker was more advanced on the right, almost as the right-sided attacker in a three rather than in the number 10 role behind the forwards. He took up some good positions but his first touch was uncharacteristically poor and that meant a number of attacks broke down as we lost possession, but it also meant we lost his influence pushing forward from midfield and aiding GSM on the right-hand side.

We’re addressing issues that are a legacy of previous ownership, but it’s simply going to take time, alongside a natural transition and turnover of players, with the likes of Morton and Coker potentially being the long-term replacements for Husin and Miley.

We’ve brought in Kendall to aid a high press from the top of the pitch, Golding to replicate Kensdale’s comfort in possession bringing the ball out of defence (albeit on loan so far) and Chambers-Parilon may transpire to be a long-awaited upgrade on Fonguck. Pepple was making a decent fist of leading the line in place of Cardwell before he was recalled, so it’s back to the drawing board there.

I just think it’s going to take time and we’re waiting for Maher to locate the right formula in terms of personnel with the new faces around the squad and we’re going to need to exercise some more patience. The last two performances have clearly not been good enough, but the manner and style in which we’ve played isn’t the way Maher and the other coaches want us to express ourselves.

Thanks for the insightful post. Chambers Parilon looked to have a bit of pace in the short time he was on so hopefully he will add something though I'm not sure these mid twenties signings from lower leagues are proving quite as fruitful as we'd hope. You'd kind of think they would have shown a bit more by that age.

The signing of Kendall is a bit of a mystery. You say he is there to aid a high press but yesterday he came on for 5 minutes when we'd disintegrated into a shapeless rabble chasing the game. He hasn't got a record as a regular goalscorer so I wonder what the thinking was there.

 

[Liam AAS]

I suppose, but I see football as more of a black and white game, missing chances is not a positive.

I'd be happier if we had lower xG overall but could actually hit a barn door.

You can get a high xG by an accumulation of low-probability chances, which I'd suggest is more probable with our inability to carve teams open.

Missing chances is not a positive but creating chances is.

I totally agree with you on aG v xG.

 

[Evening Echo]

MAIDENHEAD United assistant manager Ryan Peters thought the Magpies were effective rather than pretty in their win against the Shrimpers.

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[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United fans have their say on Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Maidenhead United.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Tough to take - Southend United lost at Maidenhead (Image: Graeme Wilcockson)

Southend United FC
Football
Sport.

SOUTHEND United fans have their say on Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Maidenhead United.

I've been a huge supporter of Maher and the coaching team, but that defeat and performance is really testing my faith. We look like a poor, lower NL side beaten by another poor lower NL side. And I'm losing my belief Maher can change that.

@Moorhouse79

Over complicate the game in a division that requires structure and being direct. Make teams defend crosses, run the channels. Play in their final third. Force errors. Intensity is poor, lack of forward runners. Too easy to play against.

@jameswhyte81

Instead of going to 13 of the next 15 games, only doing three because I can’t cancel the hotels and train tickets, won’t even be using me season ticket, I’m not giving up anymore weekends and dragging my family round the country to watch that rubbish!!

@ShrimperFoz


Really poor, repeat performance of last week, really not good enough.

@rayleighmartin

Inconsistent, mid table side with mid table players loses football match. Unfortunately, that football match was against relegation fodder. Not good enough.

@FarmdogSUFC

Why go back to 2 up top when we’ve dominated the last two league games with 3 up top? Makes no sense whatsoever and we created absolutely nothing today. Could’ve easily lost that 3-0 if not for Hayes.

@aj_mitchell29

Not a lot of threat again from midfield, and too many misplaced passes. Ineffectual up front. 0-0 for both sides would have been flattering! Chambers-Parillon looked lively when he came on hopefully that desire to get forward isn’t coached out of him.

@AndrewHackling

Didn't get the response expected after last week. Once again, have the possession but can't score. Some sloppy passes, Maidenhead defended well, but we really should be making more of the possession. Confused why take two strikers off when chasing for goals. Fans amazing again.

@robertaskew7

Negative set up from the start and didn’t take the game to them at all. We could have stayed out there all night and we wouldn’t have scored.

@L_O_Z_90

Lacked fight and desire, no idea why KM changed the formation and a defensive minded formation against a team in the relegation zone. Always loved Kev but unfortunately, it’s time to go.

@callum_southend

We just don’t have anyone upfront who can put the ball in the net. Hopper was through on goal in the first half but just not quick enough and was caught by the defender. Really missed Bridge. Got done by yet another set piece. Slow, predictable dross.

@Smudgedann

Very poor, we didn't have any creativity and the scoreline flattered us in reality. Hayes & Golding can hold their heads up, and the new lad looked good for the short period he was on. Hard to find too many positives to be honest.

@PhilOwen702

I left my house in Glasgow at 8am, flew down and up the same day, getting in at 9.30pm. In all my time watching Blues that was one of the most abject performances I've seen. Offered nothing and allowed a poor team to beat us, again. I probably won't bother again this season.

@SCOTTMACCA23

We don't expect much these days but that was awful.

@sufcberry

Garbage. Embarrassing. Pathetic. Time for change. 100%.

@ShrimperJoe

The worst team in our history once again, record breakers. Last week, the worst result in our history, now a part time team doing the double over us for the first time. Weak, soft, spineless, negative passing, no cutting edge now the norm. Is Maher the man to turn it round?

@NeilWakefield20

 

[OTIE]

I wasn’t going to post, and seldom do, but:

The last three games I have been to are Barnet at home, Sittingbourne at home, Maidenhead away. As a trilogy of games, they must be three of the worst ever (I have been going regularly since 1984, have seen some sh*te, and this is right up there!).

This style of football is as bad as Brown.
It’s basically unwatchable. “Sideways and backwards everywhere we go”

Does anyone really want this “system” to be the blueprint of the club? That we should sign players to fit in with this approach? No thank you.
Forget this obsession with possession football and sign a couple of players who will run at the opposition and actually take a shot. It’s meant to be entertainment!

Continual high balls from the channels into the box, but without one player who can win a header. Only GSM and Coker take the responsibility to shoot. How many set pieces do we score from? What are we working on in training?

We need a captain who can raise the commitment levels on the pitch. We haven’t had that for years now? Where’s the basic communication throughout the match?
We desperately need a player in midfield who can control the game.
Probably the worst collection of strikers ever witnessed at one club?
As said by others, both victims of the style of play, lacking confidence and sadly ability. We seem to have reverted back to signing old players on their way down. Desperation!

Having Cardwell, then Pepple covered over the cracks, but now those cracks are fully exposed. We are so negative (7 defensive outfield players every week) lack any creativity, and look genuinely unlikely ever to score.

It will be years before we get back up if we stick with this. Look at the quality it took for teams like Stockport, Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield to get out of this league. We are no where near that level.

Lots of things needs to change immediately. Madness is continuing to do the same thing, and expecting different results.

The style of play needs to change. If the manager can’t see that, then he needs to change. This approach just isn’t working and hasn’t been working for a long time.

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

I suppose, but I see football as more of a black and white game, missing chances is not a positive.

I'd be happier if we had lower xG overall but could actually hit a barn door.

You can get a high xG by an accumulation of low-probability chances, which I'd suggest is more probable with our inability to carve teams open.

Had a similar chat with a mate earlier. Our chance creation is no where near the level it was last season, but I do still think we create enough to score more than we do. I can think of several that we've missed this season that I'd back Blair Sturrock to bag. Our strikers are scared to score it seems