Norwich have extended Matt Dennis contract

[Spenser]

So if you had a choice, who would you prefer?........................tough one eh?

At the time, plenty of fans couldn't wait to get rid of a very young Gary Hooper.
Not saying he was better than Freddie but he went on to score around 200 goals in his career.

 

[brigg blue]

At the time, plenty of fans couldn't wait to get rid of a very young Gary Hooper.
Not saying he was better than Freddie but he went on to score around 200 goals in his career.

Looking at their careers Hooper was a better player.

Dons tin hat and awaits incoming

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Or maybe someone at Arsenal noticed when he was 18 that he wasn't as good as Saka and Smith Rowe (England internationals) and he might do well at a club like Norwich ?

Premier League clubs aren’t in the habit of giving away players who they think might do well at clubs like Norwich. Their academy business model is as much to develop such players to sell onto clubs like Norwich for a profit as to develop them for the first team.

 

[Dutch Branch]

Or maybe someone at Arsenal noticed when he was 18 that he wasn't as good as Saka and Smith Rowe (England internationals) and he might do well at a club like Norwich ?

I’m sure that Arsenal had a little clause in that contract with Norwich to ensure they’d make a few quid if he does come good.

 

[Chrisb]

Matt was a huge part of an amazing turn around in form for our unbeaten run which assured our survival in the National League. I doubt he will be with us next season but thanks for helping lift us from a three year downfall. Whether he works and trains hard going forward to progress his career is up to him.

 

[brigg blue]

Premier League clubs aren’t in the habit of giving away players who they think might do well at clubs like Norwich. Their academy business model is as much to develop such players to sell onto clubs like Norwich for a profit as to develop them for the first team.

Sounds very similar to our approach until recently

 

[Spenser]

Premier League clubs aren’t in the habit of giving away players who they think might do well at clubs like Norwich. Their academy business model is as much to develop such players to sell onto clubs like Norwich for a profit as to develop them for the first team.

I guess you know that I wasn't suggesting Arsenal are running a charity for their competitors. Just because they didn't offer an 18 year old a contract it doesn't follow that he is lazy or unfit or won't make it at another club, especially if he then gets a 2 year deal at Norwich.

 

[stewart]

I would love to see him back here in a Southend shirt , i doubt it will happen though,but i wish him every success in the future ,thanks mate for giving every fan that watched you some terrific memories in the short time you was here.

 

[blues exile]

Watching the Barrow v Carlisle game with Acquah featuring for Barrow and Matt Dennis having just scored for Carlisle with a typical Dennis goal.

 

[annie1954]

Watching the Barrow v Carlisle game with Acquah featuring for Barrow and Matt Dennis having just scored for Carlisle with a typical Dennis goal.

There must have been some rubbish on the TV if you had to sit and watch those two teams

 

[blues exile]

There must have been some rubbish on the TV if you had to sit and watch those two teams

It was nearly as bad as watching Southend's recent performances but interesting to see two former Blues in action both of whom would be an upgrade on our present strike force.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

It was nearly as bad as watching Southend's recent performances but interesting to see two former Blues in action both of whom would be an upgrade on our present strike force.

Of course they would be an upgrade, that's why they are playing in league 2. I don't think it's a fair comparison when they are playing in the league above.

But your observations are proof of what the football is like at this level. Any one who genuinely has an expectation to see quality, free flowing attractive football at our level is honestly bonkers. Of course, it's a preference, but it should never be an 'expectation'. Most sides are playing average football from lower league 2 to national league level. That's because they are bang average players. It's the simple truth.

I can honestly say since we have been down here, it's only been Notts County, Stockport, Gateshead and maybe Altrincham, that I would say played free flowing, attractive football. The likes of Wrexham and Chestfield weren't amazing to watch, they just had quality in key areas to get the job done. Wrexham never impressed against us. They just did what was necessary, even after how much money they spent. Other than that, everyone played/plays fairly average football, and why wouldn't they? It's non-league after all.

 

[blues exile]

Of course they would be an upgrade, that's why they are playing in league 2. I don't think it's a fair comparison when they are playing in the league above.

But your observations are proof of what the football is like at this level. Any one who genuinely has an expectation to see quality, free flowing attractive football at our level is honestly bonkers. Of course, it's a preference, but it should never be an 'expectation'. Most sides are playing average football from lower league 2 to national league level. That's because they are bang average players. It's the simple truth.

I can honestly say since we have been down here, it's only been Notts County, Stockport, Gateshead and maybe Altrincham, that I would say played free flowing, attractive football. The likes of Wrexham and Chestfield weren't amazing to watch, they just had quality in key areas to get the job done. Wrexham never impressed against us. They just did what was necessary, even after how much money they spent. Other than that, everyone played/plays fairly average football, and why wouldn't they? It's non-league after all.

There doesn't seem much of a gap, if any, between overall standards in L2 and NL from what I have seen this season. That is why a natural, instinctive goal scorer like Dennis would make a big difference. Acquah had a shot deflected for a corner and mistimed a header from which he should have scored but overall his physical presence, something we failed to develop, was impressive.

 

[Bromley Blue]

Of course they would be an upgrade, that's why they are playing in league 2. I don't think it's a fair comparison when they are playing in the league above.

But your observations are proof of what the football is like at this level. Any one who genuinely has an expectation to see quality, free flowing attractive football at our level is honestly bonkers. Of course, it's a preference, but it should never be an 'expectation'. Most sides are playing average football from lower league 2 to national league level. That's because they are bang average players. It's the simple truth.

I can honestly say since we have been down here, it's only been Notts County, Stockport, Gateshead and maybe Altrincham, that I would say played free flowing, attractive football. The likes of Wrexham and Chestfield weren't amazing to watch, they just had quality in key areas to get the job done. Wrexham never impressed against us. They just did what was necessary, even after how much money they spent. Other than that, everyone played/plays fairly average football, and why wouldn't they? It's non-league after all.

I’m gonna say at times last season we played some fantastic stuff ourselves and looked too good for the level. But we had the whole Ron circus in full flight and the points deduction that came with that.

This season has been nowhere close though.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

There doesn't seem much of a gap, if any, between overall standards in L2 and NL from what I have seen this season. That is why a natural, instinctive goal scorer like Dennis would make a big difference. Acquah had a shot deflected for a corner and mistimed a header from which he should have scored but overall his physical presence, something we failed to develop, was impressive.

That's my point, there isn't a massive gap in team quality, or they way teams play. It's certain individuals that are better. In terms of 'entertainment', that so many demand on here, it's the same from most of league 2 and national league.

It's interesting reading your summary of Acquah. A shot deflected and mistimed a header. That's pretty much what our strikers are doing as well. Definitely not the upgrade that would make us challengers. I would certainly take Dennis though.

 

[rigsby]

Of course they would be an upgrade, that's why they are playing in league 2. I don't think it's a fair comparison when they are playing in the league above.

But your observations are proof of what the football is like at this level. Any one who genuinely has an expectation to see quality, free flowing attractive football at our level is honestly bonkers. Of course, it's a preference, but it should never be an 'expectation'. Most sides are playing average football from lower league 2 to national league level. That's because they are bang average players. It's the simple truth.

I can honestly say since we have been down here, it's only been Notts County, Stockport, Gateshead and maybe Altrincham, that I would say played free flowing, attractive football. The likes of Wrexham and Chestfield weren't amazing to watch, they just had quality in key areas to get the job done. Wrexham never impressed against us. They just did what was necessary, even after how much money they spent. Other than that, everyone played/plays fairly average football, and why wouldn't they? It's non-league after all.

From what I witnessed I would say Stockport were more in the Wrexham category than in with Notts County. Promoted because of set pieces instead of 'entertaining' football ........What ever that is. As we all have different views

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I’m gonna say at times last season we played some fantastic stuff ourselves and looked too good for the level. But we had the whole Ron circus in full flight and the points deduction that came with that.

This season has been nowhere close though.

I agree with you regarding us. It's why I keep saying that fans have short memories when it comes to how Maher wants us to play. He's proved we can play that way when the right players are in the team. We've all actually seen it with our own eyes. For whatever reason, a lot of people are choosing to forget it.

But overall, I stand by my point regarding not many sides playing 'great' football since we've been here. Grimsby and Bromley went up. They in no way played 'entertaining' football. Again, why should they?! It's just having that little bit of quality in key areas. They had McAtee and Cheek for example. Had we acquired Pearce and kept Cardwell, we'd be up there, I have no doubt about that. Let's hope that's the type of quality we can get next year.

 

[blues exile]

That's my point, there isn't a massive gap in team quality, or they way teams play. It's certain individuals that are better. In terms of 'entertainment', that so many demand on here, it's the same from most of league 2 and national league.

It's interesting reading your summary of Acquah. A shot deflected and mistimed a header. That's pretty much what our strikers are doing as well. Definitely not the upgrade that would make us challengers. I would certainly take Dennis though.

I still think Aquah's overall game would be an upgrade on Bonne and Hopper, whose best days are behind them, but he won't ever be a prolific goalscorer and wouldn't be likely to return anyway.