Post-Match Thread and Ratings Oxford Utd 0-2 Southend United

[Boreham Shrimper]

I haven't liked Paul Sturrock, but since Widdrington has gone we seem to be trying to actually play better football. Two wins has kept him in his job.

I very much doubt that Sturrock's job was ever in serious danger with the hierarchy at the club. Having sacked and paid off the last management team and whilst operating under the financial constraints that we are, the club simply can't afford to sack another manager, especially one who seems to have so much personal capital with the players he has brought in. The likes of Barker, Corr and obviously Blair Sturrock are here largely because of their personal liking for Paul Sturrock and because they have worked under him elsewhere. To sack Paul Sturrock would have far wider implications for the squad and would likely pose more questions than it would resolve at this stage of the season.

Of course, with the two wins on the bounce, things are looking a whole lot rosier than they were a short while ago. Let's see how things pan out in the January transfer window and hope that things have taken a turn for the better. UTB.

:loyalsupporter:

 

[Jai]

All At Sea view is here http://www.aas-fanzine.co.uk

 

[SUFC_Al]

I like what i saw today. My first game since November 13th and it was a real good team performance. We defended as a team very well and dominated pretty much all the way through. We intercepted numerous wayward Oxford passes in midfield, some forced some unforced and with a little more quality going forward we could have hurt them a lot more i feel. Now in 12th only 4 points from the play-offs and there seems to be a different atmosphere now Widdrington has gone.

Evans - 7 Didn't really have a save to make. The one i thought he made from Mclean near the end actually hit the post!
Clohessy - 7.5 Fluke goal but works tirelessly; good little player.
Herd - 7 Decent game, very much played his part
Barker - 9 MOTM Dominant.
Coughlan - 8 Best game i've seen from him.
Hall - 7 Played on the right. Threatening in the 1st half, links well with Clohessy, seemed a bit reluctant to get down the line 2nd half.
Easton - 8 Won everything in midfield. Good stuff.
Ferdinand - 7 Surprised to hear his name but looked assured and got stuck in. Pleasing to see a youngster in midfield.
Soares - 5 Frustrating. One good run and shot in the 2nd half his bright moment.
Sturrock - 8 If only he could finish! All round play i have to say is pretty impressive at times....if not so at others!
Corr - 8 Good game, works hard, wins a lot of ball. Got the ball booted at him from an Oxford defender as he was celebrating, didn't notice at the time!

Patterson - 7 Decent cameo, caused a few problems late on and had a shot wide.

 

[ibwiajwa]

All At Sea view is here http://www.aas-fanzine.co.uk

What has happened to the podcast Jai?

 

[TravellingBlue]

Absolutely thrilled by the team performance yesterday. Thought we looked a lot more together and calm on the ball. I don't like Paul Sturrock, haven't since he arrived, however he absolutely nailed it yesterday with team selection and formation (which I admit I have been slamming him for). Is it just me or does the team seem to be a lot closer now that Widdrington has left? Also, gone is the hoof ball that we played for the majority of the season so far and in its place is consistant excellent pass and move. We weren't brilliant yesterday, but we were so much better than many recent performances. I keep my fingers crossed that we can play with such enthusiasm at home tomorrow.

Evans - 7 Not much to do, thought he had a great save towards the end, but seems it hit the post?
Clohessy - 7 Fluke goal (good to get some luck going our way) some great off the ball running.
Herd - 7 Decent game, one clearance towards the end showed how far he has come.
Barker - 9 MOTM Best performance I've seen from him, absolutely dominated was a colossus!
Coughlan - 8 Excellent in the air.
Hall - 6 Has the skills but rarely uses them.
Easton - 8 Won everything in midfield, battled until the final minute.
Ferdinand - 7 Much of the game passed him by, but when involved he looked really assured.
Soares - 5 Just doesn't do it for me, one good run second half, and some good defending was about it.
Sturrock - 8 If Blair could finish he would be playing a higher level. Has come on leaps and bounds and I thought some of his touches were superb.
Corr - 8 Showed his warrior side, won everything.

Patterson - 7 Will score goals, looked sharp and was unlucky not to get a penalty. I think because he's so tall he gives the impression of running like a giraffe, but actually he is getting stuck in!

 

[kentblues]

Great result today. In honesty I think we were pretty poor and Oxford were worse. It's 3 points though, end of.

What really ****ed me off was how static the midfield were - maybe under instruction from Sturrock, in which case fair enough. Ferdinand played well, but very similar to Easton and neither want to get forward. Worse were Hall and Soares. When one's going down the wing, the other should be getting into the box at the far post. Neither showed ANY inclination to do this all afternoon. Tactics, or **** players?

Tactics I feel sure. It about knowing how to go and win games- the longer Oxford were not getting anywhere the easier the came became. In this division keep clean sheets away, even just being solid, you will win many because you get chances come what may. I will take this approach every way game to the end of the season as then all will take is some decent home form to be in the playoffs. I would not say its boring- I would say its about becoming a professional effective winning team.

 

[Strykr]

so refreshing to see positive comments on a match report, so great to tune in and hear a win, and stepping away from that relegation zone is all we can all hope for surely!

cant help but feel that widdrington leaving has had an effect on play, and morale. as has been discussed before, teamwork and spirit can turn average players into winners. long may it continue!!

and cricko u need to go to all away games from now on, simple!

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

When was the last time SUFC won consecutive away games 2-0 back-to-back!?!

There were two occasions in 2005 when we got close to this. Initially in March 2005, when we first beat - ironically enough - Cheltenham Town 3-0, then beat the team from that other university city, Cambridge United, 2-0, as we charged our way towards promotion, which of course we eventually achieved via the play-offs.

And that gives us the second occasion. Our next away game after beating Lincoln 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium in May ended up as a 2-0 win at Bradford in August, at the start of our Championship-winning campaign. The irony here is that those two teams played each other yesterday, and are both managed by legendary Southend ex-players and ex-managers.

But if you don't want to count either of those, and you're just looking for a straightforward two consecutive 2-0 away victories, then you have to go back exactly 10 years, to January 2001. The first game was (ironically?!) on New Year's Day, when we beat Brighton 2-0, and then in our next away game we beat Leyton Orient 2-0 on 20 January. That was in the same division we are in now and we ended up the season in 11th place, just one place above where we are right now.

Oh, the irony! :omg:

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Is it just me or does the team seem to be a lot closer now that Widdrington has left? Also, gone is the hoof ball that we played for the majority of the season so far and in its place is consistant excellent pass and move.

I think the team spirit's been pretty good for most of the season. We've come from behind so often this year, from Sturrock's very first game in charge to the Macclesfield cup games when we came from behind 4 times and the recent Stevenage and Shrewsbury games. Last year we gave up when we fell behind.

We played some decent football at times before Widdrington left - Bradford and Torquay are the two that stand out to me - but not consistently, so I suspect that's probably a coincidence. Maybe Gilbert being suspended had more to do with the recent improvement because he's a proper hoof merchant.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I think the team spirit's been pretty good for most of the season. We've come from behind so often this year, from Sturrock's very first game in charge to the Macclesfield cup games when we came from behind 4 times and the recent Stevenage and Shrewsbury games. Last year we gave up when we fell behind.

We played some decent football at times before Widdrington left - Bradford and Torquay are the two that stand out to me - but not consistently, so I suspect that's probably a coincidence. Maybe Gilbert being suspended had more to do with the recent improvement because he's a proper hoof merchant.

That, and the fact we've played two natural wingers lately... giving us a more natural formation.

 

[Mick]

There were two occasions in 2005 when we got close to this. Initially in March 2005, when we first beat - ironically enough - Cheltenham Town 3-0, then beat the team from that other university city, Cambridge United, 2-0, as we charged our way towards promotion, which of course we eventually achieved via the play-offs.

And that gives us the second occasion. Our next away game after beating Lincoln 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium in May ended up as a 2-0 win at Bradford in August, at the start of our Championship-winning campaign. The irony here is that those two teams played each other yesterday, and are both managed by legendary Southend ex-players and ex-managers.

But if you don't want to count either of those, and you're just looking for a straightforward two consecutive 2-0 away victories, then you have to go back exactly 10 years, to January 2001. The first game was (ironically?!) on New Year's Day, when we beat Brighton 2-0, and then in our next away game we beat Leyton Orient 2-0 on 20 January. That was in the same division we are in now and we ended up the season in 11th place, just one place above where we are right now.

Oh, the irony! :omg:

More co-incidence than irony. Good research nevertheless.

 

[The General]

More co-incidence than irony. Good research nevertheless.

Cheers Ian!
Can tell your an egghead with that post!

:clap:

 

[WESTY_SUFC]

Maybe Gilbert being suspended had more to do with the recent improvement because he's a proper hoof merchant.

V good point YB!!! Hope he has to win his place back rather than Herd be dropped without doing anything wrong.

 

[Maroon Blue]

Excellent assured performance, very nervous when team announced and lack of depth on the bench. Every man put in a shift, Evans in goal was dependable aside from a couple of kicks would have him as our number 1. Nice to see both full backs getting forward, Herd is better when more confident for which a run in the team will bring. Really hope he keeps his place, what he brings golng forward plus the throw in (which is more effective when used sparingly) wins for me over Gilberts greater experience. Both centre backs were immense, easily Coughlans best performance and for me Barker was MOTM, his positioning and coolness must have made it easy for Herd & Ferdinand.

In midfield the playing of two natural wingers gave us an outlet all the time instead of the old hoofball. Hall looked dangerous and Soares worked hard, had one good run in the second half but still has the odd mad moment with some slack passing which could have cost us. Ferdinand was teriffic, just sat in front of the centre halves and passed to Easton or out wide, simple but effective. This allowed Easton to get a bit further forward and be more effective in dangerous areas without worrying about leaving gaps behind (with Grant he cannot do this as he cannot trust him to cover, as immense as Grant has been).

Up front Corr & Sturrock run themselves into the ground, Corr is proving he can be a 20 goal a season man and if Sturrock had a yard more pace and could finish he would be priceless. Another extremely intelligent display and it noticed when Corr went off and Patterson came on, an exquisite flick on from Sturrock would normally have found Corr already running into the channels, but Patterson was stood still with his marker and did not read it. However it was still good to see Patterson have a go for the 10-12 mins he was on.

Oxford really were turned over and it is a while since I felt so comfortable being in the lead. Just by playing simple 4-4-2, passing along the ground, a solid keeper, two full backs not afraid to get forward, two experienced centre halves, two natural wingers, a genuine holding midfielder and a captain allowed more freedom and two strikers who ran and pulled their defence apart. A word for the referee aswell who was not influenced by the home crowd and got every decision right, also our boys who were disciplined with no bookings. An overall really promising TEAM performance and if this is life without Granty, maybe it is not as bleak as feared.

 

[BaileytheQuitter]

Excellent assured performance, very nervous when team announced and lack of depth on the bench. Every man put in a shift, Evans in goal was dependable aside from a couple of kicks would have him as our number 1. Nice to see both full backs getting forward, Herd is better when more confident for which a run in the team will bring. Really hope he keeps his place, what he brings golng forward plus the throw in (which is more effective when used sparingly) wins for me over Gilberts greater experience. Both centre backs were immense, easily Coughlans best performance and for me Barker was MOTM, his positioning and coolness must have made it easy for Herd & Ferdinand.

In midfield the playing of two natural wingers gave us an outlet all the time instead of the old hoofball. Hall looked dangerous and Soares worked hard, had one good run in the second half but still has the odd mad moment with some slack passing which could have cost us. Ferdinand was teriffic, just sat in front of the centre halves and passed to Easton or out wide, simple but effective. This allowed Easton to get a bit further forward and be more effective in dangerous areas without worrying about leaving gaps behind (with Grant he cannot do this as he cannot trust him to cover, as immense as Grant has been).

Up front Corr & Sturrock run themselves into the ground, Corr is proving he can be a 20 goal a season man and if Sturrock had a yard more pace and could finish he would be priceless. Another extremely intelligent display and it noticed when Corr went off and Patterson came on, an exquisite flick on from Sturrock would normally have found Corr already running into the channels, but Patterson was stood still with his marker and did not read it. However it was still good to see Patterson have a go for the 10-12 mins he was on.

Oxford really were turned over and it is a while since I felt so comfortable being in the lead. Just by playing simple 4-4-2, passing along the ground, a solid keeper, two full backs not afraid to get forward, two experienced centre halves, two natural wingers, a genuine holding midfielder and a captain allowed more freedom and two strikers who ran and pulled their defence apart. A word for the referee aswell who was not influenced by the home crowd and got every decision right, also our boys who were disciplined with no bookings. An overall really promising TEAM performance and if this is life without Granty, maybe it is not as bleak as feared.

He also wouldn't be playing for Southend.

 

[fbm]

Excellent assured performance, very nervous when team announced and lack of depth on the bench. Every man put in a shift, Evans in goal was dependable aside from a couple of kicks would have him as our number 1. Nice to see both full backs getting forward, Herd is better when more confident for which a run in the team will bring. Really hope he keeps his place, what he brings golng forward plus the throw in (which is more effective when used sparingly) wins for me over Gilberts greater experience. Both centre backs were immense, easily Coughlans best performance and for me Barker was MOTM, his positioning and coolness must have made it easy for Herd & Ferdinand.

In midfield the playing of two natural wingers gave us an outlet all the time instead of the old hoofball. Hall looked dangerous and Soares worked hard, had one good run in the second half but still has the odd mad moment with some slack passing which could have cost us. Ferdinand was teriffic, just sat in front of the centre halves and passed to Easton or out wide, simple but effective. This allowed Easton to get a bit further forward and be more effective in dangerous areas without worrying about leaving gaps behind (with Grant he cannot do this as he cannot trust him to cover, as immense as Grant has been).

Up front Corr & Sturrock run themselves into the ground, Corr is proving he can be a 20 goal a season man and if Sturrock had a yard more pace and could finish he would be priceless. Another extremely intelligent display and it noticed when Corr went off and Patterson came on, an exquisite flick on from Sturrock would normally have found Corr already running into the channels, but Patterson was stood still with his marker and did not read it. However it was still good to see Patterson have a go for the 10-12 mins he was on.

Oxford really were turned over and it is a while since I felt so comfortable being in the lead. Just by playing simple 4-4-2, passing along the ground, a solid keeper, two full backs not afraid to get forward, two experienced centre halves, two natural wingers, a genuine holding midfielder and a captain allowed more freedom and two strikers who ran and pulled their defence apart. A word for the referee aswell who was not influenced by the home crowd and got every decision right, also our boys who were disciplined with no bookings. An overall really promising TEAM performance and if this is life without Granty, maybe it is not as bleak as feared.

Totally agree. It was the best game I've seen Herd have for us actually, but he still didn't get close enought to the winger on occasions. I shall be surprised if Corr plays tomorrow as he was feeling his back just before he went off. Having suffered from back pain on and off myself for about 25 years it will be a few days before he will be able to run around like that again.