Rumours

[BoyWonder2]

Quote[/b] (CI-City Blue @ Mar. 30 2005,22:09)]Could Luke Gutteridge already be Gower's replacement???  

Whose he? I think you mean Guttridge!

Anyways, I think Gower going would be a blow to us, even though his sh*te in his white boots. He is the most creative player in the squad and has the ability to turn a game with a pass, cross, trick shot etc. If we get him back to the level of last season he'd be a massive miss. Watching the end of season review, every shot he hit seemed to end up in the back of the net.

 

[Beefy]

Wow. I'm shocked about how short some people's memories are. Apart from the last few week's Gower has had another blinding season. He's vital to the way we play and like Freddy the guy has got a crazy amount of ability. We'd be a far worse team without him.

 

[CSWICKFORDSHRIMPER]

Quote[/b] (dave cusaks nose @ Mar. 30 2005,22:28)]I read in the Daily Sport that 'Freddie Star ate my hamster' well f**k lets put it on shrimperzone and get 20 pages of bollox on the go, has he hasnt he??? only the hamster knows the truth!!

what is it with you lot and a rumour,

heres one Fredie Eastwood is going to Carlisle at the end of the season, apparently steve tilson is very close to there groundsman who has master minded the whole thing !!
what?      my source, the man in the Indian Takeaway on the corner of Vic Ave and Fairfax Drive, you know the one that changers names every 2 weeks!

I totally agree, cant we just enjoy having a good season for a changed...

Lets leave the rumour mill alone and support OUR team to the Double this season

One Team In Essex
SOUTHEND UNITED FC

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Mar. 30 2005,22:31)]Wow. I'm shocked about how short some people's memories are. Apart from the last few week's Gower has had another blinding season. He's vital to the way we play and like Freddy the guy has got a crazy amount of ability. We'd be a far worse team without him.

Couldn't agree more. I was shocked at the over-the-top reaction of some "supporters" near me at Cambridge whenever Gower made a mistake. OK, so he didn't play as well as he can that day, surely he's allowed an off day? He still set up two of the goals against Rochdale last Friday, and is surely on course for Goal of the Season for his wonder strike against Bristol Rovers?

For all the talk of how fantastic he was last season, he had a poor run-in due to injury, including a hugely disappointing performance in Cardiff. I really hope he'll be able to turn on the style there this year.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Southampton Shrimper @ Mar. 30 2005,22:40)]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Mar. 30 2005,22:31)]Wow. I'm shocked about how short some people's memories are. Apart from the last few week's Gower has had another blinding season. He's vital to the way we play and like Freddy the guy has got a crazy amount of ability. We'd be a far worse team without him.

Couldn't agree more. I was shocked at the over-the-top reaction of some "supporters" near me at Cambridge whenever Gower made a mistake. OK, so he didn't play as well as he can that day, surely he's allowed an off day? He still set up two of the goals against Rochdale last Friday, and is surely on course for Goal of the Season for his wonder strike against Bristol Rovers?

For all the talk of how fantastic he was last season, he had a poor run-in due to injury, including a hugely disappointing performance in Cardiff. I really hope he'll be able to turn on the style there this year.

Were you near me (about 3 rows from the back, right behind the goal, not far from the bongos) ??

These three 50/60-something guys didn't shut up for the whole 90 about Mark "not getting his white boots dirty" or "Gower, why don't you break into a sweat?"

IMHO, he wasn't THAT bad, yeah OK, not the Marky Gower we know he can be but not deserving of such abuse.

Some people, tsk!

 

[Angell Delight]

It's funny how rumours start, a little while ago a Hull fan came on shrimpers.net asking if Gower was out of contract in June and that he'd love to see him at Hull. Coincidence?

If this post came out at the start of the season I'd have been worried, but with Hull looking certainties for promotion to the Championship I'm quite certain Taylor won't move for Gower in the summer as I don't believe he can cut cut it at that level - he's looked unfit to me for weeks and while I still feel he's an important part of our squad he wouldn't IMHO get a regular place in a Championship side such as the Tigers. Ever since he put on those white boots I'd say Hullbridge is more likely than Hull City....

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (glasgowsufc @ Mar. 30 2005,22:49)]Were you near me (about 3 rows from the back, right behind the goal, not far from the bongos) ??

These three 50/60-something guys didn't shut up for the whole 90 about Mark "not getting his white boots dirty" or "Gower, why don't you break into a sweat?"

IMHO, he wasn't THAT bad, yeah OK, not the Marky Gower we know he can be but not deserving of such abuse.

Some people, tsk!

No, I was in the terrace, roughly in line with the 18 yard line, but the abusers were also three or four 50/60 somethings, but I guess unlike your lot, unfortunately I reckon Mark would have heard some of their rantings as they were close to the front, and of course that would have done nothing for his confidence.

Of course, as soon as he was out of earshot their mad anger turned to bouts of laughter as they congratulated each other on being so clever...

 

[Beefy]

It seems to me that now Bramble has gone certain people in the crowd have turned on Gower now as the guy who will be slated unless he beats nine guys and smashes it into the top corner from 30 yards.

Even Rochdale on friday, ok he wasn't great first half but imo he was possibly the best player second half.

 

[bas blue]

i reckon mark is the most talented player in the team. and sure he has had a big influence since he arrived here. but that does not guarentee him a place in the team every week. mark appears to be struggling at the moment, give nicky or luke a try. we would still have mark on the bench for a 20 or 30 minute burst if things arent going well

 

[Guest]

What a short memory some people have. Mark Gower is one of the most talented players in our squad. We need him ! It's funny that people think that a short lapse in form means people call for players heads. Maybe Fredy should go as he didn't score at Cambridge !!! Mark Gower is instrumental in where Southend are at this moment in time, he is vitally important to our team, and how many remember that when he was recovering from his injury, and had given 100% at Bristol, and was about to be replaced with fresh legs, that he scored the goal that means we can all go to Cardiff. And what a goal it was !!! I really wish people would get off players backs and encourage them through lean times.

 

[Guest]

Gower is massively important to this team. End of. We all know it and are kidding ourselves if we think otherwise. Ignore the rumours for now and let's get behind him instead of waiting to pounce on every mistake. Dish out some stick if you catch someone moaning on friday- there doesn't HAVE to be a boo boy.

 

[Guest]

Lets take the cash for Gower and use it to bring back Neil Jenkins (with Tony Scully as cover).

 

[Guest]

Yeah, those were the days, Scully on the left, Clark on the right, Jenkins or Searle at left back, Rawley up front. We had bags of talent back then. Look at the state of the team now.

 

[Its Only A Game]

Quote[/b] (BoyWonder2 @ Mar. 30 2005,22:30)]Watching the end of season review, every shot he hit seemed to end up in the back of the net.

Is this because it only showed the goals from each game?

 

[piersend]

We certainly have some cretins for fans-there was some guy behind me who kept slagin gower off, and most of the team 2nd half. Considering we were 2 nil up and unbeaten in 16 games, dont suppose the t**t would have been around in the lean times when we were really crap! Wish Taylor would go to hell too

 

[Angell Delight]

Quote[/b] (Guest @ Mar. 31 2005,07:47)]What a short memory some people have. Mark Gower is one of the most talented players in our squad. We need him ! It's funny that people think that a short lapse in form means people call for players heads. Maybe Fredy should go as he didn't score at Cambridge !!! Mark Gower is instrumental in where Southend are at this moment in time, he is vitally important to our team, and how many remember that when he was recovering from his injury, and had given 100% at Bristol, and was about to be replaced with fresh legs, that he scored the goal that means we can all go to Cardiff. And what a goal it was !!! I really wish people would get off players backs and encourage them through lean times.

Nobody's questioning his ability, I'm certainly not and we all accept that sometimes players will be off form - all we're saying is that Gower has been off-colour (give or take the a few impressive games) for much of this season compared to the standards he set last year which deservedly won him the PotY. I'll get behind him every time he's out on that pitch but with the talent he has (the talent we ALL saw last season) I believe we supporters can expect more from him than we're getting at this moment in time.

I would suggest bringing Guttridge in to give Gower that kick up the backside but I'm not sure if it would be wise to tinker with a side on a 16-match unbeaten run.

 

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (Angell Delight @ Mar. 31 2005,11:20)]Nobody's questioning his ability, I'm certainly not and we all accept that sometimes players will be off form - all we're saying is that Gower has been off-colour (give or take the a few impressive games) for much of this season compared to the standards he set last year which deservedly won him the PotY. I'll get behind him every time he's out on that pitch but with the talent he has (the talent we ALL saw last season) I believe we supporters can expect more from him than we're getting at this moment in time.

I think we have to accept that players with Gower's ability cannot perform miracles week in week out. Ricky Otto was no different and we are only comparing Gower to the high standards he set last season. I'm still not convinced that Gower is 100% match fit which is mildly worrying given the lessons we should have learnt from Jay Smith.

Even playing (what we may consider) below par he has shown enough times in enough recent matches why one brief moment of magic is good enough to justify his inclusion. If Nicolau wasn't sitting on the subs bench we probably wouldn't be having this debate. Imho he is the only one that can challenge for the left mid berth at present. He was probably harshly dropped to make way for Gower but is hopefully mature enough to bite his tongue and wait for his opportunity to come again.

Having said all that I'm concerned that these sort of rumours are being thrown about when the current team is on the brink of something fantastic. Whatever happens at the end of the season the squad will inevitably change and if people want to further their career I've never been one to moan at that, particularly if they get an opportunity to play at a higher level.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Quote[/b] (southender @ Mar. 31 2005,09:08)]

Quote[/b] (BoyWonder2 @ Mar. 30 2005,22:30)]Watching the end of season review, every shot he hit seemed to end up in the back of the net.

Is this because it only showed the goals from each game?

I was going to say fair point, but it didn't just show goals.

 

[fbm]

Players like Gower and Freddy are enigmas. They can (and frequently do) play very poorly but they are worth their place on the pitch because no matter how bad their form, they are always capabale of that one little spark of genius that will lead to a goal.

When these two play well, we are almost unstoppable. When they don't, we are effectively playing with 9 men. Fortunately, the latter doesn't happen often. But even when it does, there is always thios possibility of them making something happen.

Contrast with people like Maher, Pettefer, Gray and Bentley, who are much harder working (most of the time) and if any of them have a bad day, you know it ain't gonna get better.

Ironically, one of the worst performances I have seen from Gower was against QPR last season, when he was generally woeful - yet still set up all four goals. That illustrates my point.

 

[sufcintheprem]

Obviously Hull would be interesed now he's off form and the transfer window has closed.

Y'know, makes sense really.