Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend 0 West Ham 3

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United’s pre season campaign started with a 3-0 defeat against West Ham United at a soaking wet Roots Hall this afternoon.

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[WightShrimper]

The result is meaningless from our point of view. I just hope Luggy was able to gather the information needed regarding keepers and other trialists. It didn't sound as though they were the best of conditions.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

Sean Baldock ??

and the biggest crowd of the day from the home fans came when Freddy Eastwood replaced trialist Joe Yoffe in attack with nine minutes remaining.

New season same quality from The Echo i see :smile:

 

[leeblue]

a definite positive was the passing of No. 17 we called him affroman, some good forward thinking midfield play, worth some more minutes on pitch.

 

[Hazey]

So, anyone that went, what kind of style did we attempt to play today? I know the conditions probably didn't allow much football to be played.

 

[fbm]

I thought Flood was released? He was everywhere today, all over the pitch.

I was waiting for us to literally bring a sub on.

This time of year, players usually have to beware of grass burns. Today they were more at risk of drowning.

Seriously though, it's been years since I saw a pro game played in such conditions. The ball just stuck down the flanks... it was sheer comedy.

Considering the opposition I thought we did ok... I liked the first half keeper (Taylor?) and Cresswell. Thought Hall needed to lose a few pounds. Good to see him, Freddy and Phillips play. A couple of the outfield triallists did ok. I liked Folly in the second half. Straker had a torrid time with the ball down the flanks. Smith fumbled the ball for their goal and I much preferred Taylor.

 

[shrimperjon]

Played 4-4-2 both halfs. Tried to play it on the ground but conditions were against that especially outwide. West ham looked fitter and more technically better as expected. I thought the new players did ok, cress and hurst in particular looked tidy, Tomlin battled hard and straker had a tough time but stuck to his task well in the worse part of the pitch. Of the keepers liked Taylor first half and other than the fumbled save which led to he goal smith didn't have much to do. Hall and Martin also linked well at times second half particularly with Benyon. Fred came on for last 10 mins a couple of nice touches. Of the triallist, folley did well and looked tidy. The two first half weren't great and the lad second half upfront didn't see the ball much. Good run out but must sort out the keeper situation and a ball playing cen mid.

 

[Shrimper95]

Taylor made some good saves the number 19 in the second half was quite skilful and looked quite impressive but the ball just kept getting stuck in the puddles on the pitch and players kept falling over so neither team could play their best.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

from jons piece ... smith didn't have much to do & the lad second half upfront didn't see the ball much

Sounds like i missed a classic :smile:

 

[OldBlueLady]

a definite positive was the passing of No. 17 we called him affroman, some good forward thinking midfield play, worth some more minutes on pitch.

Thought the game pretty much passed him by! Thought Phillips, Leonard and Harris stood out for us, none of the newbies really impressed too much although Straker looked quite comfortable. Coughlin showed his experience today and the difference someone with some brute force can make in defence. Expected Fred to come on for just a cameo appearance at the end, following his op, nearly created a goal with his first touch! Don't like Hall in the middle of the pitch :nope:

Preferred the 'keeper in the first half to the second. All credit to everyone for playing in those conditions, shame on the ref for not having a word with a couple of the West Ham boys for the tackles they put in - the one on Benyon in particular.

Finally, can someone explain to me what was the point of checking tickets at the entrance from Shakespeare Drive if people openly wearing West Ham shirts and scarves are going to be let in the West anyway?

 

[wiggy]

Straker made Gilbert look good and Smith in goal wore a crash helmet for the second half!

 

[OldBlueLady]

Straker made Gilbert look good and Smith in goal wore a crash helmet for the second half!

Nah, that was the glare off his bald head not a crash helmet!

 

[griblet]

First half keeper Rhys Taylor looked interesting - Even more so now I have seen his 'CV' - Presume this is him-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhys_Taylor
Born in Neath, West Glamorgan, Taylor played mainly in the Chelsea Reserves and the Youth Team but occasionally got called to sit on the bench when another goalkeeper got injured. He joined Queens Park Rangers on loan in November 2009 until 4 January 2010. [SUP][2][/SUP] During the 2009–10 season, he made eight appearances for Chelsea's reserve team as their first choice goalkeeper.[SUP][3][/SUP]
He joined League Two team Crewe Alexandra for pre-season training in June 2010 and an agreement was made for him to join the club on loan.[SUP][4][/SUP][SUP][5][/SUP] The loan was initially set to last for two months, with Taylor expected to gain first team experience as a replacement for injured goalkeeper Steve Phillips.[SUP][6][/SUP] The loan was completed on 6 July.[SUP][7][/SUP] On 12 July he appeared for Crewe's first team in a friendly match against Quorn,[SUP][8][/SUP] earning a clean sheet in Crewe's 4–0 win.[SUP][9][/SUP] The loan period was subsequently converted into a season-long arrangement,[SUP][10][/SUP] with Taylor soon establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper.
On 2 January 2012, Taylor moved to Rotherham United on a one-month loan deal.[SUP][11][/SUP] He made his debut the same day in a 3-0 win over Bradford City, despite not even training with the squad prior the match.
On 31 January 2012, Rotherham extended Taylor's loan deal until the end of the season.[SUP][12][/SUP]
Rhys returned to Chelsea at the end of Npower League 2 season after a successful spell at the club, playing 20 games. On 1 June 2012 Rhys was released with Salomon Kalou, Jose Bosingwa and Marko Mitrovic. He never made a professional appearance Premier League side.
[h=2][edit] International career[/h]Taylor was called up to the Wales under-21 squad at the age of 17 in 2008. He has subsequently been identified by manager Brian Flynn to be one of the country's most promising future prospects. Flynn considers him to have a promising future for the Wales national football team.[SUP][13][/SUP]

 

[Shrimper95]

I thought all the trialists did okay but the worst one was probably Smith IMO.

 

[DTS]

I thought all the trialists did okay but the worst one was probably Smith IMO.

Get used to it mate. As I said many times he has an error a game in him.

 

[palexander]

Decentish run out - always hard (and pretty pointless from the smaller clubs POV) to play against a good side in friendly.

But I wonder if we have seen the start of the Sturrock revolution as there was a lot of good football from us in spells along the floor and when we could get it wide, really good delivery from Hurst and Straker. Straker noticeably looks like an upgrade on Gilbert going forward (but Luggy told us as much when he signed), but did have a dodgy spell where everything he tried didnt work.

Tomlin looked lively and hardworking, but as the other forwrds, struggled to get any efforts on goal really.

Cresswell looked what you'd expect, tough, wants a battle - but looked half a yard slow to react. Might be harsh on him and least there is plenty of time to sharpen up in the month ahead.

Liked Folly and hopefully he can play some more games.

For the keepers - Taylor looked impressive to me, though let in a bit of a tame one - Smith... I'd send him packing already.

So overall a decent showing ignoring the meaningless result.

 

[RobM]

Having seen Straker a few times - I don't rate him at all :sad:

 

[silentshrimper]

The afroman was very tidy, kept possession very well, could be worth a few more games pre season.

Creswell looked decent, as was Hurst over on the right. Straker did okay in horrid conditions down in the south-west corner.

Also thought Leonard looked good on his return...can't remember much else right now, lots of comedy airshot moments due to the ball not rolling anywhere, luckily most were thanks to wet spam.

 

[kentblues]

Thought the game pretty much passed him by! Thought Phillips, Leonard and Harris stood out for us, none of the newbies really impressed too much although Straker looked quite comfortable. Coughlin showed his experience today and the difference someone with some brute force can make in defence. Expected Fred to come on for just a cameo appearance at the end, following his op, nearly created a goal with his first touch! Don't like Hall in the middle of the pitch :nope:



Preferred the 'keeper in the first half to the second. All credit to everyone for playing in those conditions, shame on the ref for not having a word with a couple of the West Ham boys for the tackles they put in - the one on Benyon in particular.

Finally, can someone explain to me what was the point of checking tickets at the entrance from Shakespeare Drive if people openly wearing West Ham shirts and scarves are going to be let in the West anyway?

The 17 was Jolly. Thought he played well. Rarely if ever gave the ball away and some neat passing & through balls. Can see why he was with Aberdeen in the SPL last year. We need a CM you can retain possession and use the ball- I suspect he will sign. Gbarrsin dont know. Looked like a Kalaa who could actully pass and we need a defensive midfielder.

 

[Welly7]

Not learned a great deal from the outfield trialists/new players against West Ham. It was more about who could carry out Sturrock's instructions to the letter rather than having a massive impact on the game as we were never going to control the play.

Thing that interests me is the selection dilemma at centre back. Thought Cresswell won his fair share in the air and is very vocal. Will be interesting to see him in the league to see the influence he has.

Phillips had a great season last year and is surely a starter but is he too similar to Cresswell in that neither is the strongest on the ball? Would that parnership work?

Barker is the captain but aside from that factor, he is left footed and Luggy likes a left footer on the left and a right footer on the right side. Does that mean Barker & Phillips will start?

Cresswell must have been signed to play but if he does then who will he replace...the skipper or our player of the year? Will be interesting to see how it develops over pre-season.