Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend 1-3 Gillingham

[LennySUFC]

Let's face it, we had problems at the back last season and thus far Brown has failed to deliver a first choice commanding centre half... Until a deal is done with the supposed prem lad we are going to struggle at the back!

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Barry Corr is a big miss at set pieces both attacking and defending. Was like an extra centre back when defending. Can't say that any centre back that Brown has signed has that real physical presence about them. If he didn't think Sokolik was an improvement on what we have why sign him.

 

[KiwiRob]

We do need height at the back. But if Dominic Ball is our target, will he provide it? He is barely over 6 feet and no taller than Thompson or Barrett. By all accounts, Ball is an accomplished defender but in League 1 an aerial presence at the back is a feature of many successful sides.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Barry Corr is a big miss at set pieces both attacking and defending. Was like an extra centre back when defending. Can't say that any centre back that Brown has signed has that real physical presence about them. If he didn't think Sokolik was an improvement on what we have why sign him.

 

[Medway Blue]

I have little doubt that PB and GC will be looking at the player data, which I would very much like to see, and I am guessing the figures for the midfielders would show little of Atkinson and Leonard getting out of our half or making runs in the final hour, the wingers getting into the final third AND a massive gap between the front two and the rest.

Exactly what I was saying in my post-match assessment. The gap between the strikers and the rest was a real glaring issue for me yesterday, it really irked me. And I know it's not Lenny's and Atko's fault for the most part - it's how they're being asked to play and how they're being set-up and it's a huge problem for me. I know football fans tend to think they can do a better job sometimes but to me this isn't just opinion - what I saw yesterday was a failure of football basics. And I can't get my head around how a supposed football manager/coach with the highest qualifications isn't seeing what I'm seeing. The way we play was a massive problem last season and seems to be the same this season. It won't matter who is on the pitch if what they are being coached and set-up to do is so unconducive to creating chances for the strikers and scoring goals.

That is a very fair assessment, problem is that PB doesn't appear to have learnt any lessons from last season and I'm questioning his ability to motivate the team. He fell out with many players last season, publicly criticising them in public, constant blame on the team, lacking this, lacking the other. First game, same problems on the pitch with new personnel, and the same public criticism off it. The next two or three games will be very telling. If this continues then it might be time, even this early in the season. He appears to be so caught up in his own hype that he actually misses the fact that he also is to blame

This is my problem with him. He has some success on his CV and is experienced but my word he is pig-headed. So pig-headed sometimes that he can't see the obvious right in front of his eyes - that being that his tactics and what he coaches the players to do is what causes us problems. A good manager/coach at this level plays to the strengths and qualities of the players he has at his disposal - a pig-headed one tries to shoehorn them into positions roles that they're not suited for, blames them when things go wrong and has the gall to be angry and surprised that he alienates some of them. This isn't the Premier League. We don't have world class players who can adapt to the philosophy of almost any coach. Our players are good at what they are good at but have weaknesses too and that's why they play at this level. Phil Brown needs to realise he's not some kind of football coaching Demi-God who can mould L1/L2 players into world class ones and expect them to just be shoehorned into his way of playing and setting up.

Play to their strengths, take the shackles off and let them play with some freedom and enjoyment. You might find that you get more out of them.

 

[Tampa Blue]

We do need height at the back. But if Dominic Ball is our target, will he provide it? He is barely over 6 feet and no taller than Thompson or Barrett. By all accounts, Ball is an accomplished defender but in League 1 an aerial presence at the back is a feature of many successful sides.

Apparently also a target for Rangers on a permanent basis

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Lots of things from yesterday. It showed how effective players running at you with the ball can be in this division. Gillingham did it time and time again to great success. Lenny is about the only midfielder that can do that for us, but yesterday he played like Atkinson and passed the ball straight away without running with it, mostly sideways or back to Thompson. As said before by me and others, Barrett and Thompson doesn't work. They were caught out a few times with the higher ball that a taller centre back could have dealt with. Mooney is shot. Nowhere near the player that banged in those goals for Orient. When he came off he looked ready for the knackers yard. Yes, we were wide open in the middle due to playing with 2 wingers, one should have been brought off early to shore up the middle.
On the training ground Demetriou and Cox look our best players, so don't judge them by yesterdays performance. Cox has got the best shot on him I have seen at Boots&Laces for over ten years. He blasts them in for fun with accuracy and unstoppable power. We just have to feed him, there lies the problem.

 

[Pak Power]

was hot though wasn't it ?:smile:

 

[Wobbler]

On the training ground Demetriou and Cox look our best players, so don't judge them by yesterdays performance. Cox has got the best shot on him I have seen at Boots&Laces for over ten years. He blasts them in for fun with accuracy and unstoppable power. We just have to feed him, there lies the problem.

Cox and McLaughin found space in between their defence and midfield a number of times yet you can count on one hand the amount of times they were picked out.

The problem is we have one mode of attack - to patientely work the ball wide and swing a cross in. If not that then a long, aimless ball forward. It's awfully predictable. Again, the problem stems from a lack of creativity in midfield (exasperated when Atkinson plays). We desperately lack a player who can play between the lines and open things up through the middle. Leonard has the ability but prefers the safer option most of the time.

Agree with the rest of your post - Browns subs were absolute pony yet again. When it was clear we were rocking at the start of the second half and Gillingham were playing through us with ease a switch to 433 was absolutely obvious, yet as per he turned to his standard 70th minute sub of changing a striker and hoping for the best at a time in which we had absolutely no control of the game.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Mooney is shot. Nowhere near the player that banged in those goals for Orient. When he came off he looked ready for the knackers yard.

Mooney has looked very impressive during pre-season, so what changed? Again, I will say that the atmosphere at Roots Hall can be poisonous and those newbies and regular scapegoats will be dreading playing there before too long.

The conditions yesterday should also be considered, that was as hot as they'll have experienced over the summer and there weren't really that many opportunities to take on water.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Mooney has looked very impressive during pre-season, so what changed? Again, I will say that the atmosphere at Roots Hall can be poisonous and those newbies and regular scapegoats will be dreading playing there before too long.

The conditions yesterday should also be considered, that was as hot as they'll have experienced over the summer and there weren't really that many opportunities to take on water.

The conditions were the same for Gillingham and they didn't seem to have a problem with them

 

[jaffa1]

First 35 we bossed it, but needed Mooney to have converted at least one of his gilt-edged chances. They were fielding a weakened side, and were awful playing the ball out from the back, but they visibly grew in confidence after they equalised. Keeper looked unconvincing to me and both Demetriou and McClaughlin were good first half but poor second. The two I was most disappointed with however were Leonard and Cox, Ryan totally disappeared after the first 15 and Cox (despite a couple of cute one-two's) was totally disinterested if the ball was played more than 5 yards from him, on your debut? (and get used to that service my friend). I don't often say this but at least Atkinson kept going and, rather than simply chugging alongside his opponents, he got in plenty of tackles (one goal-saving).

 

[tommy tucker]

True Barrett and Tompson doesn't work But I'm sad to say that even with his heart and passion for the club .Barrett seemed way out of his comfort zone yesterday . Maybe its the captains armband may have been better used for maybe someone eles .So Barrett can concentrate on his game .

 

[MilkeySUFC]

Oxley 4. Rooted to his line all game. Definately at fault for yhe second goal. Little communication and I really hope Ted plays Tuesday and takes that first team spot.

Demetriou 5. Didn't see anything today that says he is a class act, although he had little ahead of him offering an option.

Barrett 5. Caught out for the second goal and out jumped time and time again. Committed but is 36 years old ffs.

Thompson 5. See above but his distribution has been poor for a while. Look up. Hoof!

Coker 5. Seemed very apprehensive to get forward and pass back. Again let down by the midfield offering for him.

Leonard 5 Didn't look right and a long way off of the performances we know he can offer.

Atkinson 3 Dreadful. Can't pass and gives the ball away time and time again. He is a tree for sure but for me he should be 5th choice on the middle when everyone is fit. Clueless.

Mclaughlin 4 possess a great delivery but didn't offer anything today. His passing both short and long were both poor. Got shrugged off embarrassingly easy.

McGlashan 5 see above but with more pace.

Mooney 5 Missed a sitter and headed straight at the keeper. Worked hard but had little support.

Cox 5 Average. Not a great debut but I'm sure with an attacking midfield behind him he will flurrish.

A very very poor performance that hilights that we are still at least 3 or 4 signings from being a force.

The midfield today were frankly abysmal.

Jay emanuel Thomas for them was a class act and put to shame our marquee signings.

**** poor performance

I'd agree with you for all of that, other than Oxley being at fault for the 2nd goal. ****-poor defending, if you ask me. No way Oxley could have claimed that through about 7 or 8 bodies. Barrett should have been getting his head on that.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

I'd agree with you for all of that, other than Oxley being at fault for the 2nd goal. ****-poor defending, if you ask me. No way Oxley could have claimed that through about 7 or 8 bodies. Barrett should have been getting his head on that.

Agreed, however Oxley didn't cover himself in glory about 10 seconds before when he fumbled a cross which eventually lead to that throw in. I think that's why he's taking some flack for the 2nd one

 

[MilkeySUFC]

I have little doubt that PB and GC will be looking at the player data, which I would very much like to see, and I am guessing the figures for the midfielders would show little of Atkinson and Leonard getting out of our half or making runs in the final hour, the wingers getting into the final third AND a massive gap between the front two and the rest.
Ok, oh dear Mr Mooney, he fluffed a few chances (header and slice) BUT what I hate is the simulation, e.g. where he went to make a run (2nd half) on the left side into the box and dived to con ref (who had a good game) and waste a chance. He also decided on another occasion that a right wing cross would be the GK's catch and didn't make an attempt and was left rueful when the GK missed it. These things happened just before he was taken off.
For those who say it is game No.1 I can tell you the Col Ewe game was very similar in how we behaved after 30 minutes, the writing was on the wall, now it is up to PB to work it out without, I suggest another lock in or scape goating as the blame, largely, is on his shoulders.

Well, from my view point, that was not simulation. I thought he was caught by an outstretched foot but think the ref decided he'd already lost the ball so didn't blow for the foul. Otherwise, it would have to have been a yellow card for Mooney.

 

[Welly7]

Thompson, Willo and Mooney are all good squad players, but not good enough to be considered first team starters IMO. To see progress on the pitch this needs addressing and fast.

 

[Jai]

Sick of hearing "only first game of the season". In reality it's a continuation of the **** poor mismanagement from the last 12 or so games last season. I was going to say nothings changed, sadly that's not true, we were worse.

Spot on. People think at the end of the season you just push a reset button and all our problems go away. What I want to know is has Brown just set a club record for most league defeats in a row (6)?

 

[rayleigh dan]

Well, from my view point, that was not simulation. I thought he was caught by an outstretched foot but think the ref decided he'd already lost the ball so didn't blow for the foul. Otherwise, it would have to have been a yellow card for Mooney.

Debatable whether that incident was simulation, but Mooney does go down far too easily, I went as far as calling him a cheat after one particularly bad dive in the box last season. It's frankly embarrassing at times, for the second game in a row he went down under minimal pressure and gave away a free kick for hand ball. :angry:

While we're on the subject McGlashan didn't cover himself in glory either with his constant rolling around on the floor, I laughed at him jumping up very quickly on one occasion when he didn't get the free kick!

 

[Shrimperforlife]

The conditions were the same for Gillingham and they didn't seem to have a problem with them

couldn't agree more... Don't get this "conditions" mantra , we were poor and we got out fought and more so out thought .... Gillingham were a better TEAM than we were , and when we go 2-1 down we look like scared rabbits... Nobody takes control...