Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend 3 - 0 Mansfield

[southend man101]

Bizarre / Great game lets hope this continues for the trip to Morcombe

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Great entertainment right from kick off and through to the 99th minute. Bentley didn't have much to do. Lennie was my m of match and a real good right back. Ben Coker another great performance on the left. White and Luke did fine in the middle for most of the game. The strong 5 man midfield bossed the game and passed very reminiscent of Arsenal play. BBC worked his socks off up front and in defending set pieces against a very muscular/large but slow Stags. Tims showed he is fit, fast and well worth his starting place (because of M25?). Same team as finished to start next week at Morecombe please!

 

[dannypav]

11 v 11 or 10 v 10 , we tore them open time and time again.
My only criticism is that we carved our many chances and should have been totally out of sight before Hurst's last minute goal.
Leonard was superb tonight.
Prosser played well also , despite a couple of slips.
Coker , Atkinson and Hurst very good too.
Straker frustrates still - does good and bad things in equal measure.

 

[Silencer]

Great entertainment right from kick off and through to the 99th minute. Bentley didn't have much to do. Lennie was my m of match and a real good right back. Ben Coker another great performance on the left. White and Luke did fine in the middle for most of the game. The strong 5 man midfield bossed the game and passed very reminiscent of Arsenal play. BBC worked his socks off up front and in defending set pieces against a very muscular/large but slow Stags. Tims showed he is fit, fast and well worth his starting place (because of M25?). Same team as finished to start next week at Morecombe please!

Sod that Massimo - we should start with XI players :winking:

Fantastic performance from the off tonight, Clifford, Atkinson and Hurst could and should have put us three goals up after ten minutes. Don't let the two Mansfield dismissals fool anyone, there was only a man advantage for 15-20 minutes max over the 95 minutes.

Ben Coker was awesome on the left especially going forward, you can tell his managers words gave him added confidence. White was realiable as ever, Prosser no nonsense and Leonard looked impressive all full back.

Thought Bentley was safe too, punched when needed and came and took crosses ahead of some absolute Mansfield units. He gets better each week.

Midfield was fluid and impressive, even Straker did ok when he plays on impulse - when he has time he isn't work a wan£, hopefully though the goal gives him some confidence. Clifford may face a long spell on the sidelines now with Timlin getting a strong 90 under his belt and the overdue return of Marc Laird, silly tackle really when you know that officials love to even up following a previous red card. Great to see Timlin charging around the pitch in injury time on pure adrenaline. Hursty a threat from his deliver as ever and BBBC worked his socks off and never gives up. A

ll in all a very impressive performance, 3 well earned points, a clean sheet and the added bonus of our influential midfielders easing back into the team - Timlin getting that full 90 minutes and Laird back on the pitch.

God I love Friday night football at the Hall.

UTB

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

I think Ron got his Morecambe and Mansfield mixed up as at times in the first half, it was like watching a premiership team against a non-league side. We were passing the ball about, playing on the deck, out from the back, with one and two touch moves. Time after time we ripped through the best defense in the division and only lacked that killer finish.

Hurst missed a sitter, their GK made 3 or 4 good saves, and it looked like it was going to be one of those nights when we got hit with the sucker punch.

Could of been 4-0 up at HT, and this was the best I have seen us play for many many years. This is one issue though, is that we played that well, and if it wasn't for the "strange" 2nd goal, we would of only been 1-0 up despite the total dominance.

We took our foot of the gas a bit in the 2nd half, and I thought that Brown should of made some subs a bit earlier as Mansfield were working their way back into the game a little.

Thought the ref got both sending offs wrong, as although the Mansfield one was a very robust and physical challenge, in my opinion is was only a yellow, and Clifford got the ball, even if he did dive in a little bit. Possibly not even a free kick, as there are tens of tackles like that in 90 minutes.

My MOM was Coker, thought he was excellent going forward, and also produced a great saving block in the 2nd half. Prosser was solid, as was White, but I thought Leonard gave the ball away a lot, but defended well. Timlin looked almost back to his normal self after a couple of dodgy early errors, and he also went flying into a solid tackle just before we scored, which left him limping, however this will probably do him the world of good mentally after his broken leg.

Hurst and Atkinson were both busy, and did well, and despite Corr putting in a hard shift, he didn't win much or hold the ball up that well, especially in the 2nd half.

Overall, one of the best nights entertainment at the hall in a long time. Shame the FA Cup is going to get in the way now.

 

[billy best was god]

Special praise must go to Phil Brown who is slowly producing a very very good young footballing side who with our support will only get better

 

[davewebbsbrain]

I think Ron got his Morecambe and Mansfield mixed up as at times in the first half, it was like watching a premiership team against a non-league side. We were passing the ball about, playing on the deck, out from the back, with one and two touch moves. Time after time we ripped through the best defense in the division and only lacked that killer finish.

Hurst missed a sitter, their GK made 3 or 4 good saves, and it looked like it was going to be one of those nights when we got hit with the sucker punch.

Could of been 4-0 up at HT, and this was the best I have seen us play for many many years. This is one issue though, is that we played that well, and if it wasn't for the "strange" 2nd goal, we would of only been 1-0 up despite the total dominance.

We took our foot of the gas a bit in the 2nd half, and I thought that Brown should of made some subs a bit earlier as Mansfield were working their way back into the game a little.

Thought the ref got both sending offs wrong, as although the Mansfield one was a very robust and physical challenge, in my opinion is was only a yellow, and Clifford got the ball, even if he did dive in a little bit. Possibly not even a free kick, as there are tens of tackles like that in 90 minutes.

My MOM was Coker, thought he was excellent going forward, and also produced a great saving block in the 2nd half. Prosser was solid, as was White, but I thought Leonard gave the ball away a lot, but defended well. Timlin looked almost back to his normal self after a couple of dodgy early errors, and he also went flying into a solid tackle just before we scored, which left him limping, however this will probably do him the world of good mentally after his broken leg.

Hurst and Atkinson were both busy, and did well, and despite Corr putting in a hard shift, he didn't win much or hold the ball up that well, especially in the 2nd half.

Overall, one of the best nights entertainment at the hall in a long time. Shame the FA Cup is going to get in the way now.

Have to agree, Coker was awesome tonight. That block was about 20 seconds after he had put in yet another run and cross into the box. The lad has an engine and a half. Twice he rolled the ball with his foot and drifted past the defender to put a ball into the box. Great talent

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

First game of season. What wonderful entertainment. Spread the word and that crowd will go up.
I saw prosser pass the ball on the floor. Impressed with the whole back 4. Thought timlin was immense. Impressed with straker (completely polar opposite to my last game). Only criticism was the final ball and think we could do with a quick forward rather than corr.

How are we not top?

Thank you blues mae it all worthwhile.

 

[leeblue]

That was a mental evening of entertainment at the hall. They were always gonna flirt with red cards the first three minutes of the game was just a string of fouls from mansfield. We could have been out of sight after twenty minutes creating good chances and playing real good football. I genuinely believe we would have won regardless of red cards etc. I thought the first red card for them was a close one clumsy rather than nasty. Clifford went in very silly and gave the ref little option.

Bentley 6 casual kick out early on could have ended in tears

Coker.....9 man of the match by a mile dominated his opponent and got forward with real purpose and menace

White 7 comfortable at centre back

Prosser 7 played well until injury

Leonard 7 solid at right back

Hurst 7 some good work.....think goal took big deflection

Timlin 8 excellent tonight like having a new signing

Atkinson 7 always driving on great engine

Straker 8 pace and power and good footy too well played sir

Clifford 5 such a technically gifted player....let himself down with red card

Corr 6.5 worked his socks off

Laird probably not long enough for a mark but slipped into usual routine of winning the ball and passing to a blue shirt

Kiernan........see above

 

[dannypav]

That was a mental evening of entertainment at the hall. They were always gonna flirt with red cards the first three minutes of the game was just a string of fouls from mansfield. We could have been out of sight after twenty minutes creating good chances and playing real good football. I genuinely believe we would have won regardless of red cards etc. I thought the first red card for them was a close one clumsy rather than nasty. Clifford went in very silly and gave the ref little option.

Bentley 6 casual kick out early on could have ended in tears

Coker.....9 man of the match by a mile dominated his opponent and got forward with real purpose and menace

White 7 comfortable at centre back

Prosser 7 played well until injury

Leonard 7 solid at right back

Hurst 7 some good work.....think goal took big deflection

Timlin 8 excellent tonight like having a new signing

Atkinson 7 always driving on great engine

Straker 8 pace and power and good footy too well played sir

Clifford 5 such a technically gifted player....let himself down with red card

Corr 6.5 worked his socks off

Laird probably not long enough for a mark but slipped into usual routine of winning the ball and passing to a blue shirt

Kiernan........see above

Not even a rating for Starker ???

sorry forget that im blind.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Not even a rating for Starker ???

Yes, he gave him an 8

 

[BluesyShrimper]

Whole team played well, should have been out of sight earlier than the last kick of the game. Mansfield really were dreadful though.
I felt Straker was excellent tonight, it was evident in the 2nd half, all our attacks went through him, the other wing barely saw the ball. I felt Mansfield were scared of him and we used that to our advantage.

 

[ozzy-shrimper]

Ben Coker is class.

 

[eastling]

In addition to the great ratings above I'll add my general observations.

A truly bizarre first half of football. Despite the enforced changes that PB had to make we immediately took the game to Mansfield and really should have done better with the initial openings that fell to Clifford, Atkinson and Leonard. Then BBBC caused all sorts of problems to their left wing back and deftly played in Hurst whose cross was diverted in by Straker.

Then the mad period. I think the crowd felt (those who witnessed Phillips sending off against Dagenham) that if Phillips went for that challenge then this rather robust challenge should also be red. Alabi's leg was very high as both he and Prosser fought for a high ball and on balance a straight red was probably a bit harsh but given what happened to Phillips the other week not surprising. Clifford was a bit naive to go in hard for his challenge which was two footed and probably deserved a red too. Ref was given little option IMHO.

As for the 2nd goal, from my position in the East I had no way of telling if it had crossed but interestingly enough the linesman was well up with play once Leonard had kicked the ball over from the right. The ball cannoned off McGuire's head and having seen the touchline photographer's shot I think the ball has just totally crossed the line if you look at their keeper's position behind the goal line.

Mansfield brought on some very effective subs in the 2nd half and we looked a bit nervy for spells when trying to deal with them especially Rhead their no 9. However, yet again, we found space on the flanks and created quite a few chances the best falling to Coker from a free kick that Marriott clawed away well.

Beevers sending off was just daft for them. Already booked, he blatantly caused obstruction when we threatened a counter attack.

Hurst deserved his goal. Not sure what the keeper was doing. He seemed to miss the flight of the ball completely.

A great collective performance from us again in trying circumstances what with two enforced changes from kick off but both Straker and Timlin played well. We've certainly missed Timlin's energy and it was great to see Laird back.

However, with all the chances we make we really should be scoring more goals at key points of the game to make ourselves more comfortable.

 

[amsemp]

We're starting to look really strong in midfield now with Timlin and Laird back. Nice headache for Mr Brown!

 

[shrimperjon]

Echo what has been said by others, excellent all round team performance. When we are good, we are very good and tonight was right up there with being the best RootsHall performance for some time. PB is building a very good young side and for this reason we must be patient. Average age is low and the likes of Leonard, Coker, Clifford have the chance to really be part of a very good team, although it may take a year or two to fully reach it's potential. For now I'm just going to enjoy tonight and the weekend with three points I the bag.

 

[Shrimper]

That was fun!

 

[united we stand]

the first 10 minutes was the best I have seen in years , we were simply brillant, It was impossible to keep that up and we were only 'very very good' for the next 50+ minutes. We did let them back into the game as the second half progressed. The only negative was we could/should have scored far more ,

no one else has mentioned it so I will- Strakers attempted lob- class. I thought it was his best ever performance las night , but MOM as other hav esaid was Coker by a mile-- althoigh how the ref missed the red card I dont know. (although Looked like a bad mistake in the first half by Bentley who refused to come out for a ball which gave them a scorring opportiunity , but we were a lon g way away so may be not , Red cards--- I agreed with all if them

 

[BlueBore]

Incidentally the Match report on Mansfield's OS indicates that the first goal was scored by Anthony Stalker!

 

[Jai]

How are we not top?

Because every other game we play like we did at Newport, which was non-league at best.

Great tonight though. Our inconsistency is almost amusing. Both straight reds were the correct decision, for what it's worth. I don't know what Clifford was thinking but it was the most two-footed challenge I have ever seen and he's going to have to wait a while to get back in the side now with Laird back and Timlin back firing on all cylinders.