Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend 3 - 0 Mansfield

[tommy tucker]

Did not make Friday due to illness .But from what I herd on Blues world and from what folk have read on hear .If only we could sort out this bloody embargo and could bring in 2 or 3 more players we could rally be a force to be recond with .

 

[fbm]

The traffic problems probably helped here because we were forced into playing 5 midfielders. This meant we always had space in the middle of the park and Corr was ably supported by any midfielder who fancied supporting him.

I can only echo many of the sentiments on here. We really were in the mood and it took Mansfield some time to get the ball in our half. When they did, we just nicked it off them again. If there was a downside it was that we should have been out of sight before we scored. We really must start taking more of the really good chances that we are now making.

At the time from my vantage point in the East Blacks I thought their 1st sending off was harsh but had no complaint about Cliffords. Having seen the highlights from the other angle I still think theirs was possibly a yellow as it was clumsy more than malicious. However, Clifford really leaves the ref with no option diving in with two feet as he did, even if he did get the ball. Poor challenge.

We made the side with the best defensive record in the division look really second rate and we should have won by 5 or 6 easily. We didn't press our advantage home in the second half because we didn't have to; we were 2-0 up and it was their game to chase. However, a lot of our movement and passing was superb and the 3rd goal was a superb exhibition of keep ball that is rarely seen in League 2. Top marks Blues.

Ratings

Bentley 7 - Did what he needed to do

Leonard - 7 - Solid display
White - 8 - Didn't look out of place in the centre at all and is surprisingly good in the air.
Prosser - 8 - Brave performance against a couple of absolute lumps.
Coker - 9 - MOM - Superb performance, hardly put a foot wrong. His performance was epitomized by a superb turn on the left in front of the East Blacks and then a cross which came to nothing, but then he raced back and made a superb tackle in our own box to stop a shot going goalwards. Good work.

Hurst - 7.5 - Another goal and assists, but should have scored after about 10 minutes when he hit the scoreboard from 8 yards out.
Atkinson - 7.5 - Good contribution but should have hit the target from a header from 10 yards in first few minutes.
Clifford - 5 - Did well when on the pitch but it was a rash challenge and on another day could have cost us dear.
Straker - 8 - Excellent performance from him and a decent run for the goal
Timlin - 8.5 - Close for MOM and it was the old Timlin back, full of running and energy.

Corr - 8 - Did really well on his own.

Subs -

Kiernan - 7 - Did well when he came on
Laird - 7 - On for Straker and good to see him back

Ref - 7 - Didn't get much wrong I thought. Decent.

 

[amsemp]

The traffic problems probably helped here because we were forced into playing 5 midfielders. This meant we always had space in the middle of the park and Corr was ably supported by any midfielder who fancied supporting him.

Totally agree with this. I don't get why some on here blast 4-5-1 type formations as negative. Without the ball you've got 10 men behind the ball and on the attack you've got at least 4 in and around the box.

The 4-3-3 we play allows the wide wingers to drop into the midfield for 5 in the middle when defending and when attacking, there's plenty of midfield support. Think in the long run it will suit Barry nicely having 5 midfielders behind him with the sole purpose of creating him chances, as we all know how good he can be with the right service.

 

[Maroon Blue]

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, where football played on the deck totally outclassed the big archetypal northern physicality. If Clifford had stayed on his feet we would have got a hatful, he is a fortunate lad it did not cost us. For him it has cost him his place, with the majestic return of Timlin and return to fitness of Laird pushing Clifford down the pecking order. Felt a bit concerned first ten, fifteen minutes as their loan striker Alabi showed his pace and strength and thought he would be too much for our patched up defence. Once he was red carded, the game was very comfortable for our passing style and we just passed around them for fun. Bentley 7.5 - Not much to do, but what did was done calm and assured, kicking a little off, a couple of balls straight out. Leonard 8 - Slotted back in effortlessly, as if played their all season. White 7.5 - Used his experience to produce a commanding display at centre half. Prosser 8 - Really committed performance, took some clattering's but always put his body on the line to defend. Coker 9 - MOTM, is their nothing he cannot do, constantly beat his man going forward, deserved a goal Hurst 8 - Really enjoyed himself, cracking cross for first goal and great strike for third. Timlin 8.5 - Welcome back, provided real quality along with a tireless work rate. Clifford 6 - Silly unnecessary lunge for the red just when we looked like getting an avalanche of goals. Atkinson 7.5 - Usual tireless display to make sure we controlled the midfield area. Straker 8 - Provided width on the left to give them fits, constantly ran passed his man and now getting on the end of crosses Corr 7.5 - Lone striker, but provided aerial strength at the back, as we lacked height, worked all night. Kiernan 7 - Slotted in comfortably when Prosser had to leave the game. Laird 7 - Nice to see him back, shored up midfield for final ten minutes. Wonderful display, Straker provided crucial width on the left, others provided lots of energy in midfield and we ran rings around them from Alabi sending off onwards to gain a fully deserved win by a three goal margin. UTB

 

[Jam_Man]

Totally agree with this. I don't get why some on here blast 4-5-1 type formations as negative. Without the ball you've got 10 men behind the ball and on the attack you've got at least 4 in and around the box.

The 4-3-3 we play allows the wide wingers to drop into the midfield for 5 in the middle when defending and when attacking, there's plenty of midfield support. Think in the long run it will suit Barry nicely having 5 midfielders behind him with the sole purpose of creating him chances, as we all know how good he can be with the right service.

Depends how you play.

One up front is ok if you play on the floor and work the ball up the pitch and 2 midfielders support the striker.

When you lump it up and hope one striker wins the ball and retains it then its not so good, which is the difference between Sturrock and Brown. Certainly it got results for half a season for Sturrock which yielded a great points tally in the 2nd season, but when it got figured out we were awful.

I think as a system our style of play suits it far more now than it used to.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

The second was more subtle but whose presence was it who distracted the keeper, who was he backing away from? If he doesn't get in that position the keeper deals with that ball.

Somehow, I thought this might be your take on the second goal.

As a confirmed Life of Brian fan,let's hope there will be some more divine intervention on behalf of the Messiah, in the form of a goal in the Cup at Morecambe, rather than just some debatable assists.

I need a sign. :winking: (After all it's about time BBBC broke his away duck this season).

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

Somehow, I thought this might be your take on the second goal.

As a confirmed Life of Brian fan,let's hope there will be some more divine intervention on behalf of the Messiah, in the form of a goal in the Cup at Morecambe, rather than just some debatable assists.

I need a sign. :winking: (After all it's about time BBBC broke his away duck this season).

BBBC doesn't have to prove anything to you.

 

[amsemp]

Depends how you play.

One up front is ok if you play on the floor and work the ball up the pitch and 2 midfielders support the striker.

When you lump it up and hope one striker wins the ball and retains it then its not so good, which is the difference between Sturrock and Brown. Certainly it got results for half a season for Sturrock which yielded a great points tally in the 2nd season, but when it got figured out we were awful.

I think as a system our style of play suits it far more now than it used to.

Yeah I completely agree. Playing 4-5-1 under Brown allows good passing build up play and plenty of support in the final 3rd. 4-5-1 under Sturrock was just lumping it to Corr from all angles and seeing if he could get a shot away. After Phillips' red in the Dagenham game we lined up 4-4-1 and a fair few times the ball was hoofed into Corr without success which should prove it's not the way to do it.

The beauty of 4-5-1 is that it's very well balanced and can be very attacking and very defensive at the same time. Certainily wouldn't be too sad to see us adpot a 4-5-1 type formation in a 4-2-3-1 with Leonard and Laird anchoring the midfield and the 3 amigo's of Hurst, Clifford, Timlin/Straker as attacking midfielders behind Corr.

 

[russellrh]

Great performance by the whole team, but just a small note, the starting eleven, not one loan player in the team, so think that speaks volumes, so think on PB.

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Great performance by the whole team, but just a small note, the starting eleven, not one loan player in the team, so think that speaks volumes, so think on PB.

Not out of choice, but due to the M25!

 

[Cockle43]

Great performance by the whole team, but just a small note, the starting eleven, not one loan player in the team, so think that speaks volumes, so think on PB.

Not out of choice, but due to the M25!

True it was due to the M25, but it's a valid point to make and perhaps shows that the players that are our assets are perfectly capable on their day.
The problem is, of course, that when injuries and suspensions come into play, as they always will, do we have the strength in depth in the squad without them?

 

[mrsblue]

Great performance by the whole team, but just a small note, the starting eleven, not one loan player in the team, so think that speaks volumes, so think on PB.

This,

Loanees are only window dressing.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

For the first Corr did fantastically well down the right hand channel to play the ball to Hurst for the cross. It's a shame BLuesWorld doesn't pick this up, although probably as relief for those who mistakenly think Corr is a cart-horse.

Speaking of cart-horses, I'm sure you'll remember Boxer the horse, in George Orwell's wonderful satire of the Russian Revolution, Animal Farm.

His solution to any problem was always "I will work harder." That might well have been fine for a mantra. at the time of the collectivisation of Soviet farming. back in the 1930's and 40's.

However,it's clearly no longer a suitable mantra for 21st century success.A better one would be "I will work smarter."

I'm glad to note (from your eulogy at least) that the Messiah is already putting this into practise with his "assists."

The transubtantiation of "assists" into goals (especially away goals)would however be most welcome.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Speaking of cart-horses, I'm sure you'll remember Boxer the horse, in George Orwell's wonderful satire of the Russian Revolution, Animal Farm.

His solution to any problem was always "I will work harder." That might well have been fine for a mantra. at the time of the collectivisation of Soviet farming. back in the 1930's and 40's.

However,it's clearly no longer a suitable mantra for 21st century success.A better one would be "I will work smarter."

I'm glad to note (from your eulogy at least) that the Messiah is already putting this into practise with his "assists."

The transubtantiation of "assists" into goals (especially away goals)would however be most welcome.

WTF are you on about?

Corr has always played intelligently for us.

He's not going to score many goals this season because the team isn't set up to score many goals. As go(o)d as Corr may be, he isn't going to beat 4 men and stick it in the top corner. He will however continue to put himself in good positions and no doubt wonder why his team-mates aren't doing likewise.

Ultimately this team lacks creativity and incisiveness and it doesn't get enough men forward. That is despite Corr, not because of it. If we start to put more good balls and more players into the area then Corr will score more goals. If he's being made to look mortal it is because of the midfield and lack of any support in attack.

 

[amsemp]

WTF are you on about?

Corr has always played intelligently for us.

He's not going to score many goals this season because the team isn't set up to score many goals. As go(o)d as Corr may be, he isn't going to beat 4 men and stick it in the top corner. He will however continue to put himself in good positions and no doubt wonder why his team-mates aren't doing likewise.

Ultimately this team lacks creativity and incisiveness and it doesn't get enough men forward. That is despite Corr, not because of it. If we start to put more good balls and more players into the area then Corr will score more goals. If he's being made to look mortal it is because of the midfield and lack of any support in attack.

Very true. Would be interested to see the stats for how many goal scoring chances have been created for Corr and then work out his conversion rate compared to chances. I bet it's not as bad as it seems. It's not like you watch him squander chance after chance every game. Nice to see the midfield getting amongst the goals though as every promotion winning side has goals contributed from all over the pitch.

 

[chapperzUK]

Very true. Would be interested to see the stats for how many goal scoring chances have been created for Corr and then work out his conversion rate compared to chances. I bet it's not as bad as it seems. It's not like you watch him squander chance after chance every game. Nice to see the midfield getting amongst the goals though as every promotion winning side has goals contributed from all over the pitch.

This season's conversion rate hasn't been great compared to his rate from last season.

3 goals from 18 shots this season leaves him with a rate of 16.7% conversion rate. Compare that to last season 13 goals from 48 shots - 27.1% - and in his first season with using, scoring 21 goals from 78 shots - 26.9%.

Not only that but his accuracy is down from previous seasons, 7 of this seasons 18 shots have been on target - 38.9% - while in his previous seasons he achieved 52.1% and 44.9%.

Those stats would suggest that the chances he has had weren't clear cut chances.