Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-0 Hartlepool United

[Maroon Blue]

A difficult game, knew Hartlepool would be tough opponents after their improved form under Lennie Lawrence. He likes to attack teams away from home (KM take note) he has pacy skilful forwards and doormen at the back. Waterfall and Parkes probably have more cards (mainly reds for Waterfall) than most get for Xmas. Team selection for us demonstrated once again main priority is not to lose the game and not to go out and try to win the game. If we want to progress into play-offs, home wins is a must and 3 this season is lamentable. Better to win 5 and lose 5, than draw 10. Bridge should have gone off not Walker when Kendall came on and back to the 433 that frightened the life out of FGR. Indeed it should be that for all home games and the wing backs away employed away from home. What KAF had done wrong not to get on the pitch let alone start after his energetic display at Brentwood i am baffled. Understand Coker not starting if he has been ill and Pepple going off after being flattened by their keeper. George Wind defended well but we missed Gus attacking on the right. Moncur was okay for 45 minutes, Noor must be outstanding in training to get a start because he has no spark left at game time. At least Miley was not shoehorned in with Morton preferred at CM. But why he came on in the dying embers instead of a more dynamic KAF, oh yes I forgot we were seeing out the point instead of trying to win the game.

Andeng-Ndi 7
Taylor 7
Crowther 7.5
Ralph 7.5
Wind 6.5
Husin 5
Morton 8 MOTM
Moncur 6
Bridge 6
Pepple 6.5
Walker 6

Bonne 6.5
Kendall 6.5
Coker 5.5
Miley 5

James Morton my MOTM always found a pass and controlled the midfield. Thought Crowther had a good game against the dangerous Dieservwe and Ralph solid as ever. Indeed the positive was the clean sheet. I had predicted 1-1, expecting both teams to at least score once, so not overly disappointed with a point just the manner it was attained. UTB

 

[thenobster]

A difficult game, knew Hartlepool would be tough opponents after their improved form under Lennie Lawrence. He likes to attack teams away from home (KM take note) he has pacy skilful forwards and doormen at the back. Waterfall and Parkes probably have more cards (mainly reds for Waterfall) than most get for Xmas. Team selection for us demonstrated once again main priority is not to lose the game and not to go out and try to win the game. If we want to progress into play-offs, home wins is a must and 3 this season is lamentable. Better to win 5 and lose 5, than draw 10. Bridge should have gone off not Walker when Kendall came on and back to the 433 that frightened the life out of FGR. Indeed it should be that for all home games and the wing backs away employed away from home. What KAF had done wrong not to get on the pitch let alone start after his energetic display at Brentwood i am baffled. Understand Coker not starting if he has been ill and Pepple going off after being flattened by their keeper. George Wind defended well but we missed Gus attacking on the right. Moncur was okay for 45 minutes, Noor must be outstanding in training to get a start because he has no spark left at game time. At least Miley was not shoehorned in with Morton preferred at CM. But why he came on in the dying embers instead of a more dynamic KAF, oh yes I forgot we were seeing out the point instead of trying to win the game.

Andeng-Ndi 7
Taylor 7
Crowther 7.5
Ralph 7.5
Wind 6.5
Husin 5
Morton 8 MOTM
Moncur 6
Bridge 6
Pepple 6.5
Walker 6

Bonne 6.5
Kendall 6.5
Coker 5.5
Miley 5

James Morton my MOTM always found a pass and controlled the midfield. Thought Crowther had a good game against the dangerous Dieservwe and Ralph solid as ever. Indeed the positive was the clean sheet. I had predicted 1-1, expecting both teams to at least score once, so not overly disappointed with a point just the manner it was attained. UTB

for KAF = Wood. doesn't fit the 'model'

 

[Sussexshrimper]

Then why sign KAF starting to get a little peeved at kevin mahers managment

 

[Ingrave Shrimper]

A soon as saw Husin on the team sheet I thought ‘oh Kevin…I thought you had leant that lesson ’ and I should have gone home - easiest prediction of how the game would go ..

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Then why sign KAF starting to get a little peeved at kevin mahers managment

That's my worry. Kev keeps saying he knows what we need, but KAF was signed on a 2 deal, indicating that Kev saw him as an important addition. He's now had plenty of time to bed in, yet he's hardly had a sniff.

 

[palexander]

The inclusion of Husin was massively disappointing again. Kev pulled him out the side and I have no idea what Husin has done to deserve going back in - and evidenced by another poor laboured lacklustre performance in mf. You’ve got KAF who can break the lines from mf and would be ideal for home games.

Like others, tired/bored of kevs style. Summed up (and pointed out by Paul Clark) at Kev ranting at Crowther I think for trying a ball over the top for Kendall instead of holding onto it.

As Clark said, worth trying now and again and if it’s an inch higher over the defender, Kendall is in. But no… boring possession rules over absolutely ANYTHING positive.

Morton clear MoM. Looks super assured in mf. I love his first action. It’s either a really good/clever first touch of the ball, or he will use his body to get away from someone. Did it all day and also a nice range of passing. Clearly no place for Miley at the moment and would be massively disappointed if Maher goes back to Miley over Morton any time soon.

 

[1966 and all that]

With one or two exceptions, the one positive was the assistant referee failing to pick up Wind's foul throws. Of course, the next time they do, it'll be Wind's not the opposition.

 

[CorkShrimper]

Morton clear MoM. Looks super assured in mf. I love his first action. It’s either a really good/clever first touch of the ball, or he will use his body to get away from someone. Did it all day and also a nice range of passing. Clearly no place for Miley at the moment and would be massively disappointed if Maher goes back to Miley over Morton any time soon.

A player I could actually see playing in the league before us. Really impressive progress since he's joined, looks levels above the rest of our midfield.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Yesterday was certainly a hard watch for both sets of fans. It had a real non-league feel about it, which is quite ironic and very somber for two former league sides playing eachother.

Pre-match, I don't think Kev was oblivious to the lack of creativity in our home matches, which is probably why he selected Moncur. He probably hoped he could unlock a tough, compact unit. However, that move just hasn't worked overall. Coker missing was huge. I am absolutely baffled what has happened to Husin but boy has he regressed this season. He is literally a passenger at the moment and this can't continue. One would hope that Coker comes into the 11 next weekend instead of him.

I said this in a post midweek, but anyone who doesn't see the difference in quality from Gus to Wind is really not watching the game properly. Wind has fantastic potential and can certainly 'do a job' at the moment but Gus offers so much more and was greatly missed yesterday.

Another clean sheet will be most welcome the the defense and Collin so that is a positive. We are 5 unbeaten as well, so it's not horrific. We just need to get something going up the other end. An attacking midfielder is definitely a priority in Jan!

I'd like to see Pepple and Kendall start in the next match. I'll be there at York in what will be a very difficult match. Utb.

 

[palexander]

Yesterday was certainly a hard watch for both sets of fans. It had a real non-league feel about it, which is quite ironic and very somber for two former league sides playing eachother.

Pre-match, I don't think Kev was oblivious to the lack of creativity in our home matches, which is probably why he selected Moncur. He probably hoped he could unlock a tough, compact unit. However, that move just hasn't worked overall. Coker missing was huge. I am absolutely baffled what has happened to Husin but boy has he regressed this season. He is literally a passenger at the moment and this can't continue. One would hope that Coker comes into the 11 next weekend instead of him.

I said this in a post midweek, but anyone who doesn't see the difference in quality from Gus to Wind is really not watching the game properly. Wind has fantastic potential and can certainly 'do a job' at the moment but Gus offers so much more and was greatly missed yesterday.

Another clean sheet will be most welcome the the defense and Collin so that is a positive. We are 5 unbeaten as well, so it's not horrific. We just need to get something going up the other end. An attacking midfielder is definitely a priority in Jan!

I'd like to see Pepple and Kendall start in the next match. I'll be there at York in what will be a very difficult match. Utb.

Yea would agree Wind hasnt really hit the heights of his full debut in any minutes he's had since which is a shame. Looked to be something of a real find. Of course, still may work out that way, but am left worried if that was a flash in pan appearance.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United striker Bim Pepple was taken off with a shoulder problem during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United.

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[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United top scorer Gus Scott-Morriss was forced to miss Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United due to a knee problem.

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[rayleigh dan]

I also thought Wind was okay but no more, we all see things differently I guess, but I’m still bemused how he got MOM and some are raving about his performance.

He seemed to get caught out of position a lot (too far infield), though to be fair he recovered well the majority of the time. He looks very raw to me and might turn out to be a rough diamond who’ll shine with the right coaching. Right now though I’d say he’s at not at the same level as GSM (even a below par Gus tbh).

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Injured - Southend United wing-back Gus Scott-Morriss (Image: Darren Woolley)


By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United top scorer Gus Scott-Morriss was forced to miss Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United due to a knee problem.

Scott-Morriss had been expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested for the FA Trophy clash at Brentwood Town.

But the wing-back was not available for selection after suffering an injury in training.

Blues boss Kevin Maher explained: "Hopefully it's not a bad one.

"His knee puffed up in training on Thursday and he wasn't able to train yesterday so we'll see how it settles down going into his next week."

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

But many have been calling for that attacking central midfielder for a year or two, its still glaringly obvious. I'd be getting another big lad in to partner Crowther and moving Ralph up a bit, down that left wing, he can score goals from midfield. Bim and Kendal together will terrorise defences, but we need lads to join them in the box.

Take Gus out of there, keep Ralph in defence and then Husin in the centre like it was yesterday and we almost literally have nothing, against a very organised ex league team.
It was freezing cold, that didnt help my mood !

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Injured - Southend United striker Bim Pepple (Image: Daniel Hambury)

By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United striker Bim Pepple was taken off with a shoulder problem during Saturday's 0-0 draw
with Hartlepool United.

Pepple suffered the injury after colliding with visiting goalkeeper Adam Smith early on at Roots Hall.

But the on loan forward was able to continue until just past the hour mark before being substituted.

Blues boss Kevin Maher confirmed: "Bim had a problem with his shoulder.

"We thought about it changing him at half-time but we wanted to see how he was.

"He was struggling with it a bit but we gave him as long as he could before making changes."

 

[geoffmundo]

A difficult game, knew Hartlepool would be tough opponents after their improved form under Lennie Lawrence. He likes to attack teams away from home (KM take note) he has pacy skilful forwards and doormen at the back. Waterfall and Parkes probably have more cards (mainly reds for Waterfall) than most get for Xmas. Team selection for us demonstrated once again main priority is not to lose the game and not to go out and try to win the game. If we want to progress into play-offs, home wins is a must and 3 this season is lamentable. Better to win 5 and lose 5, than draw 10. Bridge should have gone off not Walker when Kendall came on and back to the 433 that frightened the life out of FGR. Indeed it should be that for all home games and the wing backs away employed away from home. What KAF had done wrong not to get on the pitch let alone start after his energetic display at Brentwood i am baffled. Understand Coker not starting if he has been ill and Pepple going off after being flattened by their keeper. George Wind defended well but we missed Gus attacking on the right. Moncur was okay for 45 minutes, Noor must be outstanding in training to get a start because he has no spark left at game time. At least Miley was not shoehorned in with Morton preferred at CM. But why he came on in the dying embers instead of a more dynamic KAF, oh yes I forgot we were seeing out the point instead of trying to win the game.

Andeng-Ndi 7
Taylor 7
Crowther 7.5
Ralph 7.5
Wind 6.5
Husin 5
Morton 8 MOTM
Moncur 6
Bridge 6
Pepple 6.5
Walker 6

Bonne 6.5
Kendall 6.5
Coker 5.5
Miley 5

James Morton my MOTM always found a pass and controlled the midfield. Thought Crowther had a good game against the dangerous Dieservwe and Ralph solid as ever. Indeed the positive was the clean sheet. I had predicted 1-1, expecting both teams to at least score once, so not overly disappointed with a point just the manner it was attained. UTB

Spot on. You are eloquently describing my thoughts….pretty much word for word. All I can assume is that COSU have given Kev a free pass this season and to use it to build a team for next season.

 

[onceknownasrab]

Spot on. You are eloquently describing my thoughts….pretty much word for word. All I can assume is that COSU have given Kev a free pass this season and to use it to build a team for next season.

Building a team for next season worries me. We are definitely not getting the best from the players we have, so why will we get the best from players we bring in? I think some believe Maherball will be triumphant when KM has the players who can do it well. I have no faith in that. This division needs speed and intent in the last third. We have showed, too rarely, we can do that and for a fleeting moment recently it looked as if KM had conceded to the necessary/inevitable change. That was for a brief interlude shorter than a flash of bolt lightning.

I genuinely want KM to succeed. I think he can succeed. I just seriously doubt he will.

 

[Evening Echo]

GEORGE Wind is determined to keep on showing what he can do at Southend United.

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[kentblues]

The Radio Essex commentators agreed that their keeper had got to the ball first and therefore it wasn't a foul on Bim. Looking on the live stream and it's action replay at the time I wasn't so sure, but of course the ref only had one sight of it.

They did make the point that Bim would have got there quicker if his shirt hadn't been held by the defender as he broke away.

Getting the ball first isn’t the be all and end all. Many times players have been sent off having got the top of the ball first before going studs first into the other player.

Forget the he got the ball first bit. If it was dangerous play or out of control the referee would/should officiate accordingly?

The ref was standard NL fare. Not the utter incompetence of Yeovil, but inconsistent and given his yellow card tally this season, and maybe further to a quiet word re same, on a mission to let things go and keep his card in his pocket.

BTW has Kev’s appeal against his ludicrous sending off been heard yet or has it been swept under the carpet…