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

[leeblue]

It's basics, and it starts with movement off the ball....spoiler alert there is none.
Noor, moncur especially just stood on the spot. Players look up to pass forward most of the time.....nothing on because they are imitating statues.

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

That was a painful watch.
We looked devoid of energy and ideas. We're so one paced and with nobody prepared to take a risk and pass the ball forward, it's no wonder we're so easy to defend against.
I think we had one shot on target during the 90 minutes and that was a weak, tame effort from Moncur.
How many times did George actually touch the ball in the 63 minutes he was on the pitch? It can't have been many. He was mostly anonymous.

Our passing was pedestrian and mostly sideways/ backwards. It was interesting to see Kev berating Morton when his attempted long range pass through the middle was cut out. Maybe that's why so many of our players seem too scared to attempt anything other than the safe sideways pass?

Walker again looked way off being the exciting, hoal scoring signing we were all hoping for. His only noticeable contributions were being carelessly caught offside.
In fairness though, the service we provide our forwards is absolutely abysmal and they're mainly playing with their back to goal as we've got nobody who's prepared to commit defenders which would open up space for others.

I may be in the minority here, but I was a touch disappointed with Wind's performance. He seemed unsteady on his feet for much of the first half and didn't get forward enough which led to all attacks going through Bridge in the second half.

Crowther continues to worry me. He allowed Dieseruvwe time and space to turn in the box in the box in the first half, and then sold himself too easily on one occasion in the second which led to Hartlepool having a shot which thankfully went wide.

Finishing on a positive, I thought Bonne and Kendall looked a decent pairing in the closing 30 minutes. Kendall was taking up some intelligent positions which was pleasing to see.

Overall, we're still a long way off being a side who will trouble the top 3 in this league. We're still crying out for some pace and creativity in midfield, a proper target man up front as well as a defensive brute/ leader at the back.

 

[Benjamin]

We played the best half of football this season in the league against forest green when we were 433. for the love of good change the formation ffs we’ve got 5 strikers so we can rotate you get out of this league by scoring goals not playing for draws at home it’s embarrassing 3 home wins in 11 is a sackable offence. we get the biggest crowds in the league and we get served that tripe.and there’s no point saying Maher out he’ll never sacked. And some people still clap the players of they can done one

 

[RHB]

Neither side deserved to win that one. Very little encouraging stuff to watch, but Collin did himself no harm with his performance and Nathan Ralph showed his class on his 150th appearance in a blue shirt. 3 points should have been our target so now we will need to do the business at York to make amends. I think Kev might need some anger management sessions as well.

 

[cerbera45]

Got out of my sick bed, coughed and spluttered for 90 mins. Really shouldn't have bothered.
Same tired lethargic negative tactics. When will it end?

Me too mate, blowing my nose was more entertaining. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Cricko]

I personally loved when Bonne ran through in the 89th minute and had to hold the ball for 5-10 seconds because nobody fancied sprinting to support.

There is no back up and zero movement for the forwards from midfield, or rarely, hence why they are overun when they do get the ball. Husin and Morton are defensive and although Moncur tried a bit first half i think one of his legs is nailed to the floor the amount of times he runs around in circles.

Hartlepool were another dirty side with constant shirt pulling and digs. Why is that no longer thought of as a foul these days. The ref i just didn't understand.

The fact remains if Kev sticks to this rigid style of play we might not concede many but we won't win games. It is just so boring and we will remain mid table.

 

[BriggBlue]

I personally loved when Bonne ran through in the 89th minute and had to hold the ball for 5-10 seconds because nobody fancied sprinting to support.

That and along with the cut back he'd did for Charlie showed his nous, he hasn't scored but has a much better footballing brain than most of our squad.

Moncur should be in the same bracket but simply hasn't shown his nous yet

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

What was Kev getting hot and bothered about then ? Cant hear him from West stand

 

[shrimpled]

The most telling moment was in about the 90th minute where a ball was played down the channel to Bonne who got there and looked up to see 5 light blue shirts in the box and not a single navy one within 30 yards.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Me too mate, blowing my nose was more entertaining. Hope you feel better soon.

You too. I guess it's all about the fresh air in our lungs on a day like this

 

[LBBlue]

Typical very low quality non league game against a team who were quite happy to push pull tug grapple hold all day long and a joke of a ref who was quite happy to let them get away with it.

If either side deserved anything out of the game it was probably Hartlepool who created a couple of decent chances that were finished woefully. They did run about a lot more than us and had the ultimate scurrier in their number 10 Adam Campbell who epitomises modern football scurrying for 90 minutes closing down, chasing but incapable controlling the ball or passing more than 3 yards.

So the big surprise was the selection of Moncur and Husin in midfield and the game passed them by in the first half apart from our only shot straight at the keeper from Moncur. So the next surprise was that Maher didn’t change anything until 63rd minute -I suppose it wasn’t really a surprise but he could have made 5 substitutions at half time. However it probably wouldn’t have made much difference as he whole squad are a much of a muchness but very few of them ultimately up to the physical challenges in this league in terms of speed and strength.

The most entertaining thing this afternoon was the ref who seemed completely incapable of recognising a foul but was more than happy to give a yellow to anyone who told him he was wrong.

So my statistic will become more boring game by game. For those who have missed it - it’s now just 3 wins in our last 18 Saturday afternoon home games.

I really had to force myself to pay £43 train fares today and sadly I wish I hadn’t bothered.

So Kev had 18+ outfield players available today and he still didn’t get it anywhere near right. It’s all well and good having a nice big squad with options but I’m all for having your best 11 and sticking with them. It just seems unless we get a lucky break any permutation is just as bad as any other.

The only consolation is - at least we didn’t lose!

 

[Yer Blues]

Oh tired one of the 7 quid burgers too. Beyond average.

 

[CorkShrimper]

Funniest moment was one of the BBC Essex commentators questioning if Bim is good enough to lead the line at full time. Are they not seeing what's behind him? Not to mention the fact Luton are almost certainly recalling him for better things if rumours are true.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Horrible watch, just the same as the away tie.
But then, you line up with Moncur, Husin and Walker and what do you expect ? Nothing less than what was served up.

 

[hlane17]

Funniest moment was one of the BBC Essex commentators questioning if Bim is good enough to lead the line at full time. Are they not seeing what's behind him? Not to mention the fact Luton are almost certainly recalling him for better things if rumours are true.

Considering he's carried this team feeding off scraps he'll be miles better with proper service. Wouldn't blame Luton tbh

 

[Sherif H]

Fans in W block boo Bonne yet same fans sing ‘ super noor Husin ‘ and ‘ bridge will tear you apart’ who both have been absolutely dreadful all season. Fan base as embarrassing as the performance

Senseless singing that chant when he was the worst player on the pitch (and often is).
Should have started with Bonne and Pepple...that is the best pairing we have currently.

 

[CorkShrimper]

Considering he's carried this team feeding off scraps he'll be miles better with proper service. Wouldn't blame Luton tbh

Exactly, wish him the best as well, has given everything. Will have a good career

 

[SHRIMPERR]

Squad good. Coaching bad.

 

[hlane17]

Exactly, wish him the best as well, has given everything. Will have a good career

Given more than most of our contracted players, says it all really

 

[superblue24]

Going nowhere fast with the current management at the wheel. They deserve the season and the start of next given loyalty etc, but we’re woefully inconsistent which is not a recipe for getting back into the EFL.