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

[gatecrasher]

Absolute dogs, if we went for them that was an easy 3/4-0.

Sad, ponderous, over use of Mahers son Bridge and the most defensive centre midfield 3 you can think of.

Only plus was Wind looks decent, prob better defensively than Gus ( obviously not in same league going forward) and Bonne putting a shift in. I actually believe if he was put in a more attack minded team, he'd have scored already

 

[Yer Blues]

Boo boys out in force tonight. Why be so negative? Go get a ruby and have a couple of beers and crack on with your Saturday night.

But yes the game was awful today.

Can't wait for more of this insight on your podcast.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Almost instantly forgettable. poor ref who gave us nothing, not the first time when Bridge was shoved off the pitch, only gave next as 4th official told him. Didn't see the numerous grapples and shirt pulling/holding of Bim or the coonstant climbing, elbow hits to Bim either.
Rarely does a ball hit the ost and spin right across the gaping goal and then behind yet Walker did it today like Bridge did a few games back; we aren't getting much luck.
The subs improved the team, released Noor to get forward, Bonne did well and with some luck Kenndall might have scored with his first touch.
Rubbish game.

Yep, Bim was assaulted a few times today. They had it in for him from the start. It worked. It does when a ref lets it happen. When he did turn the central defenders, they pulled his shirt, and the ref didn't even see that.

 

[Leeboy]

the highlight for me was Bonne’s low cross into the box where I think Kendall won the corner.

The amount of times Bridge and Moncur could and should have put a cross in - especially in the first half - but no it went sideways and back

 

[Jack_23]

Honest question.

If the current manager wasn't Kevin Maher would he be under pressure?

This simply isn't good enough.

3 home wins all season at this stage of the season is criminal.

There’s no doubt in my mind that if the manager had no connection with Southend before being manager he would of been sacked weeks ago

 

[Sherif H]

There’s no doubt in my mind that if the manager had no connection with Southend before being manager he would of been sacked weeks ago

The problem is that COSU will not want to treat a club 'legend' like the old regime - right sentiment...wrong application. As you say, any other manager would be under crippling pressure right now.
Maher won't get us promoted with this style of football...not now, not ever.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher labelled it two points dropped for his side after a 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United at Roots Hall.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[Supershrimper]

Easy to be annoyed at the dire football on offer - but don’t worry guys, we’ll be self sustainable in 6 years

Under previous ownership we would be out of business in 6 days

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Share of the spoils - for Southend United boss Kevin Maher (Image: Daniel Hambury)

By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher labelled it two points dropped for his side after a 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United at Roots Hall.

The two teams played out a goalless draw for the third time in succession.

And Maher was frustrated the Shrimpers could not find a breakthrough in the second half.

"I think it's probably two points dropped based more on the second half and the chances we had,” said Maher.

"The first half there wasn't much in it.

“It was scrappy and there were a lot of second balls.

"We got into their final third quite a lot but we were too safe and didn't want to take any risks.

"It takes players to really drive at people but we were probably too safe in that aspect.

"In the second half, Walks (Josh Walker) had his chance and how that's not gone in I don't know.

"It's frustrating not to come away with three points but they're a good side who are well coached."

 

[Joolz]

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

 

[kentblues]

The service to the forwards is poor. That said it’s obvious all three of Walker, Bim and Kendall will being far better playing off Bonne. So if we don’t want to start Bonne every game we need to now go out and buy some who brings similar ( or, if we have suddenly found a war chest, more- unlikely given the desire for “value”.

Kendall and Bonne seemed to work well, then we know Bim and Bonne does likewise. Probably Walker and Bonne likewise…

 

[Yer Blues]

The problem is that COSU will not want to treat a club 'legend' like the old regime - right sentiment...wrong application. As you say, any other manager would be under crippling pressure right now.
Maher won't get us promoted with this style of football...not now, not ever.

I thought today's draw was Heroic

 

[Supershrimper]

Was it Moncour who intercepted the ball on the halfway line just after the second half pushed forward and slotted it through to Walker who hit the post with the rebound flashing across the face of goal?

I'm sure he also had a shot in thd first half. Noor and Bridge for me was both pretty anonymous with Bridge only coming alive in the last 5 or 10 minutes.

Thought their 20 was a strong player for them.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

"We got into their final third quite a lot but we were too safe and didn't want to take any risks.

And this sums up this team over the season so far. We all know it's sideways, sideways and back. I'm currently watching Forest Green Rovers, and the style is totally different. The midfielders and wing backs all try and play the ball forward. The strikers keep getting away from defenders, knowing the forward pass is coming. They are currently 1-0 up, but it really could be 4-0. Some great saves by Stones, the Boston keeper. Such an attractive and effective way of playing football. I wish the three amigos would watch these tactics, and implement them. Crab football is getting us nowhere.

 

[kentblues]

The problem is that COSU will not want to treat a club 'legend' like the old regime - right sentiment...wrong application. As you say, any other manager would be under crippling pressure right now.
Maher won't get us promoted with this style of football...not now, not ever.

If COSU invest in the playing side and he doesn’t deliver then that’s once thing. But we are seeking “value”. Any decent manager coming into a club our size, with the biggest attendances in the league, will expect commensurate funds. That not the approach being followed, it about sustainability and long term progress, and hence Kev will be going nowhere.

Post Ron we all said mid table was fine this season- not everyone meant it…

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

At half time I said to my kids "it's like watching a film, getting halfway through and then realising you've seen it before" - this was like so many previous games this season. So boring, so few chances created, such a slow build up. Husin and Bridge need a prolonged rest on the bench - they offer so little. I'd bring back Gubbins or bring in the new lad at Centre back and move Ralph to LWB and then give Keenan Appiah-Forson into midfield instead of Husin. Charley needs to start up front alongside Pepple too, Walker offers too little.

What a bore fest!

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

Well that snorefest made up our minds that for the first time in years we will miss the boxing day fixture and instead spend it in the warm

 

[IloveShrimp]

9

Was it Moncour who intercepted the ball on the halfway line just after the second half pushed forward and slotted it through to Walker who hit the post with the rebound flashing across the face of goal?

I'm sure he also had a shot in thd first half. Noor and Bridge for me was both pretty anonymous with Bridge only coming alive in the last 5 or 10 minutes.

Thought their 20 was a strong player for them.

Their no 20 demonstrated what we are missing.
Our whole midfield lacks guile, Imagination nastiness and positive thinking.
It seems like we are playing with the handbrake on. Players seem scared to take a chance or make an error.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Was it Moncour who intercepted the ball on the halfway line just after the second half pushed forward and slotted it through to Walker who hit the post with the rebound flashing across the face of goal?

I'm sure he also had a shot in thd first half. Noor and Bridge for me was both pretty anonymous with Bridge only coming alive in the last 5 or 10 minutes.

Thought their 20 was a strong player for them.

Yup it was Moncur and I said to the fella next to me ‘now that’s the way we should attack!’. Quick, no nonsense ball to feet. We’re so slow and ponderous with our attacks it can be infuriating. Where’s the urgency?
We always struggle against big physical teams and today was no exception. No point taking 37 touches before getting the ball whipped in as those defenders will lap it up all day long. Coker must’ve been not 100% as I can’t come up with another reason he doesn’t start. Wind did ok. I’d have given Kendall a full 45. Walker was just chasing shadows today. Don’t blame him. Creativity - ****ing awful in general.

 

[flangejackrabbit]

"We got into their final third quite a lot but we were too safe and didn't want to take any risks.

And this sums up this team over the season so far. We all know it's sideways, sideways and back. I'm currently watching Forest Green Rovers, and the style is totally different. The midfielders and wing backs all try and play the ball forward. The strikers keep getting away from defenders, knowing the forward pass is coming. They are currently 1-0 up, but it really could be 4-0. Some great saves by Stones, the Boston keeper. Such an attractive and effective way of playing football. I wish the three amigos would watch these tactics, and implement them. Crab football is getting us nowhere.

I don't think the amigos are telling them to play safe. It's a case of confidence making people risk averse. You look at matches like Eastleigh and Charlton where we looked fluent and looked to play the snappy balls in the final third and think more how do we give the players the belief to think they can still pull it off.