Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-1 Sittingbourne Town

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

I just don't get it.

When the players play well, at the end of the game they come over to the crowd to get their well earned praise. So they should. ( aren't we good, look at us)

However, when they dish up the total and utter crap that we have seen this season, they need to be left in no uncertainty that it is not good enough. Booing them in my mind is totally acceptable. Players cannot have it all their own way. I for one will give praise when it is due and admonishment when it is due.

I find this posting on here about not booing, player confidence, upsetting players etc etc a complete and utter load of bollocks.

This season just has not been good enough.

RIGHT. Lets hear the excuses, embargo, tactics, Maher, players not available, blah blah blah.

Absolutely. On the pitch the only player who seemed to have any emotional investment was Goodliffe, when the goal went in. And he probably won't be here after May.

Football is an emotional game and those emotions surface in different ways with different people. If you want a nice fluffy environment go to a library on a Saturday afternoon and read a nice book or follow dressage.

Those players yesterday deserve everything they get thrown at them verbally for that disgraceful display.

How many more times this season are we going to see run with the ball 5 yards forward and pass 20 yards back.

Where I hold Maher accountable is recruitment. This season it's been dire!

Bonne and Moncur, panic signings in spades.

We desperately need a PROPER LWB. Not a CB who can give it a go or a winger who he has tried to shoe horn into the position. We've needed that for 2 seasons now, result...Nothing.

We have needed an attacking midfielder for ages, hopefully Porillon can be that player.

We've had the debate about is Gus overrated, Miley and Husin don't contribute enough going forward, we can't find a striker to acquire on a permanent basis who can actually score!

This is where l hold Maher totally accountable. We supposedly have a comprehensive scouting network and from their selections the three amigos and Still look at all the suggestions that they want to put forward to Kev who makes the final decision.

Sorry Kev but your decision making on signings overall is pants.

If you can't spot better players that the dross that served up that toothless display yesterday that couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag then go and don't be troubling the bench next week at Maidenhead, so we can get someone in who can give this club what has bought it success in the past.

fast attacking players, with a creative, steely midfield, and a defence that knew when the big boot should be used to relieve pressure and strikers who know where the back of the net is.

We have been toothless since Cardwell went, and the only player we could find in the whole country to replace him was a 20 year old in Luton and during the time he was here we can't find anyone else who can score on a regular basis.

That is pure footballing Bollox!

 

[Tommy2holes]

I'd like to see the stats for corners. We must have had 20 and didn't test the keeper at all.

What ever way people want to dress it up. Yesterday, was for me (33 years supporting) the most criminal performance and poorest result.

Top many of our players don't have the fight, the quality or the heart to represent our football club and we have a manager that constantly rewards poor performances with places in the starting 11.

That tilly team that got us into the championship with players like pettifer, hunt, jupp etc. Not world beaters but they ran theirsleves into the ground getting results. Why? Because we had a manager that knew how to manage people to get the best out of them.

Kev doesn't seem to have anything about him ie character and generally seems miserable or unapproachable.

 

[The Late One]

Love the East Stand too! The only slightly positive about today’s result is that we don’t have to have the south and west fans in the east anymore! Such a less enjoyable experience when they’re in there!

I guessing you can tell the fans from the south and west...because they have a pulse.

 

[fbm]

I just don't get it.

When the players play well, at the end of the game they come over to the crowd to get their well earned praise. So they should. ( aren't we good, look at us)

That is not it at all.

It's to thank the fans. They can do it after a win and sometimes after a loss (depending on the manner of the defeat).

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

Can guarantee now that when it comes to renewals and new uptakes that season card sales won't reach the highs they did this year

 

[NZamba Legend]

Not to rub salt into the wounds but since the 24th Feb 2024 when we beat Aldershot 4-1 we have won two games at home on a Saturday at 3pm.

2-0 vs Tamworth (league)
1-0 vs Southport (cup)

Say what you like about today but it’s not a one off. Something drastic needs to change even if we are to target next season.

It’s crazy, what is going on here?

 

[OldBlueLady]

Jeez....I've not got the time or inclination to read 15 pages of people's largely super critical and derisory comments from yesterday. So, apologies if I'm repeating anything others may have said.

Yes, it was annoying and frustrating in equal parts. Yes, it hurt to lose in the 96th minute of a match that we should have won easily. Yes, one or two players didn't pull their weight. Yes, some of the selection and substitution decisions were odd, and, yes, some of the tactics were baffling.

Kev played that game with a hand tied behind his back, with illness and injuries to key players, so, had to select a team based on what he had available. On paper, that team should still have ripped Sittingbourne apart, and you can't deny we had chances, but, I had the feeling when several had gone begging that it was going to be one of those days, and if the footballing gods are against you, then they're just against you.

I lost count of the number of handballs the officials failed to see, despite being in front of their noses. The goalmouth melees at the South end in the 2nd half should have resulted in a ball poked home.

I like Charlie Kendall but, yesterday, for me, he took one look at their defender who was built like Gary Deegan and decided he didn't fancy it and then never made a challenge thereafter, just ran about. There was no understanding between the front three at all. I know we're all desperate for Tom Hopper to come good, but I don't think he'd have scored in a month of Sundays. Josh Walker was the only one of the front three who looked up for it, and had several decent runs and shots.

Midfield was pretty non existent. Morton is usually a tidy player but his passing was off yesterday unless it was a simple one, and even a couple of those got cut out. KAF easily our best player, but faded badly. Coker should have been brought on much earlier. The two wing backs didn't do badly, and Ralph would have been my other contender for MOTM. Gus put some decent crosses in too.

Defence was where my biggest issues were, Goodliffe is decent, but why drop Golding (edit, didn't know he had a slight knock)? I'm not particularly taken with Gubbins, and thought Taylor had one of his worst performances for us. Would rather have seen Goodliffe and Golding alongside Taylor. Keeper did ok, though some wayward kicking.

I'm not going to blame Bonne for the goal conceded. It was one of those bizarre freakish things that happen sometimes, he's tried to clear the ball, and it's cannoned off their player and into the net. Simple as that. Where I do have an issue is the reason he was back there....why do we defend in numbers that mean there is literally no-one left up the pitch? It means there are extra players in a crowded area so mistakes do happen, and if we clear it, it inevitably comes straight back. Absolutely kills any chance of a quick break and possible goal attack.

We're far too defensive. I know we rely on the aerial prowess of our number 9s defending, but let's leave others up PLEASE.

Sittingbourne didn't really threaten us, I was expecting more from them to be honest, after all the hype. But they have their scalp, and they have their win to progress into the next round. I always like the "little guys" to do well at these stages of cup competitions, so best of luck to them.

 

[annie1954]

Jeez....I've not got the time or inclination to read 15 pages of people's largely super critical and derisory comments from yesterday. So, apologies if I'm repeating anything others may have said.

Yes, it was annoying and frustrating in equal parts. Yes, it hurt to lose in the 96th minute of a match that we should have won easily. Yes, one or two players didn't pull their weight. Yes, some of the selection and substitution decisions were odd, and, yes, some of the tactics were baffling.

Kev played that game with a hand tied behind his back, with illness and injuries to key players, so, had to select a team based on what he had available. On paper, that team should still have ripped Sittingbourne apart, and you can't deny we had chances, but, I had the feeling when several had gone begging that it was going to be one of those days, and if the footballing gods are against you, then they're just against you.

I lost count of the number of handballs the officials failed to see, despite being in front of their noses. The goalmouth melees at the South end in the 2nd half should have resulted in a ball poked home.

I like Charlie Kendall but, yesterday, for me, he took one look at their defender who was built like Gary Deegan and decided he didn't fancy it and then never made a challenge thereafter, just ran about. There was no understanding between the front three at all. I know we're all desperate for Tom Hopper to come good, but I don't think he'd have scored in a month of Sundays. Josh Walker was the only one of the front three who looked up for it, and had several decent runs and shots.

Midfield was pretty non existent. Morton is usually a tidy player but his passing was off yesterday unless it was a simple one, and even a couple of those got cut out. KAF easily our best player, but faded badly. Coker should have been brought on much earlier. The two wing backs didn't do badly, and Ralph would have been my other contender for MOTM. Gus put some decent crosses in too.

Defence was where my biggest issues were, Goodliffe is decent, but why drop Golding? I'm not particularly taken with Gubbins, and thought Taylor had one of his worst performances for us. Would rather have seen Goodliffe and Golding alongside Taylor. Keeper did ok, though some wayward kicking.

I'm not going to blame Bonne for the goal conceded. It was one of those bizarre freakish things that happen sometimes, he's tried to clear the ball, and it's cannoned off their player and into the net. Simple as that. Where I do have an issue is the reason he was back there....why do we defend in numbers that mean there is literally no-one left up the pitch? It means there are extra players in a crowded area so mistakes do happen, and if we clear it, it inevitably comes straight back. Absolutely kills any chance of a quick break and possible goal attack.

We're far too defensive. I know we rely on the aerial prowess of our number 9s defending, but let's leave others up PLEASE.

Sittingbourne didn't really threaten us, I was expecting more from them to be honest, after all they hype. But they have their scalp, and they have their win to progress into the next round. I always like the "little guys" to do well at these stages of cup competitions, so best of luck to them.

I love your comment one or two players didn’t pull there weight I was at the match and I’m sure it was more than one or two Did you not hear what the crowd thought when they came off ??

 

[Gremlin]

Agree with this . Villa manager made 4 subs at half time as he didn’t like what he saw first half ( and Ollie Watkins injury) That’s how you show leadership and dissatisfaction..

And went on to lose the second half 1-0, just like they had the first.

 

[Zeuss]

I’m extremely surprised that the blinkered ,clueless Bonne-haters on here haven’t tried to make more of that freak last-minute goal .( there. was little chance of us winning on penalties anyway !)
If Bonne had played from the start,we’d have been carving open that defence non-stop. Hopper seems to be offering precious little and as for Kendall….
It’s not just the team selection, Maher has never been very good tactically.

 

[wiggy]

I'd like to see the stats for corners. We must have had 20 and didn't test the keeper at all.

What ever way people want to dress it up. Yesterday, was for me (33 years supporting) the most criminal performance and poorest result.

Top many of our players don't have the fight, the quality or the heart to represent our football club and we have a manager that constantly rewards poor performances with places in the starting 11.

That tilly team that got us into the championship with players like pettifer, hunt, jupp etc. Not world beaters but they ran theirsleves into the ground getting results. Why? Because we had a manager that knew how to manage people to get the best out of them.

Kev doesn't seem to have anything about him ie character and generally seems miserable or unapproachable.

Absolutely, his interviews are tetchy and sulky. Don't want to go on about Cowley but his interviews you can just hear that he cares and wants changes if not going to plan....such a difference!

 

[Essex Exile]

Listened to the game on the radio yesterday and we had about 20 corners and the commentary followed the same theme……corner to Southend….Stephenson heads clear.

Why haven’t we got a dominant centre half like that??

We have to rely on our centre forward, whether it was Cardwell, Bonne or Hopper, to come back and defend corners which in turns leads to no chance of a breakaway and an overcrowded penalty area where mistakes can occur as happened yesterday.

The only plus point from yesterday seems to be that we have learned to clear the first man at corners

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

It isn't the fact we lost against a team 3 leagues below us as much as they way we played against them and completely capitulated. Take into account also the funds we have lost had we of won that game. a nice home draw again would have bought 30 to 40k in at least.

Still never mind eh., none of that matters.

So what?

We sack the manager? Release Bonne?

Some of the comments on here (and yes I know, I'm getting annoyed about SZ ) are ridiculous.

Yes it was a disappointing day and for whatever reason we played **** and wasted a great opportunity to progress, but it's not the first time any club has ever said that.

Back to the league now.

2 days ago people were saying we were 3 points off the playoffs and talking about a realistic chance of making them ... Last time I checked, that's still the case.

And if you knew what I knew, you'd know how much of a success that really would be

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

I’m extremely surprised that the blinkered ,clueless Bonne-haters on here haven’t tried to make more of that freak last-minute goal .( there. was little chance of us winning on penalties anyway !)
If Bonne had played from the start,we’d have been carving open that defence non-stop. Hopper seems to be offering precious little and as for Kendall….
It’s not just the team selection, Maher has never been very good tactically.

You are Bonne and I claim my free gift!

 

[OldBlueLady]

I love your comment one or two players didn’t pull there weight I was at the match and I’m sure it was more than one or two Did you not hear what the crowd thought when they came off ??

Ok, possibly a bit generous, still would only have said 3 really though. I didn't hang about at the end, took the opportunity of sitting in the East to make a quick exit at final whistle. I do suspect this illness that has swept the team has had more of an effect than Kev wanted to admit though.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

There's a few saying why drop this player, that player? There's a stomach bug going about the club, hence the substitute situation. Bonne had the bug, Bridge has it now. Then injuries. Collin hamstring. Crowther knee. Cav ankle, but the closest to a return out of those. Golding has a slight groin strain, so couldn't start last Saturday, as they didn't want to risk it, but he may be available this Saturday.

 

[WillMay333]

Harsh to say Coker did nothing. He put it a few decent balls into the area. Also, Coker was part of the midfield that played Dagenham and did fine with Morton. However, he got left out Tuesday and today.

There was no reason whatsoever to take off a forward for a midfielder - that is 1000% on Maher!!

When we had 3 up, at least the ball more often than not, was sticking up there. As soon as we went 2 up top, we had no outlet (it was the same against Barnet, and has been the same for most of the season, yet Maher still persist with it).

This resulted in Sittingbourne putting pressure on us towards the end, winning corners, which lead to the goal.

I agree the subs killed any chance we had, but the 70 minutes before hand were genuinely poor. The players on the pitch for 70 minutes shouldve done enough but they didnt, I really can't see how they are good enough, no matter what shape they were in.

But again, I can completely understand your point

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

Ah yes, getting to penalties against Sittingbourne would have been an excellent achievement and would have had clubs knocking on Maher's door. Forgive me if I expected better than 0-0 after 90 minutes.

Also, it obviously wasn't Maher that kept 5 defenders on the pitch at 0-0, and decided we had too many forwards on - must have been someone else that made that sub.

Of course penalties against Sittingbourne isn't the game plan.

Do you seriously think at 2pm yesterday Maher and the players sat in the dressing room and he said, OK team, hold out for 90 minutes, don't try and score and let's hope we come through in penalties!

Game management is about the situation on the pitch that a team finds itself in. We failed in that partly because we lack leaders on the pitch.

 

[Tampa Blue]

Where I hold Maher accountable is recruitment. This season it's been dire!


This is where l hold Maher totally accountable. We supposedly have a comprehensive scouting network and from their selections the three amigos and Still look at all the suggestions that they want to put forward to Kev who makes the final decision.

Sorry Kev but your decision making on signings overall is pants.

Totally agree and think that the comments that we have a fantastic scouting network are laughable.

Need a clearout out both on the pitch and imho more importantly off the pitch.

 

[OldBlueLady]

There's a few saying why drop this player, that player? There's a stomach bug going about the club, hence the substitute situation. Bonne had the bug, Bridge has it now. Then injuries. Collin hamstring. Crowther knee. Cav ankle, but the closest to a return out of those. Golding has a slight groin strain, so couldn't start last Saturday, as they didn't want to risk it, but he may be available this Saturday.

I'm not so sure about that.