Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-1 Solihull Moors

[rlb999]

Quite simply; what does Bridge offer us? What does Walker offer us? Miley? Gubbins? Don’t even get me started on Hopper.. nothing ruins a weekend more than remembering he’s on the pitch. Morton and Gus had off games in all fairness as did most the team.

Secondly, it needs to be studied how fragile our confidence is as a team, we look completely lost and lose all our off the ball running for little lofted balls in behind which go straight through to the keeper, silly corner routines in the 90th minute need to get in the bin too.

Don’t get me wrong our season definitely isn’t over but they need to at least look like they want to go up a division. One to forget certainly..

If you are saying we need a rebuild, I agree with you. That involves moving on some players who have served as well but are now surplus to requirements.
The problem is that very few managers are capable of rebuilding a team they have created. It means having difficult conversations with players you have previously relied on.
Do we think that Maher is the man to rebuild this team, and move it onto the next level?

 

[Floval Flyer]

Didn’t go today

Lucky, Lucky me !!

 

[RHB]

Where to start? Probably from the 10th minute of the first half. Up until that point nothing of any consequence had happened from either side. But when that high, hopeful cross dropped over the head of Nick Hayes, the bottom seemed to drop out of the Southend players world. They looked so lacking in confidence and cohesion that you had to wonder why we were flirting with the play-offs. It would be easy to blame Kev, and many will, but that was the same starting XI that dominated Sutton for all but the last few minutes. I don't, for a minute, believe that that Kev and Co told the team to play the way they did after Solihull scored, but it was side to side and back again far more that it was going for the jugular in an attempt to equalise. Half time arrived, and I hope the players went in to the bollocking of the season they deserved.

Second half we came out and played far quicker and direct, but too little too late. We got what we deserved today, **** all. Can we still make the play-offs? possibly, are we good enough? probably not.

 

[IloveShrimp]

If we are serious about promotion next year the list of who we should retain is short.
Collin, Gus, Taylor, Wind, Parillon, Coker, KAF, Morton.

With our thanks time to release & negotiate exits with the rest. That includes Kev Maher & John Still. I don’t in all honesty know enough about what Bentley, Currie each do from coaching perspective. Promote one of them to manage if they have different style from this utter dross or clean slate needeId. Look forward and have Demi as our scouting guy, we don’t need him and Still. Just another paycheck that isn’t delivering value and better invested elsewhere.

Big challenge is payoffs. Many will say we can’t afford it. If we lose 1m for every year in NL, I’d ask can we afford not to? I have little to no faith Kev Maher is the man to lead us back into the football league.

Personally I wouldn't keep Coker either, or possibly even GUS as he doesn't defend well enough. So many goals against has come from his poor defending.

 

[in the know]

Looked disorganised from kick off. No cohesion or practiced moves evident. No triangles releasing a player bursting forward.
Looked dsinterested, uncommitted, unmotivated. One or two players clearly didn't fancy changing booked holidays.
A must win game, and yet no changes made to obviously non working tactics until way to late as usual and then substitutions that defy logic in timing or more aggression. It was like ensuring we couldn't score just in case parillon might muster up something even if knackered.
For me the game highlighted kevs lack of tactical bravery and nous. The players seemed to be clueless what he was trying to do shapewise after the subs. We've seen managers come to roots hall (barnet) and when they make changes, it's very clear why and what difference it makes. Every game I watch I'm puzzled by who, why, when.
If Collin was properly fit id put him back in but think he's got a fair bit of weight to shed after a long break. The lad loves his food and the gym to be fair, but it's turned to bulk. Shame, because I think kev likes an excuse to make changes if a player is off form and Hayes has given him plenty today.
I'm worried that most of our player success stories this season have been loan deals. Pepple, golding, goodliffe. Only Parillon adds anything on a permanent basis (Not expecting gus to have another goal scoring season remotely like this one ).
Not confident that crowther being nearly back is anywhere near compensating with the presumed loss of goodliffe and golding.
Not looked at the table or other results yet, but even if they're favourable, today has knocked any confidence I had of a happy season ending.
I'm in the 'this season's done' camp now and I would think many players probably are too.
I just hope a smooth well planned uneventful preseason can be had for a change.

 

[40yearsafan]

Just remembered that comedy corner at the end with Hayes only halfway up the pitch. We REALLY need to move on from Bridge

When Bridge played it short with Hayes heading up the pitch, I fully expected us to lose possession and Solihul to score a second in the final minute.

 

[Yer Blues]

Inspirational.

 

[Scamps]

It’s weird how everyone is saying so and so is crap and he’s crap. The only reason for this is maher making them into defensive minded players.! We should have gone for the cowley brothers before they went to col u. If you have an attacking minded coach you will win games. He will make Leon into a crap player, was quality when arrived and you can slowly see him becoming a shadow of the player he was at Slough.

 

[danbowen]

So frustrating again. Not good enough at all.

It’s so clear to see what needs to be changed.

1. Need to be much more direct - the side to side passing is a joke and all it does is allow sides to get back in their shape and become tough to break down.

2. Desperately need more pace in the team. Especially on the wings. Currently only Parillon wants to get the ball and drive forward.

3. Clear out the dead wood. Some of you won’t like this or simply can’t accept it. The likes of Hopper ain’t getting us out this league.

4. Bridge shouldn’t be getting game time. Been poor all season, can’t take on a player and is genuinely ****ing woeful. He is getting a free ride for performances well in the past now.

5. We ain’t getting out of this league with Maher. As much as I’d love to see him succeed he simply has no plan b and the football is genuinely poor more often than not. Yes there has been an uptick since Xmas but if we take the lead we are often hanging on rather than going for the kill and if we go behind we will always struggle to get back in to games passing sideways when teams will be more than happy to sit back and try to see the game out. Tactical changes are questionable almost every time.

6. If we want to go up we need to be ruthless and always improve our team. It’s great that some of these players stuck with us through tough times but the sentiment we show will hold us back.

7. We need proper leaders on the pitch especially in the middle. When do you ever see some one trying to pick the team up?

8. Get Collin back in goal. Hayes worries me and Collin gets so many more clean sheets. Granted the goal today was class but what the **** was he doing in the second half. Looked like he dropped the slow moving ball at least twice and in the first half Ralph got him out of jail with that header off the line when he was in no man’s land.

Our fans are unreal and the support again today was class but the players (almost every one of them) failed to turn up. We are bottling our chance of play offs constantly at the moment.

 

[stewart]

How the Cowans at Col uU must be laughing at Maher ,getting rid off Hopper off their books and freeing up wages probably hoping we sign Goodliffe also, End of Season Hayes Bridge , Husin, Bonne ,Walker, Gubbins, to go Hopper if possible , send back Goodliffe, Keep Collin even though hes injury prone, Parillon, Kaf ,Coker still young ,Kendall, Taylor ,Ralph , maybe Morton and Miley decent backups, Get rid off Maher hes not a managers backside. 8668 there to watch that dross absolutely shameful , Well Evan apart from the fans who are great ,now you see the dross that play for them. Come on COSU ,you are doing wonders for the club , one more thing you really need to do if you intent on bringing success to the club , Hire a manager who understands tactics and formations etc, also one that knows a decent signing when he sees one.Lastly GSMs first job is to defend ,yes hes scored 17 goals or whatever but i wonder how many hes been at fault with ,his defending and crossing of the ball is pathetic.

 

[hlane17]

Where to start lol.

As a general remark, today was a big game, and big games require big characters, which we appear to severely lack throughout the team and management. 8600 fans turn out and that's the **** you serve us? Bottlejobs.

Management - no bottle and absolutely no nous. Let Solihull execute their gameplan to perfection and made no positive attempt to turn the game. Who the **** puts Parillon in LWB and allows the oppo to easily pin him back? How Tom Hopper survived past half time I don't know. Drop the dog**** short corner routine, it's stupid at this level. Got little faith left in the management team to be honest, don't think they have the ideas to get us back in the EFL.

• Hayes - So disappointing, looked solid when he first came in. Woeful goalkeeping performance today, characterised by a total inability to command his box.
• GSM - average, but shocking crosses today. Not the only one though.
• Taylor - very average, again doesn't drive into space enough.
• Goodliffe - average, no Kensdale or Golding though, needs to drive forward more from his central role.
• Ralph - picks up my MOTM by being the least s***
• Husin - WTF has happened to Noor. Find myself praying that he doesn't get the ball.
• Morton - every single pass and cross today was overhit, misplaced, or too slow.
• KAF - runs around a lot, flatters to deceive. On several occasions ruined promising moves with woeful passes.
• Parillon - good on the ball but his shooting needs some serious work. Could have had at least a couple today with better finishing.
• Bonne - if effort alone got you goals, he'd be doing alright. Sadly you have to actually find the onion bag which seems impossible.
• Hopper - miles past it. Col Ewe must be laughing at us right now. Should have been pulled at HT but management team didn't have the guts clearly. Stuck with him until 2026, whoever signed off that contract should be sacked.

Subs:

• Miley - see Morton, but worse
• Coker - not enough time
• Kendall - not enough time
• Bridge - largely ineffective and one I'd thank greatly, but move on next season.
• Walker - quite possibly the most useless forward signing since Kargbo. Get rid ASAP.

 

[MR G]

Utter rubbish, what’s happening with the substitutions. Taking off our 2 most creative players. Keenan and Leon !!!

 

[Supershrimper]

We had 17 shots compared to their 2 according to the stats..
Need to win our remaining four to have any chance of playoffs.

17 my arse. Husin in the 1st half, Taylor in the second. The rest may well class as shots but I very much doubt the keeper was troubled by any of the remainder.

Best bit about the day was sitting in the East in the sun after a couple of beers

 

[Jack_23]

Everyone called for Collin to be replaced yet every keeper we’ve tried to replace him with have been worse. Maybe just maybe he is not as bad as people think he is. Seriously think a bigger clear out than some think is needed . Bridge , miley, Husin , walker , hopper , Bonne , maybe all need to **** off and that’s at the very least . Plus you’ll have Goodliffe and Golding going back as well. Massive summer incoming. 4 points off play offs with 4 to go, season over and need to be planning for next season now . We just aren’t good enough all over the pitch

 

[Ricey]

Didn’t go today

Lucky, Lucky me !!

Same!

I genuinely thought with our recent record against Solihull we would smash them. How wrong was I!

Called it a while back and hate to say I told you so, but I knew we wouldn’t make the play offs. A collection of players who just aren’t good enough with tactically inept management!

All you have to do is look at what Coughlan has done at Boston to see what a change at the right time can do.

No embargo, no Ron and COSU now in place. Plenty of time to start getting those targets lined up, start binning off some of the **** and go for next season. And don’t **** about, if they think Kev is the man, he has until Christmas to prove it. If not then he has to go!

 

[stewart]

Same!

I genuinely thought with our recent record against Solihull we would smash them. How wrong was I!

Called it a while back and hate to say I told you so, but I knew we wouldn’t make the play offs. A collection of players who just aren’t good enough with tactically inept management!

All you have to do is look at what Coughlan has done at Boston to see what a change at the right time can do.

No embargo, no Ron and COSU now in place. Plenty of time to start getting those targets lined up, start binning off some of the **** and go for next season. And don’t **** about, if they think Kev is the man, he has until Christmas to prove it. If not then he has to go!

He has had all season to prove it ,forget the excuses of preseason, He is tactically inept and stubborn , continually plays his favourites even when they ****e, no excuses he should have gone a long time ago ,not a managers bckside .

 

[Jack_23]

Btw only 2 goalkeepers have more clean sheets than Collin this season. He has only played 24 games. Get him back in the side.

 

[geoffmundo]

Same!

I genuinely thought with our recent record against Solihull we would smash them. How wrong was I!

Called it a while back and hate to say I told you so, but I knew we wouldn’t make the play offs. A collection of players who just aren’t good enough with tactically inept management!

All you have to do is look at what Coughlan has done at Boston to see what a change at the right time can do.

No embargo, no Ron and COSU now in place. Plenty of time to start getting those targets lined up, start binning off some of the **** and go for next season. And don’t **** about, if they think Kev is the man, he has until Christmas to prove it. If not then he has to go!

Hmm, not sure what constitutes 'smash them' but we've not scored more than 2 goals this year in any game (with the exception of Halifax at Home) in February.

 

[Shrimperborn1957]

We’ve absolutely bottled it. Every team around us are ****ing dreadful. And every time we have a chance of getting in the play offs we ****ing **** it. Embarrassing performance, don’t deserve anything playing like that. To make it worse a woman come up to me and went ‘ calm down it’s just a game ‘

Well she should not be there if that is her attitude. She should know it cuts so deep when we see **** like that.

 

[Paddypel]

Just unacceptable for what was a must win game. How does Hopper last so long ? He was blowing after 50 minutes last week at Sutton and stayed on for half hour after that. Worrying that our management team cannot see obvious tactical decisions that need making. That being said they have more than earned a stab next season with full uninterrupted pre season. My fear is it could get ugly if we don’t start well.