Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 0-3 Barnet

[Pak Power]

from their forum;

Not to detract from our performance, we were excellent throughout, but I think that was probably the most gutless, lacklustre Southend performance I've seen us face. On the pitch they've seemingly gone backwards since Ron Martin left.

Ndlovu showing flashes of brilliance. Some Ndlovely superb flick ons and hold up play. He was wasted at the Wood.

 

[Sufc.2008]

I think today was another example showing it’s not necessarily our strikers that’s the problem. Walker and Kendall tried hard, as did Bonne when he came on - but they get ZERO service, not a single ball to feet or for them to run on to… and haven’t had for months.

The only reason Pepple scored a few was that he could drop deep and use his strength to get through on goal. The other strikers aren’t that type of player.

With Miley, Husin and Coker behind them, what hope do they have… something needs to change and fast. Have COSU given up? Even if we’re giving up on this season and waiting for next, changes need to be made now so new players can get up to speed rather than waiting until the summer, when I’m sure we’ll hear the same excuses again when no improvements are made.

We have to be very careful - at this rate, there will be a hell of a lot of season ticket holders not renewing next season, and the dream of sustainability will look miles away.

 

[The Late One]

How comes the drummer ended up in the north with 10 or so singers?

And then start drumming aimlessly when the west stand start singing??

 

[Fairport]

The three Barnet goals summed up perfectly what we are lacking. The first a towering header from a set peice. We never look like doing that despite many goals in this division scored in that manner. Goal number two saw three Barnet players getting into the six yard box to covert the cross. Again, our players don't seem to have the initiative to make those runs. The third goal was well worked, a flick on back header at the near post with a player making a perfect run to convert.
We are way behind teams like Barnet. Too many lightweight players, no pace in the team, hardly any player in the whole squad who can make an intelligent run into the penalty area. Another depressing afternoon watching a team with too many of the wrong type of players needed to get out of this league.

 

[WestyReturns]

Believe me, if you’re not a fan of Maher’s football, you certainly won’t like Harris’.

Not unless you’re partial to a rigid 4-5-1

Who said anything about Harris. Just had enough of terrible Maher dross. 5 natural defenders and 2 defensive midfielders at home against Barnet is incredibly embarrassing. Teams don't even line up against Man City or Real Madrid that defensive. It's basically asking to lose a game of football.

 

[shrimperjon]

That was simply dreadful. From start to finish across the pitch they were better than us. Quicker, sharper, better movement the list goes on. We simply never got going. The one clear chance we had Ralph didn’t connect as well with a header. They had two similar chances especially the one second half but they took theirs. On the way out their fans were saying they didn’t play that well and I can see that but they didn’t have to.

We barely laid a glove on them. It was embarrassing at times how bad we were. Yet again the team selections were puzzling. Again Morton left on the bench for the ineffective Husin. Miley got a ridiculous yellow card after 3 mins that hampered his game. 2-0 down at half time and the answer is to bring on the even more ineffective Bridge. Walker and Kendall were fed scraps but at least tried hard and have to feel for Kendall being hauled off after getting little supply from his team mates.

Maher didn’t seem happy with the boos and he shouldn’t be because is negativity once again has cost us. It’s ok playing teams like Ebbsfleet and Braintree and winning but the two games we’ve lost in the last 10 have been 3-0 to York and Barnet of which 5 goals have come from set pieces. I can take losing but there are ways to lose and to show such a lack of fight and spirit all over the pitch should be alarming to Kev and Co. I’ve said many times, I don’t think we have bad players. Yes we need to add some quality but that squad is better than what they are showing at the moment .

Today and away at York showed where we need to be next season to get out this league or have a chance. At the moment the squad, tactics and overall play is so far off. I love Kev and he deserves huge credit in the bank for what he has achieved with this squad over the past few years but I’m afraid that credit is running low. A bad performance and result next week at Dagenham will not be well received by the 1300 of us behind the goal.

Cosu need to help also and provide some funds to strengthen but then if I was an agent looking at how we play I’m not certain I’d be rushing to get my player signed up with us. NB experiment should end now. It needs to be TBV in mass in either the NB or W block. The ridiculous system in place outside in the car park is laughable. We now have to walk to the top of the car park to get out rather than nearer routes which make more sense. I was told it was to keep fans apart yet we walked either side of the barrier with the Barnet fans and then once at the top all mixed.

Walking back from the car there was a mix of both teams fans. The car park segregation is ludicrous. Anyway onto Daggers we go, I might just get really ****ed as that’s probably the best way to watch that game next week. Play like today and we will lose and badly

 

[SuperRonnieP]

Not really much to say about that than has already been said.

I’m afraid I’m inching ever closer to ‘Maher Out’ purely on the basis that, in my option, he doesn’t use the resources he has to the best ability . You can argue the starting 11, personally I would have started Morton for Miley and Bonne for Walker, everyone will always have an opinion. What I can’t fathom is Bridge at halftime, who has been poor all season, coming on as a like for like replacement when we have been completely over run 1st half. Even more baffling was taking off Kendal for Bonne. That’s not a dig at Bonne, as I think he offers more to the team than many give credit, more that we are losing and you are taking off attacking players and keeping the same system which is already failing. As someone mentioned earlier, against FGR we went 4 3 3 and at least tried something which got us back into the game, but today nothing just the same formation, same subs, same result. For that and the stubbornness to change is why I’m doubting Mather’s suitability, the same stubbornness cost Russell Martin his job at Southampton.

That's what I don't get. Should have changed shape at half time into a 4 3 3.

 

[Westy]

Worst performance I can recall in supporting for 60 years -Depressing !

 

[Ricey]

How anyone stayed to applaud that afterwards is beyond me!

 

[SuperRonnieP]

Who said anything about Harris. Just had enough of terrible Maher dross. 5 natural defenders and 2 defensive midfielders at home against Barnet is incredibly embarrassing. Teams don't even line up against Man City or Real Madrid that defensive. It's basically asking to lose a game of football.

Plenty of posters on another thread think he's the answer. Big no from me.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I'm fuming. We had a perfectly good goal disallowed, and that changed the game......not. Barnet won at a breeze, and their tactics were spot on. Now Bim has gone, we have no striker that can do it on his own. After 15 minutes, it was clear that they were targeting Gus's dodgy slow defending down that side, and the space behind him. How all 3 amigos can't see that is beyond me. We needed to go to a back four and stop them running riot down that side. You know Kev, it is O.K. to change formation or tactics if getting overrun. Defending corners, and the back post debacle, we haven't learnt a thing. The new keeper looks dodgy. Hoping for a big improvement if he plays again. The only plus for me was Golding. He looks class, and will get better with games.

 

[JD]

And then start drumming aimlessly when the west stand start singing??

I am not knocking the BV who have been great.
Clearly there needs to be a better message around either using the NB or W to keep everyone together.

 

[Shrimper4lifeCBS]

Keep checking SUFC social media channels no announcement/good news yet!!! Hopefully by tomorrow!!

 

[rlb999]

Gubbins - a load of Gubbins. Although I do like the fact he’s willing to put a cross in early/first time

I actually think he's the worst signing we've made - simply not good enough for me. Although, as you say, he can swing a ball in. LWB?

 

[Sherif H]

Plenty of posters on another thread think he's the answer. Big no from me.

The bloke has an aggregate 42% win rate in the Championship with a Club who have the fourth lowest budget in the division...

 

[Tinks]

I bought the game today and jeez wished i had saved my money
We look lustre and poor - we were just outplayed……..
Sad to see only a handful of people sitting in the NB when so much was being said regarding it being re-opened
Couldn't hear much noise on the TV but could certainly hear the Boo’s at the end

Looks more likely another season next season in this awful league and guess the proof of support will be those who decide to renew but given our performances who could blame them if they dont

 

[Jack_23]

How anyone stayed to applaud that afterwards is beyond me!

Anyone who clapped are as embarrassing as that performance imo

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

The bloke has an aggregate 42% win rate in the Championship with a Club who have the fourth lowest budget in the division...

And since he's gone, they're struggling.

 

[RHB]

I actually thought we tried to play more direct today - there was less sideways and possession - the problem was the ball didn't stick up top and we conceded possession.

Spot on. We said at half time that we needed Bonne on to win headers and keep the ball. It did happen, but way too late, I would have also swopped Bonne with Walker, not Kendall.

 

[rlb999]

The bloke has an aggregate 42% win rate in the Championship with a Club who have the fourth lowest budget in the division...

He's a bloke whose record means he'll get another job in League 1 at some point. Joining us and not succeeding would affect his ability to do that. I hence wonder how much he'd want to make the drop to the National League - home town club though we are. Barrett is a more realistic prospect for me.