Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 1-0 AFC Wimbledon

[manor15]

Hard fought but a good win. We started superbly, then lost control and were perhaps a tad fortunate to go in at half time at 0-0. Second half we were solid, didn't really have much of a goal threat and were lucky with the goal but it was the kind of ball into the box that we haven't seen enough of. Then did well to see it out.

Oxley 7 One great save, solid enough though perhaps could have come out on one or two occasions for aerial balls
Demetriou 7 Linked up very well with Wright, probably in his best run of form since he joined
Ferdinand 6 Unbelievably slow and turns slower than the QE2, a shadow of his former self as he looked panicked when they target him for pressing
Kyprianou 7 Would have been an 8 as he was brilliant, but still had two or three flash moments where his inexperience shows with a rash challenge or poor pass
Timlin 6 Woeful first half, big improvement in the second and looked far more comfortable in the middle
Wright 7.5 Brilliant debut, linked up with Demetriou like they'd played together for years, some much needed creativity
Wordsworth 7 Some great flicks and passes, clearly still building fitness but he's key to our turnaround in form
Leonard 7 Battled hard and was the engine in the middle in a physical battle
McLaughlin 7 Looked to get at them, not a lot came off but he was in the right positions and making the right runs
Cox 6 I know we're playing him deep on purpose but can't help but feel that his talents are wasted there, was growing into the game before he was taken off
Ranger 8 Won everything in the air, gave them real problems, just need someone to run onto those

Subs
Robinson 5 First touch of a donkey which is a shame as he makes superb runs then blows it with his touch
McGlashan 6 Pace, needlessly gave up the ball on occasions
White 6 A bit more solid

Thought Wimbledon were a decent side, very industrious and very fit. A bit lower League in style but we adapted to that and matched them in every department. On another day with different luck then they're the winners tonight.

Promising display and will be good to build confidence, which was clearly flowing at the start of the game tonight. Add in Coker at left-back and we should be up there come the end of the season.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Not a great game to watch (on ifollow) but I'm more than happy with the 3 points.:happy:

 

[Ex-Member1]

Happy Days. Onwards and upwards. COYBB

 

[Leoblue]

Good result against a hard working team. 5,800, that's poor.

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

Hard fought but a good win. We started superbly, then lost control and were perhaps a tad fortunate to go in at half time at 0-0. Second half we were solid, didn't really have much of a goal threat and were lucky with the goal but it was the kind of ball into the box that we haven't seen enough of. Then did well to see it out.

Oxley 7 One great save, solid enough though perhaps could have come out on one or two occasions for aerial balls
Demetriou 7 Linked up very well with Wright, probably in his best run of form since he joined
Ferdinand 6 Unbelievably slow and turns slower than the QE2, a shadow of his former self as he looked panicked when they target him for pressing
Kyprianou 7 Would have been an 8 as he was brilliant, but still had two or three flash moments where his inexperience shows with a rash challenge or poor pass
Timlin 6 Woeful first half, big improvement in the second and looked far more comfortable in the middle
Wright 8 Brilliant debut, linked up with Demetriou like they'd played together for years, some much needed creativity
Wordsworth 7 Some great flicks and passes, clearly still building fitness but he's key to our turnaround in form
Leonard 7 Battled hard and was the engine in the middle in a physical battle
McLaughlin 7 Looked to get at them, not a lot came off but he was in the right positions and making the right runs
Cox 6 I know we're playing him deep on purpose but can't help but feel that his talents are wasted there, was growing into the game before he was taken off
Ranger 9 Won everything in the air, gave them real problems, just need someone to run onto those

Subs
Robinson 5 First touch of a donkey which is a shame as he makes superb runs then blows it with his touch
McGlashan 6 Pace, needlessly gave up the ball on occasions
White 6 A bit more solid

Thought Wimbledon were a decent side, very industrious and very fit. A bit lower League in style but we adapted to that and matched them in every department. On another day with different luck then they're the winners tonight.

Promising display and will be good to build confidence, which was clearly flowing at the start of the game tonight. Add in Coker at left-back and we should be up there come the end of the season.

Think 9 for Ranger is a bit generous!:omg:

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Not a great game to watch (on ifollow) but I'm more than happy with the 3 points.:happy:

Was Wright offside for his goal? Didn't look it from the south upper but you would have had a better view on ifollow. Also, that was a penalty all day long on McGlashan. Right in front of us it was and blatant penalty. Ref put his whistle to his mouth, looked at the assistant and took it away. Assistant wasn't in a position to see it properly so the ref should have given it

 

[RHB]

We started as we finished against Fleetwood, but for some unfathomable reason we decided it would make more sense to lump the ball forward to Ranger and Cox at head height or higher and thoughts of playing the ball around on the ground were lost the longer the first half went on. Ferdinand just wasn't on his game in the first half, and although Kyprianou showed some nice touches and good interceptions, he also gave away the ball in some seriously dangerous positions and tried to play difficult passes instead of easy ones. Timlin is obviously retaining his place, but it does seem a bit strange when we had two specialist full backs on the bench that Brown decided to continue with Timlin at left back. Anyway, 0-0 at half time and for that I was grateful, especially as Woody decided to see how close he could go for an OG without actually achieving it. Thank God for the post I say.

The second half saw more determination from the Blues but Wimbledon had no intention of laying down and letting us walk all over them, in fact their No 33, Taylor, was probably the best player on the park in my view, he was everywhere. I must be honest, when Demi scored in the 60th min I was really surprised, very pleased, but surprised. We just hadn't looked like scoring up until then. After that Wimbledon gave us a severe examination and they had a goal disallowed shortly after ours. Luckily their finishing was as wayward as ours. Was it a penalty against McGlash? we all thought so, but the ref had other ideas. We were treated to another cameo from Theo but his finishing leaves a lot to be desired. Anyway, we kept a clean sheet and achieved three points so I mustn't be too critical. Blackpool next.

A couple of thoughts on Wright and Ferdinand, Wright gave us another dimension which has been missing from our game and he looked very much at home on the right hand side. So I wonder where PB will play Kighty when he is fit? And as for Anton, does our captain need a few weeks rest?

 

[Little Blue Rooster]

I'd give ranger MOTM to be honest thought he was a real handful for there defence and he was clearing a lot of their set pieces

 

[manor15]

Think 9 for Ranger is a bit generous!:omg:

So do I, but I thought Wright was better than the rest and Ranger was better than him, maybe a 7.5 and an 8 is more appropriate!

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Hard fought but a good win. We started superbly, then lost control and were perhaps a tad fortunate to go in at half time at 0-0. Second half we were solid, didn't really have much of a goal threat and were lucky with the goal but it was the kind of ball into the box that we haven't seen enough of. Then did well to see it out.

Oxley 7 One great save, solid enough though perhaps could have come out on one or two occasions for aerial balls
Demetriou 7 Linked up very well with Wright, probably in his best run of form since he joined
Ferdinand 6 Unbelievably slow and turns slower than the QE2, a shadow of his former self as he looked panicked when they target him for pressing
Kyprianou 7 Would have been an 8 as he was brilliant, but still had two or three flash moments where his inexperience shows with a rash challenge or poor pass
Timlin 6 Woeful first half, big improvement in the second and looked far more comfortable in the middle
Wright 8 Brilliant debut, linked up with Demetriou like they'd played together for years, some much needed creativity
Wordsworth 7 Some great flicks and passes, clearly still building fitness but he's key to our turnaround in form
Leonard 7 Battled hard and was the engine in the middle in a physical battle
McLaughlin 7 Looked to get at them, not a lot came off but he was in the right positions and making the right runs
Cox 6 I know we're playing him deep on purpose but can't help but feel that his talents are wasted there, was growing into the game before he was taken off
Ranger 9 Won everything in the air, gave them real problems, just need someone to run onto those

Subs
Robinson 5 First touch of a donkey which is a shame as he makes superb runs then blows it with his touch
McGlashan 6 Pace, needlessly gave up the ball on occasions
White 6 A bit more solid

Thought Wimbledon were a decent side, very industrious and very fit. A bit lower League in style but we adapted to that and matched them in every department. On another day with different luck then they're the winners tonight.

Promising display and will be good to build confidence, which was clearly flowing at the start of the game tonight. Add in Coker at left-back and we should be up there come the end of the season.

Absolutely delightful ball from Kyprianou to Robinson late on, shame Robinson couldn't finish.

I really like Kyprianou, does a great job at CB, always so composed and gives 100% into everything. Sometimes his passes don't meet the target but he has good vision in the passes he makes

 

[Jam_Man]

Started well, but their five man midfield stifled us and killed all service to the front two.

In the past that would have led to a draw or loss so 3 points especially after our recent form is the main thing.

Absolutely delightful ball from Kyprianou to Robinson late on, shame Robinson couldn't finish.

I really like Kyprianou, don't a great job at CB, always so composed and gives essential 100% into everything. Sometimes his passes don't meet the target but he has good vision in the passes he makes

Still young and makes the odd mistake but does look very composed and doesn't look anything like a full back to me, so think centre half is certainly his position.

 

[leeblue]

A win is a win is a win.
The first fifteen minutes we played some really nice football without creating anything...then Wimbledon got into the game and threatened far more than we did...hitting the post...missing a sitter of a header and forcing oxley into a good reaction save. We stopped playing the football and got into some long ball stuff.
Second half we went one up...and went 4 5 1...proceeded to hang in there. Couple of chances fell to Theo Robinson.....im still laughing at the 2nd one he blasted over from close range. He is pretty awful....he can run fast though.
Josh Wright looks a good player...
Lenny is still our best player...
We need fit CBs big time

 

[united we stand]

Think 9 for Ranger is a bit generous!:omg:

I think you are being overly polite,

 

[shrimperjon]

Must have been at a different game to others. Cant see how Ranger is getting an 8 or 9. Thought he was poor tonight. After the first 15 mins he barely won anything, but granted the supply line was poor

other than that a very good three points, but not a great performance but againt a very tough physical side

thought kyprianou was very good, but would put him at left back saturday and white at CB. Think Timo
needs a break. Not his fault, but not a LB

 

[Evening Echo]

Match report: Southend United 1, AFC Wimbledon 0

JASON Demetriou’s second goal in three games handed Southend United a narrow and nervy 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon at Roots Hall tonight.

More...

 

[amsemp]

Oxley 6 - not much to do but made a couple of good saves.
Demetriou 6 - not too bad, crossing is awful.
Ferdinand 6 - few hairy moments but otherwise solid.
Kyprianou 8 MOTM - solid, commanding and confident. Some beautiful passes towards the end.
Timlin 5 - absolutely not a left back. Liability in the first half.
Wright 7 - some nice touches and passing. Playing him right midfield was a bit of a square peg in a round hole though.
Leonard 7 - broke up play well and a few good surging runs.
Wordsworth 6 - relatively quiet game but more minutes under his belt as he gets back to fitness.
McLaughlin 6 - tried to play some good stuff but didn't happen for him.
Ranger 7 - stood his ground against some tight marking and won plenty of personal battles.
Cox 6 - couldn't get in the game but was mostly feeding off scraps.

Robinson 5 - looks totally different to last season. Doesn't look up to it.
McGlashan 6 - ran at tired legs and made a nuisance of himself. Poor end product again.
White 6 - shored things up towards the end and did what was required to see us over the line.

Few observations - Timlin playing left back whilst Hendrie sits on the bench is criminal. Kyprianou is absolutely fantastic and must keep his place going forward (could it be that the ball playing centre back we wanted all summer was right under our noses the whole time? Extra points for being young and hungry too). Lastly, Demetriou and McGlashan couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Every cross seems to hit the first man or fall just short. When you've got Ranger in the box waiting to get his head on them to score or knock it down for Cox, it really isn't good enough.

All in all, a welcome 3 points. Onwards and upwards.

 

[RobM]

"Wright 7 - some nice touches and passing. Playing him right midfield was a bit of a square peg in a round hole though."

But who to give way for him? It's a good problem to have...

 

[bazzashrimper]

A good 3 points against the hardest working team I've seen for a long time. I don't think we deserved to win, buy hey ho.

As they worked so hard we had no time on the ball and reverted to hoof ball for the most part. The game was crying out for pace up top to force their back line back and create more space, so bringing on Robinson was a no brainer, and for cox who was rounded on by 2 or 3 players whenever he got the ball.

I thought wright did really well, and ranger battled particularly hard and defended set pieces brilliantly. For me, motm was Lenny. He won the ball so many times, made some good decisions on the ball and looked to get it down and play during the first half head tennis. There was one slip when defending, but other than that he was outstanding tonight.

 

[amsemp]

"Wright 7 - some nice touches and passing. Playing him right midfield was a bit of a square peg in a round hole though."

But who to give way for him? It's a good problem to have...

Difficult one really. If we're playing 4-4-2 then in my opinion, you can't fit Leonard, Wordsworth and Wright in the same team. Playing 4-3-3 with those three in the three man midfield would work, but I see us maintaining 4-4-2 going forward. Will be interesting once Kightly is back. I assume Wright will drop to the bench.

 

[bazzashrimper]

Difficult one really. If we're playing 4-4-2 then in my opinion, you can't fit Leonard, Wordsworth and Wright in the same team. Playing 4-3-3 with those three in the three man midfield would work, but I see us maintaining 4-4-2 going forward. Will be interesting once Kightly is back. I assume Wright will drop to the bench.

I think macca will be benched