Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers

[Massimo Giovanni]

An ok performance against a confused Wycombe who looked particularly clueless in the 1st half; their half time changes meant 2nd 53 minutes was more even. Britt had best game, Spicer and Timlin seem to have an understanding, Belford better at high balls. Tomlin MUST try a shot on target soon as it wastes all his good work. Prosser repeated his usual faults of wandering infield, too late tackles and giving the ball away with hoofs which make us look vulnerable down the left. Straker seemed to get better as he got more confident. Very fussy ref.

 

[Welly7]

Without exaggerating, he must of completed about 2-3 passes all afternoon. A couple of times we broke on the counter attack & his inaccurate passing let us down. Even when in space, with time, he was managing to pass to the opposition. I can't see what he offers going forward?

He makes himself look busy, but I can't see what else he brings to the table. And that's not based solely on today's showing.

I really rated Timlin when he arrived on loan but went off him the more the season went on. No doubt about it, he was awful vs Crewe in play offs and his continual misplaced forward passing was so frustrating.
All I'm saying is I was impressed with his workrate and commitment, especially in the first half, that seemed to act as a yardstick for others. Was his passing better than before? No, but I was pleased with the effort that has to be admired after no pre-season.
I agree with you that he needs to offer more forwards and hope he can recapture his loan form sooner rather than later. Could and should be more influential for us. A few more 90 mins and he's got to deliver.

 

[dannypav]

Thought the first half was good but teh second a little edgy and lacked cohesion.
Defence was very solid - Belford handled well , Clohessy was excellent , as was Cresswell and Phillips.
I also thought Prosser had a good game - ok he mistimed a couple of tackles , but his height is a benefit and was really committed.
Timlin and Spicer played well , but think against a dominant midfield we will be outmuscled , so this area remains a worry.
Hurst - injured , so not sure but looks to put in a good ball.
Tomlin and Britt worked really hard today and never stopped running , which IMO was the catalyst to Wycombe having to rush and pump aimless balls - really good work from these two.
The only disappointment for me was Leonard.
He's not vocal enough and doesn't look for the ball enough.
I know he's young etc , but he needs to impose himself more.
The other thing to mention was the team effort and work rate - this was excellent.
After all the fuss and uncertainty , they could have folded today , but didn't - really good spirit.

 

[Jam_Man]

We, unlike Col U and Orient, got our first win of the season. Nuff said :smile:

 

[ian180]

Impressed with first half display which should have ended wiith Southend more than the one goal ahead against a ordinary looking Wycombe side.

Second half we should have been out of sight but could not put the ball in the net which allowed Wycombe to still be in the game, and resulted in Southend hanging on at the end.

Assombalonga, Cresswell and Timlin the pick of the team for me.

Stuart Attwell - As expected!!

 

[sufc_dave]

Belford 6.5 - Didn't have to much to contend with, but I think he did really well when called upon. Handled the ball very well today.

Clohessey 6.5 - Pretty solid. Run the line pretty well.

Phillips 6.5 - Won headers well. Few mistakes but generally pretty good.

Cresswell 7.5 - Worked hard. Unlucky not to get a goal in the first half, with a shot going just over the bar. Looks like a decent signing.

Prosser 6 - A couple of errors but generally OK.

Spicer 6 - Was OK. Looks like he has the potential to be a good player. Would describe him as average today, but would like to see more of him in the team to see how he progresses.

Timlin 6 - Again, an average display to be honest. Didn't start of the game to well and misjudged a few headers, lost the ball a bit, but he looked more than willing to try and win the ball back after losing it, which he did so on many occasions.

Hurst 5 - Didn't rate him to much whilst he was on. Seemed to misplace a fair few passes.

Leonard 5 - Average.

Tomlin 7.5 - Worked hard for the team, looks like a good player. Won the ball a lot, and looks like he will do well this season.

Assombalonga 9 - Fantastic display by the lad. Worked tirelessly for the entire game. Great goal, was harder than what it looked to score that one. 2 in 2 for him now, reckon he can score a lot for us.

Subs
Straker 4 - Terrible. Lost the ball a lot. Could not get a decent cross in. Scuffed a chance in the 1st half.

Harris N/A - Good touch when he came on, other than that he didnt have enough time to do anything.

 

[tommy tucker]

far better all round game than our first home game but that would not be hard .Every one put in a shift today .I would like to see brit for a season long loan to give him games which he wont get at Watford . He could well be the shining light to our season runs the lines well big and strong . Spicer will be a great signing his passing game is good a tough tackling midfield player .Tomlin also has good vison will replace hall just needs to get his crossing a little more pinpoint .Once he breakes his duck on the scoreing frount i feel then he will score a lot more .:thumbsup:

 

[JoshC]

First game this season and I have to say I think we look a better team than last season but just lacked the individual class that the likes of Mohsni, hall and Eastwood bring, I just think we're a couple of players away from a very competitive team. As for individual performances, thought spicer looked very promising in the middle as well as the front 2.

 

[shrimperjon]

Just for the record, for all those having a go at Timlin especially at the end of last season the guy had a nasty shoulder injury that required an op in the summer. He has had no preseason so I think he has done pretty well to even be completing 90 mins. Why after a win do people need to come on here and criticise. Get behind the team.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Awful performance for me, dull, boring match. Despite the welcome 3 points, I am so not bothered by the football club at all at the moment, only going out of habit and the fact that I have already paid.

Sturrock says we are looking at 4 players yesterday, also needed a target man the week before that, and nothing at all. Midfield made up of 2 full backs. A squad of 16 players, rumours of non payment of wages again, no stadium still. 1 or 2 injuries/suspensions and we have no chance.

Lucky to hang on to the lead, as a poor Wycombe team pegged us back in the last 30 minutes, where we just lumped the ball in the air and gave it away.

Our best player was a not ours, and Assambalonga is destined for greater things than SUFC.

Were some positive points. Thought Belford played well (oh not our player either), and came out for crosses when he needed to. Clohessey was his usual self (surprised he didn't go yesterday to a club that pays wages), and Tomlin looked positive, but had little goal threat.

Spicer tried to pass the ball a bit, but him and Timlin were losing the midfield battle at times.

We are fortunate that we have a couple of easier games in Wimbledon and Daggers coming up, but then we have another tough run after that.

With the current squad out there today and the endless list of crocks (Eastwood/Corr/Martin/Hurst) without at least 3 loanees we will have gone from top 3 and title contenders to bottom half material.

 

[onceknownasrab]

Awful performance for me, dull, boring match. Despite the welcome 3 points, I am so not bothered by the football club at all at the moment, only going out of habit and the fact that I have already paid.

Sturrock says we are looking at 4 players yesterday, also needed a target man the week before that, and nothing at all. Midfield made up of 2 full backs. A squad of 16 players, rumours of non payment of wages again, no stadium still. 1 or 2 injuries/suspensions and we have no chance.

Lucky to hang on to the lead, as a poor Wycombe team pegged us back in the last 30 minutes, where we just lumped the ball in the air and gave it away.

Our best player was a not ours, and Assambalonga is destined for greater things than SUFC.

Were some positive points. Thought Belford played well (oh not our player either), and came out for crosses when he needed to. Clohessey was his usual self (surprised he didn't go yesterday to a club that pays wages), and Tomlin looked positive, but had little goal threat.

Spicer tried to pass the ball a bit, but him and Timlin were losing the midfield battle at times.

We are fortunate that we have a couple of easier games in Wimbledon and Daggers coming up, but then we have another tough run after that.

With the current squad out there today and the endless list of crocks (Eastwood/Corr/Martin/Hurst) without at least 3 loanees we will have gone from top 3 and title contenders to bottom half material.

Well it is all about opinions. I hope you don't get too lonely with your ultra negative one.

 

[JoshC]

Awful performance for me, dull, boring match. Despite the welcome 3 points, I am so not bothered by the football club at all at the moment, only going out of habit and the fact that I have already paid.

Sturrock says we are looking at 4 players yesterday, also needed a target man the week before that, and nothing at all. Midfield made up of 2 full backs. A squad of 16 players, rumours of non payment of wages again, no stadium still. 1 or 2 injuries/suspensions and we have no chance.

Lucky to hang on to the lead, as a poor Wycombe team pegged us back in the last 30 minutes, where we just lumped the ball in the air and gave it away.

Our best player was a not ours, and Assambalonga is destined for greater things than SUFC.

Were some positive points. Thought Belford played well (oh not our player either), and came out for crosses when he needed to. Clohessey was his usual self (surprised he didn't go yesterday to a club that pays wages), and Tomlin looked positive, but had little goal threat.

Spicer tried to pass the ball a bit, but him and Timlin were losing the midfield battle at times.

We are fortunate that we have a couple of easier games in Wimbledon and Daggers coming up, but then we have another tough run after that.

With the current squad out there today and the endless list of crocks (Eastwood/Corr/Martin/Hurst) without at least 3 loanees we will have gone from top 3 and title contenders to bottom half material.

Cant say 4 is an endless list....
You seem to understand the money problems we have at the moment yet you moan that we haven't signed anyone?

 

[rlb999]

Awful performance for me, dull, boring match. Despite the welcome 3 points, I am so not bothered by the football club at all at the moment, only going out of habit and the fact that I have already paid.

Sturrock says we are looking at 4 players yesterday, also needed a target man the week before that, and nothing at all. Midfield made up of 2 full backs. A squad of 16 players, rumours of non payment of wages again, no stadium still. 1 or 2 injuries/suspensions and we have no chance.

Lucky to hang on to the lead, as a poor Wycombe team pegged us back in the last 30 minutes, where we just lumped the ball in the air and gave it away.

Our best player was a not ours, and Assambalonga is destined for greater things than SUFC.

Were some positive points. Thought Belford played well (oh not our player either), and came out for crosses when he needed to. Clohessey was his usual self (surprised he didn't go yesterday to a club that pays wages), and Tomlin looked positive, but had little goal threat.

Spicer tried to pass the ball a bit, but him and Timlin were losing the midfield battle at times.

We are fortunate that we have a couple of easier games in Wimbledon and Daggers coming up, but then we have another tough run after that.

With the current squad out there today and the endless list of crocks (Eastwood/Corr/Martin/Hurst) without at least 3 loanees we will have gone from top 3 and title contenders to bottom half material.

Sounds like the realities of league 2 football are proving a bit much for you. Imagine if you supported Rushden? Get the train to Upton Park - they've signed a few decent players and look like they may have a decent season.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Could've won 6 or 7-0 to be honest. One of those games where the longer it stays 1-0 the longer you worry the opposition are going to punish you for not taking your chances but fortunately Wycombe were completely pants. A better team would've punished us. They put us under some pressure towards the end but never really looked like scoring, don't remember Belford having a save to make. We dominated for the first 60 minutes, started both halves really well and their defence was all over the shop. Their 2 centre-backs couldn't cope with Tomlin and Assombalonga's pace. Britt was probably MoTM, put himself about and held the ball up really well considering he was being manhandled by Docherty all game (which the ref ignored). Wouldn't mind his loan being extended, it's not like he'll get a game at Watford with all these Italians coming in. Spicer and Timlin got forward well - normally it's your wingers who are your two most attacking midfielders but today it was our central midfielders with Leonard playing quite defensively and tucking in a lot and Straker picking his moments to get forward. Spicer could've scored a hat-trick but at least he got in those positions and Timlin got stuck in in the middle (don't know why someone has said he's awful). Straker could've also bagged a couple. Prosser had a couple of hairy moments but made some good tackles and interceptions, Phillips and Cresswell were really solid at the back and Belford dealt with Wycombe's late aerial bombardment very well. Thought that Harris should've come on sooner. Good team display and well-deserved win which should've been by a lot more. Can't help but think that Moshni and Hall would've taken some of the chances we had today. Good atmosphere in the North Bank too, helped by the fact there was a decent away following for once. Even got the West stand joining in at one point.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Still have Freddy to come in that is a positive but we certainly need 2 extra bodies in midfield. Not impressed by either Leonard or Straker today and Timlin looks like he could pick up a few yellows. Some games we will need to go 3 in centre midfield. Wycombe were **** poor and we will not come across such a poor defence all season I would hazard a guess.

 

[Fairport]

Assambalonga was the brightest thing about todays match. This looked a typical Division 2 game with neither side looking like promotion hopefuls. Using last seasons promoted teams as a yardstick, Swindon, Crewe, Shrewsbury and Crawley, we look well short of that standard at the moment. The positives, were Assambalonga's performance and also the team played with commitment. On the downside, we sadly miss the quality of Hall, Mohsni, Grant and Ferdinand. It is also worrying that the team seems full of players who do not have good goalscoring records. It is hard to see where the next goal is coming from a midfielder. Timlin may grab a few but Leonard, Spicer and Hurst rarely find the net. We have had non goalscoring midfielders in the past but people such as Grant and Maher are far better players than what we have now. We also need a left back! Luke Prosser does not inspire any confidence whatsoever! Lets hope that the club can do a deal with Watford to keep Britt Assambalonga for much longer.

 

[GBJ]

Just for the record, for all those having a go at Timlin especially at the end of last season the guy had a nasty shoulder injury that required an op in the summer. He has had no preseason so I think he has done pretty well to even be completing 90 mins. Why after a win do people need to come on here and criticise. Get behind the team.

I think he's done well to play the amount games he has. Pro footballer? When is the last time you saw a "pro" who couldn't control a ball? Or pass to an intended target?
No. If there's a need to criticise, then let criticism reign!!:thumbsup:

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Belford 7 Not much to do, most of the time looked convincing
Clohessy 7 Not his best performance but did nothing wrong
Cresswell 8 Won every header and was solid at the back, and threatening at set pieces
Phillips 6 Bit shakey at times, but never dangerously so
Prosser 5 Hoofed it and dived into tackles needlessly
Leonard 6 Didn't really influence the game at all
Spicer 8 Several good chances that he maybe should've scored, but worked hard
Timlin 7 Worked hard in the middle and was everywhere, some good challenges
Hurst 6 The odd good cross but lost possession needlessly, didn't have long
Tomlin 8 Pacey and threatening, should've shot late on but did well
Assombalonga 9 Terrified them with his pace and got on the end of as much as he could
Subs
Straker 7 Got forward well, could tell he was out of position but that's to be expected
Harris 6 Wasn't on for long but pressured well

Ref 4 Shockingly inconsistent, don't understand how he could go from not giving a foul until the linesman flagged to then booking Timlin without consulting the linesman

Assomnalonga scares the life out of defences, would love to keep him here. Fantastic bit of trickery in the second half at the bye line

 

[Maidstone Shrimper]

[h=2][/h]

A good first half where I thought we played to our forwards strengths and was disappointed not to be two up. As the second half went on we got pushed back, our midfield was very deep leaving the strikers isolated and we resorted to those familiar long hopeful balls in the air. None the less we had chances to bury the game second half but in true Southend form it looked at times as though we could throw away a couple of points. A much better performance than I'd expected after the transfer gloom.

Belford 8 Did everything that was expected and made some great catches from high crosses when we were under pressure second half.
Clohessy 7 A steady performance as usual
Cresswell 8 Very strong, committed and dangerous from corners
Phillips 7 Found it easy in the air today but did struggle on the ground a bit
Prosser 7 I thought he had a good game, especially with his use of the ball 1st half. Not so assured after the break.
Leonard 4 He's a handy squad player perhaps as right back cover but he still seems out of his depth at right midfield. Should have been subbed earlier as he was signalling to the bench he was struggling some time before then.
Spicer 7 Worked hard, looked the part but should have buried one of his chances
Timlin 7 Another grafting performance with some intelligent runs and really pressurised the opposition.
Hurst 6 OK but not great. Again, worked hard but expected better from him at times.
Tomlin 8 Lively and shows great control, turned a lumbering Wycombe defence inside out, despite no help from the ref. Wonder if he would have scored had Harris not been selfish near the end.
Assombalonga 8 Scored a goal and terrified his markers, especially first half. Not so impressive second half but didn't get the service.
Straker 7 Had an iffy first five minutes or so but then impressed. He's very quick and surprisingly good in the air, producing a good save from the Wycombe keeper first half. Did well out of position ... or is it his best position?
Harris 6 Probably should have come on sooner ... thought he should have passed instead of producing a feeble shot near the end.
​

 

[Angell Delight]

Timlin is awful

This is a joke right? Both he and Spicer played very well today and looked a good partnership.