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

[Spaceman Spiff]

F**K OFF RON MARTIN you are killing the club.

This bit I can agree with, however....

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Belford 8 - the man can certainly spring himself into the atmosphere, surprised he didn't acquire some moons orbiting him. Good hands aswell!

Clohessy 7 - shock he played well!

Phillips 7 - A few really important clearances and a good flick on from a "long" throw (note the speech marks) that Spicer almost scored from but denied with a good stop from the WICKUM keeper!

Creswell 8 - hard as ****.

Prosser 6 - Did his job but please think about what you are doing when in possession, Sturrock sees something in you, so be confident on the ball lad! Didn't let us down though!

Ryan Leonard 5.5 - doesn't look right, I think his injury has done something to his confidence, doesn't wanna go in hard, but still did okay at times, but nowhere near the player of last year, however I have faith!

Timlin 7 - gets stuck in, for this level he is quality! Proper number 8!

Spicer 8 - could have had a hatrick, has it all in my opinion, headers, tackles, shots, skill, pace, calmness, composure! A really good partnership is Timlin and Spicer! Compliment eachother nicely!

Hurst - Looks really strong for a winger shame he had to go off!

Straker 7 - I liked what he did to their right back, got in some good positions and plenty of pace! Back him!

Tomlin 8 - Ryan Hall who?

Assamballonga 9 MOM - handy!

Referee 3 - are you ****ing joking you useless ****ing idiot, sort it out, open your eyes you missed so many blatant decisions the only thing he did well was that he tried to let the game flow but it still didn't stop him from making some really basic easy to spot decisions completely wrong! ****ing useless!

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

I thought most players did ok today. Not been a fan of Prosser but I thought he had an excellent game, mainly because he played it simple. Not convinced by Hurst when I've seen him play. He wasn't on long today but seemed to give the ball away most of the time. The important matter is we won a much needed 3 points.

Hurst hasnt played much so give him a chance, also his corners were very good today. Him and Martin on the wings wont be a bad pairing.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Belford 8 - the man can certainly spring himself into the atmosphere, surprised he didn't acquire some moons orbiting him. Good hands aswell!

Clohessy 7 - shock he played well!

Phillips 7 - A few really important clearances and a good flick on from a "long" throw (note the speech marks) that Spicer almost scored from but denied with a good stop from the WICKUM keeper!

Creswell 8 - hard as ****.

Prosser 6 - Did his job but please think about what you are doing when in possession, Sturrock sees something in you, so be confident on the ball lad! Didn't let us down though!

Ryan Leonard 5.5 - doesn't look right, I think his injury has done something to his confidence, doesn't wanna go in hard, but still did okay at times, but nowhere near the player of last year, however I have faith!

Timlin 7 - gets stuck in, for this level he is quality! Proper number 8!

Spicer 8 - could have had a hatrick, has it all in my opinion, headers, tackles, shots, skill, pace, calmness, composure! A really good partnership is Timlin and Spicer! Compliment eachother nicely!

Hurst - Looks really strong for a winger shame he had to go off!

Straker 7 - I liked what he did to their right back, got in some good positions and plenty of pace! Back him!

Tomlin 8 - Ryan Hall who?

Assamballonga 9 MOM - handy!

Referee 3 - are you ****ing joking you useless ****ing idiot, sort it out, open your eyes you missed so many blatant decisions the only thing he did well was that he tried to let the game flow but it still didn't stop him from making some really basic easy to spot decisions completely wrong! ****ing useless!

Prosser passed to feet a lot today because players made themselves available. He had a very good game and is head and shoulders above Straker.

 

[sufc_dave]

Surely being in the top 3 nearly all season, and missing out on the play-offs would generate interest, bigger crowds and help attract better players, for the following season?

Why are we getting smaller crowds, and can't sign anybody? F**K OFF RON MARTIN you are killing the club.

You said it yourself, we missed out on the playoffs. Not many decent players will move, or stay, at a League 2 club. Whether we finish in the play-off's every single season, if we don't get promoted players aren't going to want to come.

In regards to the attendance, I put the first game down to V festival, and I must admit I thought we would have more there today. I guess a couple of bad games at the start of the season put people off. A few wins on the trot and I'm sure the crowds will start to come back

 

[kentblues]

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.

Sorry, and everyone is entitled to their opinion but this is utter nonesense. I cannot accept you were really at the game. Please put your season ticket on e-bay and I will bid for it- will do you, me and everyone else a favour.

 

[GBJ]

Bore off and support someone else then. We are in a tough place at the moment, a few short on the playing front, four or five injured and no money to spend. Get behind the team or **** off

Who are you to tell me what to do?

 

[kentblues]

What is it with you lot, 3 points and you think we are world beaters. The squad is seriously weaker than last season, and so much lacking in midfield. If Wycombe had equalised today, which they deserved then this would all be doom and gloom on here again.

We can't sign any players, the quality of football is awful, the PR of the club is pathetic and the crowds are dwindling, so I am not the only one feeling this way.

This proves it you weren't there. Belford did not have to make a single save in the entire game.

 

[kentblues]

Surely being in the top 3 nearly all season, and missing out on the play-offs would generate interest, bigger crowds and help attract better players, for the following season?

Why are we getting smaller crowds, and can't sign anybody? F**K OFF RON MARTIN you are killing the club.

Ah so its personal..

If you can't be objective don't post

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Prosser passed to feet a lot today because players made themselves available. He had a very good game and is head and shoulders above Straker.

Fair enough! I thought he was alright! I think he can progress!

Straker did well today I thought, harsh criticism on that geezer!

 

[kentblues]

Belford 7 - would have been because he didnt actaully make a single save. 7 because he comes for crosses and generally does a surprisingly good job of it.

Clohessy 6.5 - Consistent. nothing wrong and as always got forward well

Phillips 6.5 - Not at his absolute best but didn't need to be.

Creswell 7 - Good signing, good pro. Will be an asset.

Prosser 6 - Did fine defensively and is good in the air which adds to that- counteracted by the fact he is not equiped to get forward much. But he is relaible and commited.

Ryan Leonard 6 - He's a defensive minded midfielder - after all a former righ back. Keeps is tight a keeps shape but not a winger in the traditional sense. Delivers I am sure exactly waht is expected when PS puts him there.

Timlin 7.5 - no pre season so I am impreseed with his engine. Yes he gives it away occasionally but getting box to box and putting himself about he does a job. We are in L2 and you dont get that much better at this level.

Spicer 8 - this was the most comforting piece to me. Good on the ball, puts his foot in, positionally very good, good in the air and gets forward into good positions. Even if Kane was still here I honestly believe Spicer and Timlin would be first choice. Having not played with Timlin pre-season I think this could develop into a very good CM paring.

Straker 6 - Did Ok, some good runs and good pace. Needs confidence so mods please dont let him come on here.

Tomlin 8 - Very good signing. Can see why PS has been after him for a while. Control, work rate and holding the ball up/stregth all top notch at this level.

Assamballonga 6 Young lad, Watford really need to leave him here for at least a full season to develop. In fact probably best if they get him off their wage bill in Jan :winking:


Overall we continue to improve and (and I do apologize in advance) reamain very positive for the season. Should have been a lot more than 1-0.

 

[shrimperjon]

Who are you to tell me what to do?

You still on here, we don't need negative fans with pointless views like you on here! I say again support the team, get behind them or go elsewhere.

 

[McNasty]

You still on here, we don't need negative fans with pointless views like you on here! I say again support the team, get behind them or go elsewhere.

He is entitled to his opinion.

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

I thought we were really good first half, although I think it has to be said Wycombe were very poor. Second half we looked nervous. Prosser had a good 1st half, but not so in the 2nd, Im really not convinced about him at LB. Leonard has plenty of industry, but not a RM, but at the moment needs must I suppose. I dont get the Timlin bashers, guy always seems to put a shift in to me & he and Spicer are forming a good partnership in CM, although its worrying its our only CM partnership.

Pluses for me were:-

Cresswell - Immense all game
Britt - Intelligent footballer for one so young, great pace too
Spicer - Good vision, never stops running & challenging, seemed to be everywhere today & unfortunate not to get at least one goal.

Hopefully a comfortable win Tuesday against the wombles who are leaking goals left right & centre & then a few against the shower from the wrong end of the A13 on Saturday, my tip along with Barnet for relegation.

3 out of 3 & the confidence will be flowing..:smile:

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

the crowds are dwindling, so I am not the only one feeling this way.

Surely being in the top 3 nearly all season, and missing out on the play-offs would generate interest, bigger crowds for the following season?

Why are we getting smaller crowds? F**K OFF RON MARTIN you are killing the club.

It seems to me that you have left your expectations in the days we were in League 1 and the Championship and not yet woken up to the fact that we are currently a League 2 team. Of course crowds are going to be smaller than they were a few years ago! But I don't think today's attendance of 4,787 is all bad news. It is actually an increase on our last home game and the second highest attendance we have played in front of - home and away - all season.

Compare this attendance with the crowd figures for the first home League game in September in previous years. Yes, it is down compared to the comparable match last year (Northampton Town) - but only by 18 people! This is the 14th season we have spent in the fourth tier over the last 30 years, yet this is the 4th highest attendance for the first home League game in September at this level during that time. Other than those extra 18 mentioned above, only 2010 (Torquay United) and a derby match against Leyton Orient in 2001 can beat it. It is even a higher attendance than that achieved at the first home League match in September for three of our six seasons in what is now the Championship during the 1990s.

If you want a small crowd, then I'll take you back to 10 September 1984, when we drew 1-1 with Darlington in the 4th Division in front of just 1,902 people. We're a long way off that.

 

[Jai]

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.

Off the ball, Timlin was superb. His work rate was indeed key to the strong first half display, Wycombe couldn't get their game going because Timlin simply didn't allow them the time.

On the ball, unfortunately he misplaced a few passes. But if he is going to be the terrier and Spicer the craftsman, that suits me down to the ground.

 

[Medway Blue]

I came home delighted today but I put half of that down to the fact that my expectations and enthusiasm were ridiculously low beforehand. That's not to take anything away from the performance, which I thought was good but not brilliant. First half was impressive, second half sat back as usual but they all looked up for it, dug their heels in and worked hard for each other.

I was pleased with the centre back pairing, which looked solid and strong in the air and will only get better as it gels more. Clohessy was his usual self. Prosser does worry me though.

In midfield, again for a partnership which is still gelling and finding its feet, I thought the pairing in the middle was decent and a good understanding is developing. Timlin did the off the ball work with the harrying, closing down and tackling and Spicer looked to craft openings on the ball (which Timlin does unfortunately appear to be poor at). I thought they had control of the midfield battle without being dominant. I do have concerns about those two struggling when we come up against a better team which plays it through the middle. The need for an anchorman/holding midfielder might come into play there.

Hurst looked good until he went off and swung some good crosses in, Straker showed what he can do going forward but Leonard looked a little lost.

Up top, Britt and Tomlin looked good. Tomlin just doesn't stop running, has a bit of flair with the ball at his feet and a superb first touch and Britt is a nightmare to play against.

Not sure what game people who think Wycombe deserved a point were watching. They were a poor team, only registered one shot on target and never looked as dangerous going forward as Blues did.

A direct style was still the name of the game but it wasn't played as long and things were mixed up a bit. The aimless lumps forward were much less frequent up until the last 25 minutes and in that respect perhaps a target man isn't quite as essential as is being made out. Where we do need a taller striker is when the ball is coming into the box from the wings. Blues peppered the Wycombe box with crosses - Clohessy, Straker, Hurst, Leonard and Tomlin all contributing in that sense. But there was no tall striker to get his head on them. We'd have scored a few more with Corr getting his head on a couple of those crosses. Failing that, when Eastwood is fit, with his finishing prowess inside the box I'd expect him to be smashing in some of those loose balls that came about after no-one was able to get on the end of a cross.

I feel that there is a basis there for a strong squad. If Eastwood gets fit, Hurst recovers and Hall is convinced to get his head down til Jan, then I think our starting 11 and maybe our match day squad is actualky stronger than last season. Eastwood/Harris/Tomlin/Britt/Benyon/Corr to choose from up top, Hurst/Hall/Martin/Tomlin/Straker/Leonard/Britt to choose from out wide. I think those options are similar if not stronger to what we had last season. Timlin and Spicer are as strong a pairing as any we had last season, but we are seriously lacking strength in depth and the ability to mix it up in central midfield. We had 4 very different central midfielders last season, which gave the ability to mix it up based on the opposition/venue etc., but there's no scope to do that at the moment and this must be addressed.

For me, whilst we are short on numbers, lacking strength in depth and struggling with injuries, a fully-fit match day squad for us at the moment is certainly no weaker than it was last season. There is a very good basis there for a successful squad, with scope for a few loan additions in a week's time.

Belford 6 Had nothing to do.

Clohessy 7 Dependable and consistent.
Phillips 7 Strong in the air and on the ground, marshalled defence well.
Cresswell 7 Ditto.
Prosser 5 Caught out of position, poor in possession, slow/lacking bravery in challenges and missed interceptions which almost cost us goals.

Hurst - Too little time to give a rating but will be a creative asset when fit and bedded in.
Timlin 6 Did the donkey work, got his foot in and harried/closed down the opposition but disappointing in possession.
Spicer 7 Put in a good shift, worked hard and passed well.
Leonard 5 Anonymous and looked uncomfortable but there is a good footballer in there.

Britt 8 So quick, chased down and harried Wycombe's defence and was menacing with ball at feet. Looked like a bitch to defend against.
Tomlin 8 Quick, strong and held the ball up well, spotted some good passes and has a great first touch. Would like to see him play in the box more and get some goals.

Subs:
Straker 7 Has struggled defensively recently because he is told to play in a different way which affects his game wen he should just be left to play his own game which looked tidy in pre-season. Looked dangerous on the left today, good when running with ball at feet, quick and got lots of crosses in. Impressed.
Harris - Didn't have long enough on the pitch to make an impact.

 

[GBJ]

You still on here, we don't need negative fans with pointless views like you on here! I say again support the team, get behind them or go elsewhere.

Again, who are you to tell me what to do? I'll have whatever opinion I want, and there's absolutely **** all you can about it

 

[Jim Stannard]

What is it with you lot, 3 points and you think we are world beaters.

Can't see anyone saying we're world beaters? Just quite a few people pleased with the first win of the season. Fair enough I think.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

You still on here, we don't need negative fans with pointless views like you on here! I say again support the team, get behind them or go elsewhere.

Again, who are you to tell me what to do? I'll have whatever opinion I want, and there's absolutely **** all you can about it

"Everyone has the right to believe anything they want.
And everyone else has the right to find it ****ing ridiculous." - Gervais

Still really pleased with yesterday's hard working performance.