Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 1-3 Gateshead

[Colchester and proud!]

It wasn't good, that's for sure but Gateshead looked a far better side and their 19 and 10 were very useful down the left. Our left is Bridgey........and now, I'm afraid, that doesn't give us much. He's invariably facing two defenders and rarely tricks his way through any more. Crosses are rarely much better than mediocre, especially from corners. I prefer him roving in central midfield now. We gave them/they found too much space all over the pitch and once again we faced a team who had no concept of ****ing around at the back just going across the field before it goes back to the keeper. They played it around and then drove forward. KAF my MOTM but of course GSM remains G.O.D. I may be wrong but I think we had a shot.........so that is progress as we are NOT going to walk the ball into the back of the net whatever we think. Kev said we are team rebuilding and I think that's fair enough. But there are some who don't show the effort or courage to warrant being part of that rebuild. PS Unless Morton was injured, then I'm afraid it would have been Walker on for Bonne. Anyway...onwards. PPS I know there is a risk of knocking his confidence but I'm afraid Colin needs to be pulled aside and told to cut out the ****/indifferent balls out of the area or he will on the bench. Better one man demoralised than the other ten because of a careless error. COYB!

Number 19 was Luke Hannant ex Col U and also a league two title winner with Cambridge.

 

[40yearsafan]

- Agree we are mid table fodder at the moment, but we have a club and I took my boy to see us lose 3-1 and it feels ****ing brilliant. Won’t last forever but for this season that’s all that matters for me. Don’t care if the moany brigade have a pop but that’s the fact, we have a club.

Absolutely this. I really didn't think we would start this season. I took two of my grandsons today, the youngest for his first game. Seeing him, enjoying himself despite the result, 56 years after I saw Billy Best score 4 at my first game was enough for me.

 

[Tampa Blue]

Not from where I was sitting, Colin (who had a shocker again) clearly got the ball. Be interested to see the highlights to see if my opinion changes.

Watched it again at 0.25 speed on the 'highlights' and never a penalty - clearly plays the ball first. Idiot ref has a clear view as well and still gets it wrong.

 

[in the know]

Always watch the players warm up, usually from close to the away team. I find you can see the type of game you're up against by the size speed and specifically the drills the opposition do. One particular drill today had 2 of their players opposite sides of around a 6yd distance. Properly smashing balls fast balls to the opposing player who sprinting forward had to lay it off first time back to opposing second player then repeat etc. All one touch. It was really very impressive and highlighted for me our weakness in quality. Our first touch barring Ralph moncur and bonne is awful. We end up taking so many touches either because the pass was poor or the first touch was bad. It's not hard for teams to press and close us down playing like this. I think it's down to the quality and inexperience of who we now have.
Secondly, we had no leader out there today. Ralph isn't naturally vocal anyway and collins lost his mojo at the noment. Kensdales gone leaving nobody to organise and lead at the back. What I saw lots of today was most of the players moaning at each other and questioning each other.
We simply aren't a 'team' at the moment. No cohesion, familarity, no practiced routines, no favourite one\two partners or drilled triangles. We're a bunch of 'all we could get' lower league left overs with a couple of left out experienced misfits thrown in the mix.
Its not kevs fault kensdale imploded and cards fancied more money, or Taylor's hamstring went or Cavs discs flared blah blah, but I think more management of getting the final yellow before suspension should have happened, I think something should have been done by now about the medical department (I use that term lightly!), I think when faced with our player availability problems this week it was questionable trying to continue with the same old style and formation when there's been no time to gel or players to utilise to do it. We had nothing to lose today by trying different things.
I think we hugely miss Dave Martin's experience coaching not just Collin but the back line too, which he was so good at. Had he and JDs contracts been discussed early and not just left to last, there was a high chance both would still be on the books as player coaches. Those two wouldve made a massive difference on the pitch in recent games.
Of course kev and co have done amazingly last season with all that went on. Luckily the threadbare squad we had were all close knit and 100% familiar with each other's games. Unfortunately what he has now as a threadbare squad is about as opposite to that as you can get. He's going to need every ounce of luck to have a half decent next month or two. I hope we get some injured players back, a handful of pens and some decent performances to regain conficence. But I feel it's going to take more than one week without a game to get any familiarity within the team.

 

[E for B and Billy Best]

Best player on the pitch was Billy Best, he ran rings round Nobbler.

 

[HertfordshireBlue]

I want Kev and Co to succeed so badly.. I dream we change our style of football and play attacking football and challenge for promotion. He deserves it more than anyone, please Kev do the right thing.

 

[rayleigh dan]

I want Kev and Co to succeed so badly.. I dream we change our style of football and play attacking football and challenge for promotion. He deserves it more than anyone, please Kev do the right thing.

Agreed, but to do so he needs to admit plan A isn’t working sometimes and try something different. As @in the know rightly says, we could have done that today, but we stubbornly stuck to the same old style, perhaps even more so given we only had one up front.

 

[Holy Joe]

Can Any intheknows indicate why Pebble hasn't featured much last couple of games? Injured? Or something else?

 

[rayleigh dan]

Can Any intheknows indicate why Pebble hasn't featured much last couple of games? Injured? Or something else?

He started against Wealdstone, so it was only today he wasn’t involved. It did seem odd that he didn’t come on, maybe he’s carrying a knock? If not, I’m bemused.

 

[* ORM *]

Watched it again at 0.25 speed on the 'highlights' and never a penalty - clearly plays the ball first. Idiot ref has a clear view as well and still gets it wrong.

So you’re advocating VAR at NL level or criticising the ref for not having 0.25 speed vision?

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Not saying I want Kev out but if the club were to pull the trigger, you’d have to say for all three to leave so a completely new team with new ideas could come in. Not that I’d have a scoobie who that would be.

Well the team that just beat us play good attacking football and perhaps playing in front of even 6000 fans might be of interest compared to a 1000

 

[kentblues]

I will defend one aspect of this. Crowther had been playing central, and today he was moved out to the right - How much time did have to prepare for that, so I don't think that helped!

He is not suited to RCB- think like this -could he be realistically be expected to play RB? Has he got those attributes? No. So you are correct. But practice would not have made a difference.

 

[kentblues]

So you’re advocating VAR at NL level or criticising the ref for not having 0.25 speed vision?

Collin dived in and then look at the direction the ball travels? It’s basics really but referees at this level aren’t much different to the local rec. You can’t rely on them and it’s the punishment for playing at the level we are.

The assistant in front of the greens was worse- incredible- my 89 year old mother would have done a better job. But none of this really caused us to lose

 

[kentblues]

Always watch the players warm up, usually from close to the away team. I find you can see the type of game you're up against by the size speed and specifically the drills the opposition do. One particular drill today had 2 of their players opposite sides of around a 6yd distance. Properly smashing balls fast balls to the opposing player who sprinting forward had to lay it off first time back to opposing second player then repeat etc. All one touch. It was really very impressive and highlighted for me our weakness in quality. Our first touch barring Ralph moncur and bonne is awful. We end up taking so many touches either because the pass was poor or the first touch was bad. It's not hard for teams to press and close us down playing like this. I think it's down to the quality and inexperience of who we now have.
Secondly, we had no leader out there today. Ralph isn't naturally vocal anyway and collins lost his mojo at the noment. Kensdales gone leaving nobody to organise and lead at the back. What I saw lots of today was most of the players moaning at each other and questioning each other.
We simply aren't a 'team' at the moment. No cohesion, familarity, no practiced routines, no favourite one\two partners or drilled triangles. We're a bunch of 'all we could get' lower league left overs with a couple of left out experienced misfits thrown in the mix.
Its not kevs fault kensdale imploded and cards fancied more money, or Taylor's hamstring went or Cavs discs flared blah blah, but I think more management of getting the final yellow before suspension should have happened, I think something should have been done by now about the medical department (I use that term lightly!), I think when faced with our player availability problems this week it was questionable trying to continue with the same old style and formation when there's been no time to gel or players to utilise to do it. We had nothing to lose today by trying different things.
I think we hugely miss Dave Martin's experience coaching not just Collin but the back line too, which he was so good at. Had he and JDs contracts been discussed early and not just left to last, there was a high chance both would still be on the books as player coaches. Those two wouldve made a massive difference on the pitch in recent games.
Of course kev and co have done amazingly last season with all that went on. Luckily the threadbare squad we had were all close knit and 100% familiar with each other's games. Unfortunately what he has now as a threadbare squad is about as opposite to that as you can get. He's going to need every ounce of luck to have a half decent next month or two. I hope we get some injured players back, a handful of pens and some decent performances to regain conficence. But I feel it's going to take more than one week without a game to get any familiarity within the team.

May I gently also suggest given the threadbare squad and what we are missing a signing or two? Would Callum Butcher at CB really have been worse than someone nowhere near Bromley’s first team? There is someone who could lead, apparently terms agreed, but we dither- it seems perfect is enemy of the good…

 

[Tampa Blue]

So you’re advocating VAR at NL level or criticising the ref for not having 0.25 speed vision?

Of course not - silly comment! It was never a penalty in real time as I previously stated. The video confirms the referee made an awful decision and had a clear view. The officiating was in keeping with the standard of play - diabolical!

 

[Strykr]

May I gently also suggest given the threadbare squad and what we are missing a signing or two? Would Callum Butcher at CB really have been worse than someone nowhere near Bromley’s first team? There is someone who could lead, apparently terms agreed, but we dither- it seems perfect is enemy of the good…

Impossible to tell tho isnt it.

Could be just what we need or

I can see it now

'Butcher looks quality but very slow'

'Butcher looks good but was shot after 40 minutes'

'Butcher just needs 6 weeks to get up to match fitness'

'Reminds me of when phil brown bought in an aging defence, you need pace in this league'

 

[stewart]

Always watch the players warm up, usually from close to the away team. I find you can see the type of game you're up against by the size speed and specifically the drills the opposition do. One particular drill today had 2 of their players opposite sides of around a 6yd distance. Properly smashing balls fast balls to the opposing player who sprinting forward had to lay it off first time back to opposing second player then repeat etc. All one touch. It was really very impressive and highlighted for me our weakness in quality. Our first touch barring Ralph moncur and bonne is awful. We end up taking so many touches either because the pass was poor or the first touch was bad. It's not hard for teams to press and close us down playing like this. I think it's down to the quality and inexperience of who we now have.
Secondly, we had no leader out there today. Ralph isn't naturally vocal anyway and collins lost his mojo at the noment. Kensdales gone leaving nobody to organise and lead at the back. What I saw lots of today was most of the players moaning at each other and questioning each other.
We simply aren't a 'team' at the moment. No cohesion, familarity, no practiced routines, no favourite one\two partners or drilled triangles. We're a bunch of 'all we could get' lower league left overs with a couple of left out experienced misfits thrown in the mix.
Its not kevs fault kensdale imploded and cards fancied more money, or Taylor's hamstring went or Cavs discs flared blah blah, but I think more management of getting the final yellow before suspension should have happened, I think something should have been done by now about the medical department (I use that term lightly!), I think when faced with our player availability problems this week it was questionable trying to continue with the same old style and formation when there's been no time to gel or players to utilise to do it. We had nothing to lose today by trying different things.
I think we hugely miss Dave Martin's experience coaching not just Collin but the back line too, which he was so good at. Had he and JDs contracts been discussed early and not just left to last, there was a high chance both would still be on the books as player coaches. Those two wouldve made a massive difference on the pitch in recent games.
Of course kev and co have done amazingly last season with all that went on. Luckily the threadbare squad we had were all close knit and 100% familiar with each other's games. Unfortunately what he has now as a threadbare squad is about as opposite to that as you can get. He's going to need every ounce of luck to have a half decent next month or two. I hope we get some injured players back, a handful of pens and some decent performances to regain conficence. But I feel it's going to take more than one week without a game to get any familiarity within the team.

when i was a kid i was taught how important that first touch was, also when i was coaching kids before my work accident it was one off the first and most important things i taught my kids, to control the ball on the first touch can unbalance a player coming at you ,to control first touch gives you the opportunity to put your marker on the wrong foot,. I find it criminal when i read that most of these professional players cannot control a ball properly first touch, thats giving the opposition to opportunity to dispossess you and break up any attacking move that the team has started..I may add when watching on NLTV last season i saw this so often also. It comes down to a player not being able to play under pressure to well, call it panicking if you like .Im not going to Bash KEV and co , but i do think a change of tactics is needed and understand that at present this is really a patched up team. He is safe this season but seriously next season will be his defining season if after 10 to 12 matches we are not sitting in the top 5 i do thinkCosu will start looking elsewhere .

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Lots of excuses or reasons as always

We have a tactical approach that is frustrating.

It worked ok in siege mentality with certain players.

However, people seem to forget we had similar bad performances in siege mentality time with similar issues (setup to defend, caution first) but we excused them because of siege mentality.

Without those players it's not as effective.

Perhaps we also over performed because of that siege mentality

So is it the players or the tactics or both?

Imo, way too much respect again given to the opposition team playing too many defensive players with 541.

These players can play with the right tactics as we've seen.

I've seen enough football games in my life to see how tactics can nullify good players and make them look poor. Ive seen how tactics can make average players look good.

Right now it's most definitely round plugs in square holes and overly negative approach for us

The way Gateshead setup (formation and mentality) with average players a good example of what can be done.

They outplayed us.

So no Maher out view just observations on where issues sit with comparative benchmarks

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

We lacked pace and energy today, save for KAF/Walker when he came on. Moncur can be quality but we can’t rely on him for 90 mins with games coming thick & fast .. poor bloke needs a lie down occasionally. He looked shattered today and also seems to have trouble finding the net. Too many just don’t look “on it” as yet, consistently enough.

We look a shadow of the team who went on that long run last season, maybe not surprising considering the fact we’ve lost some real quality in Kensdale and Cardwell .. topped up with injuries recently to the likes of Cav, Taylor, Coker .. Ralph out yesterday .. that’s a lot of good players who were integral to how we played. Whole spine of the team.

We badly need a spark, something to get the momentum going. Heads went down after all 3 goals today. We need Bonne to score one .. in off his arse, who cares. We have to find a way to grind out results even when we’re not at our best/strongest.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Missed the game, had it on tbe radio. To be expected really, that result. And all the messages on this thread, mostly expected, good and bad. Like Kev says, we are in transition, need to get the basics right to be able to build from there.

Its heartbreaking because this was supposed to be a season where we'd kept all our good players and improved on the fringe players. But its not happened, quite the opposite. Just our flaming luck i suppose.

Loving still having a club to support, i still think many fans take that fact far too friviously, the lights should have been switched off this time last year.
But here we are and i'll enjoy watching the team improve and the club grow. We arent at rock bottom, we've been there already.
Trying to be positive about it all now, one things for sure we won't lapse into obscurity and a passionless, soulless body of a club, those in charge wont let that happen and for that reason i have faith. Kev's turned it around before and will rebuild again quite possibly.

Southend till i die and at my age hopefully that will happen now, like everyone i hate getting beat absolutely detest the idea of "my" boys on the wrong end of the scoreline at Roots Hall, but it wont last.