Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 1 - 3 Gillingham, Saturday 27 July, pre-season friendly

[Ipswhrimp]

Finally home from the match via dinner with the old folks in LoS...
Once we'd settled, we knocked the ball about well for much of the first half and played some good stuff. Oh but those errors... Gillingham punished us for a couple of them and it could have been worse. Rusty is what we looked.
I thought Pedder had something about him, even in the warm-up. And when he came on, he looked absolute mustard, just the sort of player we've been crying out for. But then, I thought Mooney looked the dog's in pre-season a couple of years back, and look how that turned out. ZOT looked all right too.
Well pleased with my shirt - except wearing an XXXL isn't something I thought I'd ever have to do.

 

[fbm]

Re todays game, let's get all the silly errors out in the friendlies.

I thought Walker was the deserved MOM, loved Pedder's attitude when he came on, very disappointed in the back 3. Taylor looked off the pace and made a couple of mistakes, was it Kensdale who was totally done for pace? And Gubbins can't do it on his own.

GSM was decent, missed 2 good chances to put us ahead before they scored.

But for most of it, we seemed to be outmuscled by a stronger team. Walker did well but everyone else seemed to be leaned off the ball.

Bridge was very, very quiet.

All the goals were from defensive mistakes and that is normally our most reliable part of the team. Must do better!

No midfield creation either - Morton, Miley and Coker don't have any spark.

Must try harder!

 

[Blues ‘n’ twos]

Worst trialist today was the **** with the whistle!
The only thing I’m dreading about the new season is the sub standard of officiating.

 

[Supershrimper]

Worst trialist today was the **** with the whistle!
The only thing I’m dreading about the new season is the sub standard of officiating.

He got a promotion in January to officiate in the National League North and South last season. Hopefully that is where he will stay.

 

[WestyReturns]

A good workout yesterday. First time we've played opposition who were really going to test us and it showed. We really struggled at the back and made a lot of errors. I don't think this is a bad thing in a pre season game. Should be a bit of a wake up call.

On the positives:

- Walker gives us that cutting edge upfront and is a great outlet. Really looking forward to seeing him this season.

- GSM looks ready to start the season now! Great player.

- Pedder looked really good for the 15 mins he was on. I reckon he touched the ball more than the rest of the midfield the entire game. Great movement, worked hard, was everywhere and looked to get the ball forward at every opportunity. Linked the midfield and attack well. Couldn't of asked more of a trialist for that amount of time. Offers something different than the rest of our midfield. One of my mates said he reminded him of Luke Gutteridge! Would like to see him start against Chelmsford next week.