Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 1, Torquay United 1

[Norwichshrimper]

Straker-0, worst LB I've ever seen, absolute rubbish.

He might be the worst left back you've ever seen, but to give him 0 today is harsh - he didn't look any worse than 8 or 9 of the others today.

 

[Firestorm]

He might be the worst left back you've ever seen, but to give him 0 today is harsh - he didn't look any worse than 8 or 9 of the others today.

Thought Straker had one of his better games today. Although I really dont rate him. His biggest problem for me is that he seems to switch off a lot. Several times before the goal he was drifting in field and leaving his man on the wing and thats how the goal came about
I have seen worse Left backs, just not in the last 25 years

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Thought Straker had one of his better games today. Although I really dont rate him. His biggest problem for me is that he seems to switch off a lot. Several times before the goal he was drifting in field and leaving his man on the wing and thats how the goal came about
I have seen worse Left backs, just not in the last 25 years

Like for the goal you mean. I have no idea what he was doing, daydreaming maybe. He just stood there and watched the player. Didn't get in the way, try to block the shot or attempt a challenge....just stood there watching.

 

[Norwichshrimper]

It was pretty dire today in my opinion. I didn't see Tuesday's game though, so I appreciate it may have been an improvement. There were a few positives, Tam & Mohnsi played very well in the centre, good to see Laird back and getting through 90 mins, and though I have no problem at all with Smith it was good to see Bentley having a solid game.
More negatives than positives though - Thought we were lucky to get a point though overall, Torbay weren't great, but they were better than us in the main - they had a couple of decent players and played some decent stuff - I can't understand all their time-wasting though, they looked just as likely to get a winner as we did. I thought we defended well enough overall, just had little creative going forward, still too many long balls aimed vaguely at Britt's head and when we went through the middle it was all very pedestrian.

Bentley 7 : Did well, solid enough
Clohessey 7 : Not his best game
Straker 6 : Much improved on earlier in season
Mkandawire 8 : Touch of class at the back
Mohsni 8 : Impressed with him today. Defended well, nothing silly, and tried to get thingd going from deep. Much better at CB than anywhere else
Reeves 6 : Hardly in game 1st half, more involved 2nd half, but not at his best
Lund 6 : Bit disappointing as I rate him, made a few good challenges, but looked a bit pedestrian today.
Laird 7 : Pick of the midfield, impressive considering first game back - he may look like a cross between a drug addict and a famine victim, but he does an important job in the middle and we've missed him.
Hurst 6 : Worked hard and made himself available as ever, didn't really get enough of the ball thought today. Will excuse him the substandard set pieces today as the wind was playing havoc with anything aerial.
Eastwood 6.5 : Great goal, but not a lot else
Assombalonga 5.5 : Below par, but the service wasn't great to be fair to him

Tomlin n/a : good to see him back - hopefully he'll be fine for Tuesday.

 

[Norwichshrimper]

Thought Straker had one of his better games today. Although I really dont rate him. His biggest problem for me is that he seems to switch off a lot. Several times before the goal he was drifting in field and leaving his man on the wing and thats how the goal came about
I have seen worse Left backs, just not in the last 25 years

This was the first game I've seen since Northampton, and he was probably our best player then - thought he did OK today, no worse than most of the others - though that isn't really high praise.

 

[amsemp]

Not too sure which goalkeeper you were watching! I watched him very closely.

• Can't recall a time when he stayed rooted to his line. Certainly not like Smith does.
• I counted 5 occasions when he came charging out screaming at the top of his lungs and CAUGHT a ball CLEANLY; no dropped crosses; no awful punch attempts.
• I also can't recall a single moment when a Torquay ball came over the top and Bentley didn't leave his line immediately in preparation to sweep it up if he needed to, even if Tam or Mohsni were chasing back to pick up the loose ball too. In those situations, Smith ALWAYS stays rooted to his line.
• His communication was top notch.
• His defenders looked more comfortable in front of him than they did in front of Smith.
• His defenders weren't afraid to pass the ball back to him when under pressure like they are with Smith, and out of 7 backpasses, I counted one poor kick from Bentley. That's a statistic that Smith can only ever dream of matching.
• Also loved the quick distribution out of hand to launch counter-attacks. Added a new and exciting dimension to our game.

Yes I saw the mistake at the end too. It could have ended in disaster. But we can put that down to inexperience - an excuse that Smith certainly can't use. And yes again, Smith would have been lambasted if he'd done that today - but only because it would have been the latest in a long line of regular costly ****-ups. I don't remember him being lambasted when he made his very first mistake of the season, only when it started to become a regular occurence. Bentley was simply a cut above Smith today.

can't disagree with this at all. saw him several times pushing players out and meeting every passback, giving the back 4 another option. seemed very vocal and was constantly shouting at the back 4 and giving them encouragement. it really was HIS box and if any player wanted to venture in, they did so on his terms. really refreshing to see after watching smith all season (not that i have anything against him). smith is without a doubt the best shot stopper i've ever witnessed at roots hall, but his overall game (especially communication and camping on his line) lets him down badly. can see dan developing into a really decent young keeper, just hope he is our number 1 next season rather than us taking a punt on another morris/evans/smith and benching him!

 

[OldBlueLady]

can't disagree with this at all. saw him several times pushing players out and meeting every passback, giving the back 4 another option. seemed very vocal and was constantly shouting at the back 4 and giving them encouragement. it really was HIS box and if any player wanted to venture in, they did so on his terms. really refreshing to see after watching smith all season (not that i have anything against him).

Apart from Mohsni, who chose to ignore Bentley's shout on a couple of occasions.

 

[amsemp]

Apart from Mohsni, who chose to ignore Bentley's shout on a couple of occasions.

saw that a few times. unfortunately for us, a leopard can't change its spots :facepalm:

 

[Richard_Cadette]

For me, one word sums up the performance today - confidence.

For the first 25 minutes or so, I thought we were excellent - decent tempo, plenty of endeavour and enthusiasm and no shortage of some decent, incisive attacking play, and were well worth our lead. I think what happened, as can often do when you're lacking confidence, is that we got a little nervous as we didn't score a second goal - started to sit back a little, and allowed Torquay to have more of the ball. In the run up to half time, we really looked like we couldn't wait for the whistle, and I suspect Torquay could sense that, and the equaliser was no real surprise.

Second half, I thought we were neither one thing or the other - We didn't seem to know how to approach the game. and it looked like we were waiting for something to happen, rather than trying to make it happen. I thought, to be fair, Torquay were neat and tidy, without having much cutting edge, and looked the more likely. They are on a bad run, but before Ling became ill, they were also chasing a play off berth.

Unless we can get 2 goals ahead, I don't see this pattern changing at home - the players are obviously aware of the poor form at RH, and it is clearly playing on their minds. Away from home, I'd back us to beat anyone, regardless of what team we have out.

There were some positives today - Laird was exception today, when you take into consideration he has had no game time since his injury, and i thought Mkandiwire was also superb, but he did start life as a CB.

I think I'd also like to see the Eastwood/Britt partnership given another go - I genuinely think that could be explosive for us if they have more time together - Freddy showed some quality touches today, and good movement, but was clearly not 100% fit, and no surprise PS took him off.

Point was a fair return on that performance - we didn't do enough to merit a win, and, as I said, I cannot see us getting past this problem unless we can get 2 goals up quickly in a game to settle the nerves.

Play offs are still clearly within our grasp in terms of points, but unless we improve very quickly, it could be 6 points or 60 points, we won't make it.

Just one final thought - Seen some of the stuff on here about Paul Smith, and I just hope he doesn't read this forum. He's not perfect, no, but I doubt you'll find too many better shot stoppers at this level, if any, and whilst he doesn't command his area as well as some, if he did, on top of how good he is at the rest of his game, there is no way he'd be playing for us! This is the same guy who put in one of the best displayers seen by an SUFC keeper at Brentford, and without him, we'd not be at Wembley next month after he kept us in it against Orient - Pretty poor show by some of our fans in my opinion.... We should be trying to lift him up rather than slating him!

 

[davewebbsbrain]

For me, one word sums up the performance today - confidence.

For the first 25 minutes or so, I thought we were excellent - decent tempo, plenty of endeavour and enthusiasm and no shortage of some decent, incisive attacking play, and were well worth our lead. I think what happened, as can often do when you're lacking confidence, is that we got a little nervous as we didn't score a second goal - started to sit back a little, and allowed Torquay to have more of the ball. In the run up to half time, we really looked like we couldn't wait for the whistle, and I suspect Torquay could sense that, and the equaliser was no real surprise.

Second half, I thought we were neither one thing or the other - We didn't seem to know how to approach the game. and it looked like we were waiting for something to happen, rather than trying to make it happen. I thought, to be fair, Torquay were neat and tidy, without having much cutting edge, and looked the more likely. They are on a bad run, but before Ling became ill, they were also chasing a play off berth.

Unless we can get 2 goals ahead, I don't see this pattern changing at home - the players are obviously aware of the poor form at RH, and it is clearly playing on their minds. Away from home, I'd back us to beat anyone, regardless of what team we have out.

There were some positives today - Laird was exception today, when you take into consideration he has had no game time since his injury, and i thought Mkandiwire was also superb, but he did start life as a CB.

I think I'd also like to see the Eastwood/Britt partnership given another go - I genuinely think that could be explosive for us if they have more time together - Freddy showed some quality touches today, and good movement, but was clearly not 100% fit, and no surprise PS took him off.

Point was a fair return on that performance - we didn't do enough to merit a win, and, as I said, I cannot see us getting past this problem unless we can get 2 goals up quickly in a game to settle the nerves.

Play offs are still clearly within our grasp in terms of points, but unless we improve very quickly, it could be 6 points or 60 points, we won't make it.

Just one final thought - Seen some of the stuff on here about Paul Smith, and I just hope he doesn't read this forum. He's not perfect, no, but I doubt you'll find too many better shot stoppers at this level, if any, and whilst he doesn't command his area as well as some, if he did, on top of how good he is at the rest of his game, there is no way he'd be playing for us! This is the same guy who put in one of the best displayers seen by an SUFC keeper at Brentford, and without him, we'd not be at Wembley next month after he kept us in it against Orient - Pretty poor show by some of our fans in my opinion.... We should be trying to lift him up rather than slating him!

Bentley made a couple of very good saves today, ones that Smith excels in. Bentley does all Smith can't/won't do and he is a good shot stopper. No brainer really, keep bentley in.

 

[Richard_Cadette]

Bentley made a couple of very good saves today, ones that Smith excels in. Bentley does all Smith can't/won't do and he is a good shot stopper. No brainer really, keep bentley in.

I don't have a problem with Bentley at all, and I think he is a great prospect - I just don't like the way Smith has been singled out. I'm sure he'd be the first to admit he has made mistakes this season, for sure, but who amongst our team hasn't?

As I say, he's one of the best shot stoppers I've seen here - Let's not forget a certain keeper who was a huge fans favourite and came with all the same baggage when it came to commanding his area!!

The thing is, if, as a defence, you know your keeper does not like to come off his line, then you need to be able to deal with that - Before we embarked on our current injury crisis, we had the best defence in the league - Not too shabby for a keeper who is, from hearing some of our supporters talk, not fit to play Sunday league!

 

[amsemp]

i agree that the treatment of smith by our so called fans has been harsh to say the least. his shot stopping is among the best i've ever seen at this level but when he lacks what is arguably the most important attribute of a keeper in terms of commanding his area, he's cost us quite a few goals this season.

my main concern was bentley's patience running thin or his confidence being shattered. at times, if i was bentley, i would be sitting there thinking "how bad does smith have to be before i get a game?" but i'm pleased sturrock gave him his chance today.

smith has the potential to be a really good keeper but just wish he could be more vocal. his performances at brentford and orient aswell as the 3 or 4 game run he went on where he was our stand out player by a mile show what a top keeper he is on his day. just a shame he can't be more consistent.

 

[usa_shrimper]

Now we can concentrate on the cup...:winking:

 

[Norwichshrimper]

i agree that the treatment of smith by our so called fans has been harsh to say the least. his shot stopping is among the best i've ever seen at this level but when he lacks what is arguably the most important attribute of a keeper in terms of commanding his area, he's cost us quite a few goals this season.

my main concern was bentley's patience running thin or his confidence being shattered. at times, if i was bentley, i would be sitting there thinking "how bad does smith have to be before i get a game?" but i'm pleased sturrock gave him his chance today.

smith has the potential to be a really good keeper but just wish he could be more vocal. his performances at brentford and orient aswell as the 3 or 4 game run he went on where he was our stand out player by a mile show what a top keeper he is on his day. just a shame he can't be more consistent.

But Smith hasn't been that bad - it's just that as this season's scapegoat every goal gets over analysed and blamed on him.

 

[Neil 24]

Spot on people are nit pickin everythin with smith he has had a good season made some errors like everyone else but done well. Bentley has his chance now so good luck to him.

 

[* ORM *]

Now we can concentrate on the cup...:winking:

I thought that's what we had been doing. Sadly I'm coming around to the fact that Sturrock won't be around next season. Whatever happens people should never lose the memory of the dire position we faced when he joined and the miracle he performed in getting a team that could even compete at this level. A play off and a Wembley final is hardly a disaster in that context but given the number of players that have passed through the club the shocking home form is not acceptable. 1 point from six against 2 lowly teams. We could have been sniffing the playoffs this weekend. We're not and for that reason we need a change. Coughlan gets my vote.

 

[Angell Delight]

Straker 6...... Forgot him

Wish Sturrock had forgotten him in the summer! Tam MOM by a country mile, shame his return has come far too late. Season over.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

From what I heard it seemed a lot better yesterday and I can well imagine, given a couple more matches, that we shall start to hit a vein of form. We're getting back to the squad that took us on the unbeaten run before Christmas. Sadly, that is going to be very frustrating, as it will almost certainly be too late to get us to the play-offs. We may well see the full potential, of the squad that has been assembled, in a virtual swansong at Wembley on May the seventh, before it disintegrates at the end of the season. 2012-3 will draw to a close with the question, what if.........................?

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Like for the goal you mean. I have no idea what he was doing, daydreaming maybe. He just stood there and watched the player. Didn't get in the way, try to block the shot or attempt a challenge....just stood there watching.

Here we go; Smith didn't play so who can we pick on now!!!

If you want to blame someone for their goal, how about Clohessy, who was beaten far too easily and caused us to be a man down in defence.

 

[shrimperjon]

Not too sure which goalkeeper you were watching! I watched him very closely.

• Can't recall a time when he stayed rooted to his line. Certainly not like Smith does.
• I counted 5 occasions when he came charging out screaming at the top of his lungs and CAUGHT a ball CLEANLY; no dropped crosses; no awful punch attempts.
• I also can't recall a single moment when a Torquay ball came over the top and Bentley didn't leave his line immediately in preparation to sweep it up if he needed to, even if Tam or Mohsni were chasing back to pick up the loose ball too. In those situations, Smith ALWAYS stays rooted to his line.
• His communication was top notch.
• His defenders looked more comfortable in front of him than they did in front of Smith.
• His defenders weren't afraid to pass the ball back to him when under pressure like they are with Smith, and out of 7 backpasses, I counted one poor kick from Bentley. That's a statistic that Smith can only ever dream of matching.
• Also loved the quick distribution out of hand to launch counter-attacks. Added a new and exciting dimension to our game.

Yes I saw the mistake at the end too. It could have ended in disaster. But we can put that down to inexperience - an excuse that Smith certainly can't use. And yes again, Smith would have been lambasted if he'd done that today - but only because it would have been the latest in a long line of regular costly ****-ups. I don't remember him being lambasted when he made his very first mistake of the season, only when it started to become a regular occurence. Bentley was simply a cut above Smith today.

Blimey did you have note pad, clearly to analyse Bentley so precisely you must have just been watching him and not the game. For what it's worth he remained rooted to his line twice from corners, which according to many on here a keeper shouldn't do, there was two crosses second half that curled into the six yard box, again he dudnt claim them, his distribution at times was poor, particularly his kicking from the ground. I'm not saying that Smith is a wonder keeper, we know he isn't, it's just that Bentley made errors today that Smith has been slated for all season.