Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 2 -0 Northampton Town

[Mr Plow]

I've seen far worse than now, and far better for that matter. If you love the club and follow their fortunes through thick or thin then you've just got to watch them! You're either addicted or you're not. The addicts are the current fan base.

Exactly this, I remember some really dark days in the '90s/early 2000's losing at home to Lincoln etc in front of barely more than 2000 fans at Roots Hall.

Bill Shankly said it right : "If you can't support us when we lose or draw, don't support us when we win."

 

[mrsblue]

4 wins on the bounce, 4 points off top spot.. Yeah you're right, I'm amazed the fan base is still holding up..

True enough!

But the real stuff begins with tough opponents looming over the horizon,the top 6 around us we so far have played 4 games against some of them winning 1 and losing 3 and scoring just 1 goal..got to improve on that.

 

[leeblue]

Tough period coming up....looking forward to the next month big time. We are poised to really make a statement. ...it will either be a statement of intent or an indicator of improvement needed, typical SUFC roller coaster.....buckle up and get ready to shout/cry/cheer/curse......woooooooooo

 

[Romford Shrimper]

You can only beat what's in front of you. And judging by previous seasons its the teams near the bottom we struggle against.

 

[mrsblue]

Tough period coming up....looking forward to the next month big time. We are poised to really make a statement. ...it will either be a statement of intent or an indicator of improvement needed, typical SUFC roller coaster.....buckle up and get ready to shout/cry/cheer/curse......woooooooooo

Make you right,

Next few games will give us all the answer.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Bill Shankly said it right : "If you can't support us when we lose or draw, don't support us when we win."

Wise man was Shanks.

 

[fbm]

Make you right,

Next few games will give us all the answer.

But what's the question?

 

[davewebbsbrain]

One thing I saw yesterday which pleased me was during a second half attack, Worrall was running at goal and rather than panic and shoot or lay the ball off, he played the ball that splits the CB's, one you see so often in higher divisions. Payne read the pass and very nearly got to it. This leads me to believe that Payne and Worrall are on the same wavelength and 2 players that I think have an intelligent footballing brain. Worrall has and will play at a higher level again and I'm convinced Payne will too

 

[leeblue]

One thing I saw yesterday which pleased me was during a second half attack, Worrall was running at goal and rather than panic and shoot or lay the ball off, he played the ball that splits the CB's, one you see so often in higher divisions. Payne read the pass and very nearly got to it. This leads me to believe that Payne and Worrall are on the same wavelength and 2 players that I think have an intelligent footballing brain. Worrall has and will play at a higher level again and I'm convinced Payne will too

Loving Worrall, I felt we didnt get the ball to him enough on saturday, when we did things happen, he is direct and looks to run with the ball into dangerous areas as well as being hell bent on getting into the box, I like the way Brown plays him high up the pitch

 

[kentblues]

The issue with 442 is that most teams don't set up that way any more. When we are at home and play 442 I have so often seen the opposition playing 451 and we get over run in central midfield. I think 4231 or 4141 suits us best providing at home with have two wingers and the likes of Payne and O'Toole getting forward at every opportunity. I also think we a missing the likes of Coker who can both defend and get forward.

 

[leeblue]

The issue with 442 is that most teams don't set up that way any more. When we are at home and play 442 I have so often seen the opposition playing 451 and we get over run in central midfield. I think 4231 or 4141 suits us best providing at home with have two wingers and the likes of Payne and O'Toole getting forward at every opportunity. I also think we a missing the likes of Coker who can both defend and get forward.

We miss a real up and down full back , Thompson is a CB end of story, white is very good defensively but not the cut and thrust of a clohessey or a coker. Hurry back Coker

 

[Mick]

Loving Worrall, I felt we didnt get the ball to him enough on saturday, when we did things happen, he is direct and looks to run with the ball into dangerous areas as well as being hell bent on getting into the box, I like the way Brown plays him high up the pitch

Yes, a master stroke by Brown playing our attacking winger in a wide upfront role ! Although I'd be tempted to keep him on his more effective flank - more so than Brown has thus far.

Now just one or two more players left to get into their correct positions !

 

[leeblue]

Yes, a master stroke by Brown playing our attacking winger in a wide upfront role ! Although I'd be tempted to keep him on his more effective flank - more so than Brown has thus far.

Now just one or two more players left to get into their correct positions !

Ive seen most games Worrall has played and he has been on the right.....Im assuming thats his normal position

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Under sturrock we struggled to get results when playing badly and cost us.

This season under PB we have been playing badly yet picking up results.

It may be the difference come may.

When we get Hurst Leonard and definately Coker back regularly in the side and sign another striker we will see more entertainment.

It's a results business. And we know there are better performances to come.

Is he going to bother signing a striker though? Team crying out for one and in comes another midfielder.

 

[leeblue]

Is he going to bother signing a striker though? Team crying out for one and in comes another midfielder.

I agree...but I believe our system of play is very reliant on having a Corr like figure up top, linking play, holding the ball up and generally bringing others into the game, there were times on saturday that corr done this very well (as well as countless other games) the forward question is maybe this....can we find someone who can out corr barry corr....does that even make sense???? you know what i mean

 

[ozshrimper]

The opposition's thoroughly negative tactics deserved to be punished by a goal-keeping error. Not one shot on target in 90 minutes! No team deserves anything from a game for playing like that. 3 well deserved points for us from the sound of it.

 

[Eddy Melito]

the only way of playing 2 strikers is in a 442 realistically, and bringing another striker in means payne doesnt start (certainly not centrally anyway), its as simple as that.

I thought payne had a quiet game Saturday, but when i thought about the fact i would sub him it occurred to me what a terrible reaction most of the crowd would have given to that and how it would effect the teams morale. its getting to the point where hes over rated in my opinion.

 

[leeblue]

The opposition's thoroughly negative tactics deserved to be punished by a goal-keeping error. Not one shot on target in 90 minutes! No team deserves anything from a game for playing like that. 3 well deserved points for us from the sound of it.

Most teams come to roots hall and set up to spoil the game as it were, dont mention it to the doom mongers but maybe just maybe thats why the 'entertainment' has not been so great. Looking forward to wycombe, they will have a real go, they are top of the league etc etc, good test of our mini run. I ve got a feeling, if hurst is back he and worrall combined with jack payne could be devastating on the counter

 

[Jam_Man]

There you go Jam_Man, it's not just me saying it.

He didnt say he wasnt able to get there though did he.....

Thats positional decision making, not a physical restriction. He still has to lead the line on his own, he gets plenty of support from Payne up with him but Corr has to provide 100% of the physical presence, he cant be every where.

Most teams come to roots hall and set up to spoil the game as it were, dont mention it to the doom mongers but maybe just maybe thats why the 'entertainment' has not been so great. Looking forward to wycombe, they will have a real go, they are top of the league etc etc, good test of our mini run. I ve got a feeling, if hurst is back he and worrall combined with jack payne could be devastating on the counter

Indeed, its always a bit harder in some ways to play well at home because you have the pressure of the crowd and the expectations, plus the oppostion set up to contain most of the time.

It wasnt a great performance, but we still had chances and restricted to Northampton to having none whatsoever.

Its a bit sad that winning 4 in a row , scored 2 goals in 3 of them, and being 5th and pushing for the automatics and people are still slating the team.

The real challenge is certainly the next two games, but if people cant enjoy the fact we have won 4 games and expect us to play like Barcelona every week then league two football is going to provide regular disappointment.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Match ratings below. Sorry...had a busy weekend.

Bentley 6.5...Didn't have much to do. Dropped a cross early on, but recovered immediately.
Thompson 6..Thought his passing was poor, but defended ok
White 7...Solid
Bolger 6.5...Comfortable afternoon
Prosser 6.5...As above
Worrall 7 Didn't see much of the ball, but used it wisely.
O'Toole 6...Flitted in and out of the game. Some good stuff...some bad.
Timlin 7.5..My MOTM. Seemed to tidy everything up in midfield.
Payne 6.5...Didn't get much ball to feet, but always looked a danger. Busted a gut
Weston 7...Frustrating to watch, but his pace caused them problems all afternoon.
Corr 7...Thought he did well on his own. Worked hard

Subs :
Atkinson, Shaq and Deegan 6.5 Not on long. Kept things ticking over