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

[amsemp]

I beg your pudding. We're still not top. Brown out, Worrall out, Bentley out, Payne out, and especially Timlin out as he only ran about 15 miles versus Northampton.

You forgot the boy in the tea bar. Pretty sure a lot of this is his fault.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

You forgot the boy in the tea bar. Pretty sure a lot of this is his fault.

No, we have a new tea boy. The old tea boy was sacked because of that losing run.

 

[LBBlue]

I think the doubters on here - of which I am one see a lack of quality - ability to control the ball, move of the ball and read the game - throughout the side. Look at the league table 26 points from 11 games against the bottom 12 sides and 8 points from 8 games against the other top 11 sides. The next three games will go a long way to determining whether we have a chance of competing for top three place or struggling to make the play offs. We could easily lose the next three based on performances since the start of the season.

 

[Shrimper]

The feeling is mutual. You seem to be having a personal vendetta against Weston. The great reception he got from PB and most fans when leaving the pitch and when the decision was announced proves that we were right to reward him with MOM award.
This is becoming tedious, I have explained why the decision was made, you disagree with it sorry but I don't give a ....

Guess you didn't see the reaction in the West then when everyone laughed at it.

Weston has the worst first touch I have ever seen and has been awful lately. Would rather see Atkinson there.

 

[geoffmundo]

Ok, no one's done ratings yet so I might as well give my 2p's worth

Bentley - 7 - Not to much to do but was convincing with his kicking and handling.
Thompson - 6 - Improved as the game progressed after a few early errors.
Prosser - 6 - Good defending, terrible distribution.
Bolger - 7 - Thought he was good overall today, got his head on everything and a couple of good long passes, certainly looks a more natural footballer than Prosser.
White - 7 - Defensively very good but offers little going forward from left back.
Worrall - 6 - Not as good as recently but still popped up with the goal.
Timlin - 8 - MOM Was everywhere today, tackled and distributed well.
O'Toole - 4 - Thought he was pretty rubbish, his sole positive contribution was the early shot. Looked lazy and languid, I can only hope he's not fit, saw nothing to see he should be starting ahead of Leonard or even Clifford. I'm hoping for a big improvement given his reputation.
Weston - 6 - Absolute rubbish until the penalty, then seemed to pull his finger out and had a decent shot followed by the assist for Worrall. Needs to be more direct IMO, he's got the pace but seems to slow down and take too many touches, go for the Worrall option and just run at people!
Payne - 6 - Possibly up there with Timlin as our best player in the first half, but seemed to get a bit lost following the break.
Corr - 6 Mixed bag for me, thought he led the line well in the first half but then seemed to get caught up in fouls/offsides. Improved again following the pen (which was well struck).

Subs -

All got stuck in but not enough time for individual ratings

Overall summery of the game - We was desperately poor for long periods, luckily Northampton were worse, although if they scored from the free header we might be lamenting another loss.

Positives - the defence looked far more solid today (though was that down to the opposition?) and Timlin looks back to his best.

Negatives - O'Toole was far from convincing, although too early to judge I hope if Leonard's fit next game O'Toole will be warming the bench. The last thing Brown should be doing is alienating the existing squad. Also again as against Bury we struggled to break down a really poor side. Would we have won if their keeper hadn't have made that howler? I'm not convinced.

Pretty much agree with all of this except I would give Bents 6 since he had virtually nothing to do (one punch in 2nd half?) Thompson 5, he was poor in 1st half and got away with misplaced passes, better in 2nd.

 

[shrimperjon]

I was one of he guys that helped pick the MOM and believed that Westons workrate and commitment was better than any other with the possible exception of Payne.
The first 60 mins were not great and we were struggling to pick a player for MOM however Weston helped change the game and fully deserved his award.
We are four points off top and we still have negativity on this site. DWB you were one of the guys that a few weeks ago was suggesting that Brown should be sacked! The way you and some other individuals on this site show your support for the team is pathetic. This club would be better off without your so called support - maybe you should try supporting Dave Webbs other team - Chelsea!

Im sorry but you are quite entitled to your opinion but I have never heard the reaction that Weston got to the mom award. There were literally people ****ing themselves laughing. Timlin, Worrall, Prosser even white were head and shoulders better. Weston didn't have a clue what to do for most the game and only created anything when they went down to ten men. How Atkinson doesn't get in the team ahead of him staggers most people. As for so called support, 35 years home and away, not bad for a so called supporter.

 

[shrimperjon]

The feeling is mutual. You seem to be having a personal vendetta against Weston. The great reception he got from PB and most fans when leaving the pitch and when the decision was announced proves that we were right to reward him with MOM award.
This is becoming tedious, I have explained why the decision was made, you disagree with it sorry but I don't give a ....

did you mean the reaction of people falling about laughing when the decision was announced. I can only assume you were in one of those little boxes with the window closed. As for PB reaction of course he is going to show positivity towards a player, yet this is the same man who subbed Worrall against Chester when on the day he was our best player and losing 2-1 to a conference side.

 

[OldBlueLady]

This is an excellent example of why it would be a good idea to have a separate comments post match thread to ratings. Some people can never resist the opportunity to get all defensive when some disagree with them and some cannot resist the chance to have a pop at others - grow up! :angry:

Yes, it wasn't the best of games yesterday, and yes, the MOTM award was "odd" to say the least, though I do see the logic. Weston IS an incredibly industrious player, trouble is, so little of his work ever comes to anything. We saw yesterday though, what happens when it all "clicks". I want to see more of that Weston, and less of the one who fails frequently to take a run through on goal.

JJOT? Did ok, definitely quieter second half. Showed a willingness to get stuck in but I think he will be another Corr, in that refs don't particularly like him. Nearly a fairy tale start to his Blues' career with a great long range effort. I can't believe how little comment there is on the defence. Four league games and conceded only two goals - that is terrific for a defence where you have your two full backs effectively playing in the wrong position. Bolger played some excellent cross pitch passes yesterday and looked solid. His only mistake that I saw, was unfortunate to put us under pressure but we weathered it without being punished. White, again, another very solid performance in the LB slot. Thompson, some very good defending that shows there is a genuinely good defender in the making, stopped his man from turning a couple of times. I don't think he should be getting forward though, he is no Sean Clohessy!

Payne was a little out of luck in that Northampton had obviously heard about him and made life difficult. He'll need to learn how to cope with that as he ran about an awful lot but didn't achieve an awful lot. Corr is clearly not 100% and came up against another ref who had it in for him. The defenders were shoving and pulling him about a lot and yet he always seemed to get a foul given against him.

Bentley - 6, didn't have much at all to do so can't really mark him higher
Thompson - 6
Bolger - 7
Prosser - 6, very solid, as usual but distribution was a bit off
White - 7
Worrall - 8, didn't get the ball a lot in the first half, but once he found some space, showed why he has become such a fans' favourite
O'Toole - 6
Timlin - 8, MOTM, just from Worrall. Pulls the strings and showed again why we had a hard time when he wasn't in the side
Weston - 6
Payne - 6
Corr - 7, never gave up and kept going to the very end. He shouldn't be closing the keeper down, I think that should be Payne's job. Poor Corr looked absolutely out on his feet.

Subs:
Atkinson for Weston, should have come on when originally intended (5 mins earlier, after the goal)
Coulthirst for Payne, again, I felt he could have come on earlier, Payne wasn't getting a great deal of luck
Deegan for O'Toole, fair enough, O'Toole wasn't ready for a full match imho

Officials:
Decent performance though they gave into Northampton every time they appealed anything, some very dodgy offsides I thought. Got the sending off right, had little choice. Felt the ref should have issued more cards to them.

 

[Parold]

I thought Bolger was a good shout for MOM yesterday. Best I've seen him play so far.

 

[mrsblue]

I thought Bolger was a good shout for MOM yesterday. Best I've seen him play so far.

Agreed,

Bolger looked classy and assured.

 

[dannypav]

It's all about opinions , and let's face it , MOM doesn't really mean anything so pointless spending so much time going over it IMO.
Not a great display by us yesterday but clearly a team all pulling together and working hard , which is the minimum you need in this League.
I really thought Northampton were going to be a threat , but in truth they were awful.

I thought Bolger played well , but ( without any logic to my comment ) still looks like there is a mistake ready to happen when he's on the ball.
Thompson is a decent player IMO but he us never a full back.

Every time I watch Payne I wang him to be the real star , but I think he has more mediocre games than good ones.
That is not a dig as he is still learning and in his first full season.
I'm sure we have a very good prospect in there , but for now , he is not the Messiah just yet I'm afraid.

Corr does a lot if work for the team , but he never makes that strikers run to the 6 yard box when the wide players are about to play the ball in ( Worrall put in a great ball in the first half ).

O'Toole was quiet , but let's see.

I will finish in the man that had dominated thus thread.
I thought Weston was awful.

Three points against a team that didn't want to play , so not much more we could do.
Tougher days to come , but I think we can and will stand up to those tests.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

I thought Bolger was a good shout for MOM yesterday. Best I've seen him play so far.

I have to agree he had a good game yesterday, won everything in the air at the back

 

[leeblue]

On O toole.....thought he was ok...put some graft in...won some good ariel challenges. ...kept the ball well.
sat deep like that is not where he operates usually. Interesting to see what happens when lenny returns, we missed him yesterday.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

It's all about opinions , and let's face it , MOM doesn't really mean anything so pointless spending so much time going over it IMO.
Not a great display by us yesterday but clearly a team all pulling together and working hard , which is the minimum you need in this League.
I really thought Northampton were going to be a threat , but in truth they were awful.

I thought Bolger played well , but ( without any logic to my comment ) still looks like there is a mistake ready to happen when he's on the ball.
Thompson is a decent player IMO but he us never a full back.

Every time I watch Payne I wang him to be the real star , but I think he has more mediocre games than good ones.
That is not a dig as he is still learning and in his first full season.
I'm sure we have a very good prospect in there , but for now , he is not the Messiah just yet I'm afraid.

Corr does a lot if work for the team , but he never makes that strikers run to the 6 yard box when the wide players are about to play the ball in ( Worrall put in a great ball in the first half ).

O'Toole was quiet , but let's see.

I will finish in the man that had dominated thus thread.
I thought Weston was awful.

Three points against a team that didn't want to play , so not much more we could do.
Tougher days to come , but I think we can and will stand up to those tests.

Is that a euphemism?

 

[leeblue]

I have to agree he had a good game yesterday, won everything in the air at the back

Agreed. Forming good defensive partnership with prosser. But prosser seems to have taken a backwards step in terms of use of the ball, woeful with the football yesterday

 

[Austin the Shrimper]

Last season we lost to a lot of the crap teams in the league, Maybe a positive to take from beating teams all near the foot of the table.

 

[dannypav]

Agreed. Forming good defensive partnership with prosser. But prosser seems to have taken a backwards step in terms of use of the ball, woeful with the football yesterday

I thought that yesterday , but also on a couple of occasions he was given a ball he could do nothing with other than welly it.

 

[leeblue]

I thought that yesterday , but also on a couple of occasions he was given a ball he could do nothing with other than welly it.

I have no problem with a CB getting rid of the ball when necessary. ...ave it. And I think prosser is doing his primary role very well (defending) but time after time knocking long aimless balls....puts us under pressure

 

[fbm]

Blimey, I think everyone has been watching about 6 different matches!

Before the ratings, my two cents on yesterdays game - which was similar to the few people around me as well as we were discussing it.

The first half was marginally better than the one last time out which was so awful I've wiped it from the memory and can't remember who the opponents were. Northampton were a big, physical side who I felt tried to bully us all over the pitch. Our defence was shocking, no-one looked comfortable, Bolger visibly panics when a forward closes him down, Thompson had a dreadful first 15 minutes and there was little to no communication between the centre backs. The fact that we didn't concede was because of the fact that a) the fantastic work rate by Weston, Timlin, Payne and Worrall in cutting the supply to Richards at source and b) Northampton didn't look like they even had a plan A, let alone a plan B. Their one chance came near the end of the first half when we were doing our level best to gift them the ball. The guy should have done a lot better than put a free shot from 8 yards over the South stand.

Having said that, there were glimpses - as there always are - of what happens when we do click. O'Toole's shot would have been a fairytale had it gone in, Timlin's free kick which caused havoc (I've seen it on the box and on another day we would have a penalty as O'Toole was shoved out of the way quite blatantly), the great ball across the box from Worrall and Corr's effort that just went over. No-one would have been surprised if we had been 2-0 up at the break. I know we all say the opposition is rubbish but you have to give credit to us for making them either look or play rubbish. This is something not many people actually get on here - it's not always what you do, it's also about what you stop the others doing. So much goes on that is unnoticed and is all part of winning a game at this, or indeed any level above amateur Sunday league stuff where there are practically no tactics and it's all about who does what when they have the ball.

In the second half we did step it up a bit and had a good start, with a few half chances, but were dead lucky when their guy had a free header from a corner that he should have scored with. I was waiting for the net to bulge and breathed a sign of relief when it didn't. Other than that, both sides nullified each other until the appalling ball in from Weston to nobody that bounced off the keepers knee to Corr. From my view alongside in the East blacks, he was just about to stroke the ball into the empty net when the keeper brought him down, a definite red card.

That was that and we nearly scored again straight from the kick off. After that we pressed Northampton everywhere and for once got the second goal to give us breathing space.

By and large, the defence had a much better second half and it's another 3 points. It wasn't a game I'll remember for long but, unlike mrsblue, I don't go for the entertainment. I go because at the age of 8, I started supporting my local football team and want to see them do well. Over the last 45 years I have seen them play much better than this and also much worse than this. I SUPPORT my team and have only not gone to matches due to other commitments, never because I can't be bothered. There have been plenty of times when I have felt like not going, but when matchday comes I'm there again because this may be the week where everything gels and we spank some team out of sight to send everyone home super happy. If we don't, well, we are a small club and it's League 2. If you want entertainment, can I suggest staying at home and taking your pick of the matches on the box? That way, if it's no good, you can either switch over or turn off.

Ratings -

Bentley - 7 - Nervy start, never tested, can't remember him making a save.

Thompson - 6 - Better second half but awful in the first - he is a long, long way from being a right back.
White - 8 - Candidate for MOM, great shot in second half and terrific work rate. Doing a very decent job at left back.
Bolger - 6 - Got better but awful start and panics when confronted by a striker. It always worries me when Bentley rolls him the ball. He is great in the air though.
Prosser - 7 - Again, not a great first half but didn't make any howlers.

Worrall - 7 - Not as attacking as normal but I put that down to his work rate in stopping Northampton in supplying the strikers. It seemed as though that was the order in the first half. Good finish too.
O'Toole - 6 - I don't think I've seen a more anonymous debut. For a big lump I was surprised at how easily he seemed to be knocked off the ball and how little he actually won in the air. Got his foot in a few times to break things up but also got caught in possession too. Nearly started off with a wonder goal and the guy does have ability... will the crowd allow him to show this or will we get on his back if we have another 2 or 3 average performances? I think I know the answer to that one but I hope I'm wrong.
Timlin - 8.5 - MOM - Was everywhere and barely put a foot wrong. Good to see him back to his best.
Weston - 6 - Great work rate but kept falling over the ball in the first half and the cross for the second was about the only good ball he put in all afternoon.

Payne - 6 - He was completely smothered by their big guys and lacks that explosive pace. he worked really hard though but I'd liked to have seen him play a little further forward alongside Corr.
Corr - 8 - This bloke runs through walls for us. No-one can ever question his desire or commitment. He won some terrific headers as well against a big lumpy defence and if Payne had been a little higher up the pitch then he may have had some better fortune.

Subs -

Atkinson - 6 - Did ok when he came on
Deegan - 6 - Ditto

The ref - 5 - Played advantage well on a few occasions but seemed very fussy and loved blowing his whistle 5 times in quick succession. I think he must also be one of the shortest refs I've ever seen (not that that's his fault, obviously)!

Finally, a word for Phil Brown. The guy has listened. He is trying to put bums on seats by playing an attacking line up and style. Let's him him just a little bit of credit, eh? We have a tough December and the team will need all the support they can get. Hopefully we won't have another disastrous month like October.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Blimey, I think everyone has been watching about 6 different matches!

Before the ratings, my two cents on yesterdays game - which was similar to the few people around me as well as we were discussing it.

The first half was marginally better than the one last time out which was so awful I've wiped it from the memory and can't remember who the opponents were. Northampton were a big, physical side who I felt tried to bully us all over the pitch. Our defence was shocking, no-one looked comfortable, Bolger visibly panics when a forward closes him down, Thompson had a dreadful first 15 minutes and there was little to no communication between the centre backs. The fact that we didn't concede was because of the fact that a) the fantastic work rate by Weston, Timlin, Payne and Worrall in cutting the supply to Richards at source and b) Northampton didn't look like they even had a plan A, let alone a plan B. Their one chance came near the end of the first half when we were doing our level best to gift them the ball. The guy should have done a lot better than put a free shot from 8 yards over the South stand.

Having said that, there were glimpses - as there always are - of what happens when we do click. O'Toole's shot would have been a fairytale had it gone in, Timlin's free kick which caused havoc (I've seen it on the box and on another day we would have a penalty as O'Toole was shoved out of the way quite blatantly), the great ball across the box from Worrall and Corr's effort that just went over. No-one would have been surprised if we had been 2-0 up at the break. I know we all say the opposition is rubbish but you have to give credit to us for making them either look or play rubbish. This is something not many people actually get on here - it's not always what you do, it's also about what you stop the others doing. So much goes on that is unnoticed and is all part of winning a game at this, or indeed any level above amateur Sunday league stuff where there are practically no tactics and it's all about who does what when they have the ball.

In the second half we did step it up a bit and had a good start, with a few half chances, but were dead lucky when their guy had a free header from a corner that he should have scored with. I was waiting for the net to bulge and breathed a sign of relief when it didn't. Other than that, both sides nullified each other until the appalling ball in from Weston to nobody that bounced off the keepers knee to Corr. From my view alongside in the East blacks, he was just about to stroke the ball into the empty net when the keeper brought him down, a definite red card.

That was that and we nearly scored again straight from the kick off. After that we pressed Northampton everywhere and for once got the second goal to give us breathing space.

By and large, the defence had a much better second half and it's another 3 points. It wasn't a game I'll remember for long but, unlike mrsblue, I don't go for the entertainment. I go because at the age of 8, I started supporting my local football team and want to see them do well. Over the last 45 years I have seen them play much better than this and also much worse than this. I SUPPORT my team and have only not gone to matches due to other commitments, never because I can't be bothered. There have been plenty of times when I have felt like not going, but when matchday comes I'm there again because this may be the week where everything gels and we spank some team out of sight to send everyone home super happy. If we don't, well, we are a small club and it's League 2. If you want entertainment, can I suggest staying at home and taking your pick of the matches on the box? That way, if it's no good, you can either switch over or turn off.

Ratings -

Bentley - 7 - Nervy start, never tested, can't remember him making a save.

Thompson - 6 - Better second half but awful in the first - he is a long, long way from being a right back.
White - 8 - Candidate for MOM, great shot in second half and terrific work rate. Doing a very decent job at left back.
Bolger - 6 - Got better but awful start and panics when confronted by a striker. It always worries me when Bentley rolls him the ball. He is great in the air though.
Prosser - 7 - Again, not a great first half but didn't make any howlers.

Worrall - 7 - Not as attacking as normal but I put that down to his work rate in stopping Northampton in supplying the strikers. It seemed as though that was the order in the first half. Good finish too.
O'Toole - 6 - I don't think I've seen a more anonymous debut. For a big lump I was surprised at how easily he seemed to be knocked off the ball and how little he actually won in the air. Got his foot in a few times to break things up but also got caught in possession too. Nearly started off with a wonder goal and the guy does have ability... will the crowd allow him to show this or will we get on his back if we have another 2 or 3 average performances? I think I know the answer to that one but I hope I'm wrong.
Timlin - 8.5 - MOM - Was everywhere and barely put a foot wrong. Good to see him back to his best.
Weston - 6 - Great work rate but kept falling over the ball in the first half and the cross for the second was about the only good ball he put in all afternoon.

Payne - 6 - He was completely smothered by their big guys and lacks that explosive pace. he worked really hard though but I'd liked to have seen him play a little further forward alongside Corr.
Corr - 8 - This bloke runs through walls for us. No-one can ever question his desire or commitment. He won some terrific headers as well against a big lumpy defence and if Payne had been a little higher up the pitch then he may have had some better fortune.

Subs -

Atkinson - 6 - Did ok when he came on
Deegan - 6 - Ditto

The ref - 5 - Played advantage well on a few occasions but seemed very fussy and loved blowing his whistle 5 times in quick succession. I think he must also be one of the shortest refs I've ever seen (not that that's his fault, obviously)!

Finally, a word for Phil Brown. The guy has listened. He is trying to put bums on seats by playing an attacking line up and style. Let's him him just a little bit of credit, eh? We have a tough December and the team will need all the support they can get. Hopefully we won't have another disastrous month like October.

Great great post and have to agree with every bit of it