Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 2-0 Scunthorpe

[Beefy]

Agree, but he is the best target man we have!

A targetman holds the ball up and brings others into play. That isn't what Robinson did tonight. Now Revell is injured we're simply not playing with a targetman. Instead we're trying to play balls down the sides and behind defenders for Robinson to run onto.

 

[sufcalways]

I've seen a play-off thread emerge. Jeezus Christ. I give up.

Do you think we can catch Leicester? ;)

 

[chapperzUK]

A targetman holds the ball up and brings others into play. That isn't what Robinson did tonight. Now Revell is injured we're simply not playing with a targetman. Instead we're trying to play balls down the sides and behind defenders for Robinson to run onto.

Not tonight because Scunny had a high defensive line, so he would be more effective as a fast striker, which proved tonight.

 

[sufcalways]

Not tonight because Scunny had a high defensive line, so he would be more effective as a fast striker, which proved tonight.

So that proves he isnt a target man? :unsure:

 

[Andy_S]

On the subject of Theo by the way, Dean Austin was there to watch him tonight. He'd left by the time he got the standing ovation when he came off though.

Steve Claridge was also in attendance. Perhaps a signing to cover the striking crisis? :D

 

[Perth Bambi]

Well imo, its either play Barrett left back, or drop him.. and a club should not their captain. No chance of replacing Dervite and Clarke.


I dont understand whats spoilt the good work? Surely if he is doing something good, he is doing the right job?

Well it is all very well defending great when they are attacking but if we then go on the attack and he gets stranded up field then it was a bit of a waste of time attacking in the first place because it leaves us empty down that side. On many occasions tonight he ended up chasing down their right winger with the ball and he simply isn't quick enough to do that.

 

[sufcalways]

On the subject of Theo by the way, Dean Austin was there to watch him tonight. He'd left by the time he got the standing ovation when he came off though.

Steve Claridge was also in attendance. Perhaps a signing to cover the striking crisis? :D

Dean austin can **** off we want robinson!!! :D

 

[sufcalways]

Well it is all very well defending great when they are attacking but if we then go on the attack and he gets stranded up field then it was a bit of a waste of time attacking in the first place because it leaves us empty down that side. On many occasions tonight he ended up chasing down their right winger with the ball and he simply isn't quick enough to do that.

I never really noticed him attack in the first half (view from west) but I think having christophe in the side helps out as he is fairly defensive which if a centre back goes across to help Barrett when he is out of position, JFC can then drop in the centre back position.. Not sure if this happes though?

 

[Perth Bambi]

I never really noticed him attack in the first half (view from west) but I think having christophe in the side helps out as he is fairly defensive which if a centre back goes across to help Barrett when he is out of position, JFC can then drop in the centre back position.. Not sure if this happes though?

In fairness I only noticed it in the second half in the East. I think a lot of opinions depend on where you sit as I usually sit in the South Upper. Not impressed with the atmosphere tonight. Didn't really sing until we scored.

 

[sufcalways]

Not impressed with the atmosphere tonight. Didn't really sing until we scored.

Be greatful your not a col u fan :p

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Mildy oh, go on then 8, two good stops and looks more confident
Sankofa 5 doesn't look at all comfortable on the ball and is mostly negative
Dorian 8 class act, has improved the defence untold
Clarkey 7 decent enough defender but distribution terrible
Barrett 8 continued from where he left of Sat
Macca 7 more like his old self and a goal to boot
Moose 6 good on the ball as always just wish he was more forward thinking
Grant 8 not technically brilliant but they know he's around them
Theo 9 top work rate, good speed and can find the net
Barney 6 nice lay off for the goal but is huffing and puffing to no great effect at the mo
Christophe 6 gets a foot in, control a bit wayward

Forget Mildenhall's stops and concentrate on his positioning, the way he came for crosses and his positive distribution. He does the little things well and it makes a huge difference.

Defensively Dervitte has made a huge difference (if only we'd signed a centre-half of his ilk instead of Clarke) and has got the Black Che Wilson and Beckenbaur playing a lot better.

We currently have very little in midfield and not much other than pace up front, but we are winning games because of our defence. This is in complete contrast to last season when we were winning games solely because of our midfield.

The difference tonight was that our keeper and our forward were both sharper than Scunthorpe's. 2-0 to Steve Tilson me thinks.

 

[Desert Shrimper]

5 probably is a bit harsh, call it 6, just looks a bit dodgy on the ball to me and not so creative as Francis!

Correct me if I'm wrong but since he arrived Simon Francis has consistently been part of our worst efforts defensively. In his first season in the championship when he was a consistent presence we leaked over 80 goals and since then he has hardly covered himself in glory. Personally, I'd be glad to see the back of him, we just don't seem to work with him at the back.....

 

[steveo]

5 probably is a bit harsh, call it 6, just looks a bit dodgy on the ball to me and not so creative as Francis!

Blimey, the Wigster is there for turning.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Fair play to Wiggy for coming a little late to the "Mildenhall isn't so bad" table!

Mildy - 8, good game, couple of occasions where I felt he could have been a little stronger but really nothing major
Sankofa - 7, also a good game, the lad is growing in confidence and combined well with Granty I thought
Dervite - 7, a couple of little fluffs but solid and handled Hayes and Hooper well on the whole
Clarke - 8, pick of the defence again for me, said elsewhere he'd have Hooper in his pocket and he did most of the time
Barrett - 7, another typical Barrett game,
Grant - 8, excellent game, was creative and used his skills - hope the injury's not too bad. He's desperate for some recognition from the crowd though, saw him saying "what about me" when Theo was getting all the plaudits
Macca - 8, another who had an excellent game and thank God he scored, hopefully he can settle down now and be the midfielder we know he can
Jeff - 7, another who got no change from the ref, did well
Moussa - 7, some good movement and covered Barrett well
Laurent - 6, what a shame, looked as if he was really going to cause them problems, again, hope it's not serious
Robinson - 9, MOTM for me, obviously the intention to play as we did, and he thrived on it.

Subs: Barney for Laurent - 7, I thought Barney did well enough, some intelligent play, no change at all out of the officials, joke of a booking
Franno for Grant - 6, not on for that long, but a couple of errors - please can the crowd get off his back though, it's not helping.

Officials - a begrudging 5, did ok, got some things completely wrong but not too bad in comparison to some of the dross we've had

TBV - 7, a little quiet first half but once it got going it was much better, am loving the Latino drum beat!

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Sorry, but Theo Robinson will never be a target man as long as he lives.

Revs is a target man.
Harrold is a target man.
Drewe is a target man.

etc.

A target man is a striker who you can pump balls to all day long and they will either flick on or hold up the ball and bring other into play.

Agree that Robinson isn't a target man as such, but he has such explosive pace that you can play a ball virtually anywhere, be it in the air, on the floor, down the channels or straight to the targer man area and he will run and get it 9 out of 10 times. It's the 1st time I have seen him last night and I was very impressed. My MOM. His constant running and hounding of the Scunny defence paid off. He latched onto Grant's great ball, drew the keeper into going to ground, took it round him and, crucially, kept a calm head to slide the ball into the net, rather than panic and just hit it as hard as he could. The guy is a star in the making!

 

[OldBlueLady]

Just as a little postscript, wanted to say I was impressed with the attitude of Hooper and the majority of the Scunthorpe players. It was a good, clean game. Hooper behaved very respectfully I thought.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Do you think we can catch Leicester? ;)

If it wasn't for the fact that we are yet to play them at home I'd have to say no.;)

 

[Perth Bambi]

Surely a target man is just someone you target with the long balls whether it be to his head, his feet or for him to run on to? As whichever one of those you pick you are targeting him. I understand what people are saying, he is not the typical big man.

 

[SARF]

Grant had a spell at the start of the second half which was far and away the best I have seen him play.. Im not surprised he wants a bit of love from the stands..

 

[watchtheballboys]

Scunthorpe

Cliche time : a game of two halves!!

I thought we were very quiet in the fist half which I put down to the efforts over the weekend at Col U. The crowd was equally quiet whch is probably down to the uninspiring action on the pitch!

The second half picked up for both sides and Hooper probably managed more shots in this game than his entire career for us but I thought he was well marshalled by the back four with Clarkie seemingly waiting for the opportunity to send Hoops into orbit with his mighty follow throughs.

Considering Scunthorpe have a game in hand and are tipped to make the play-offs it makes things even more frustrating that we are not up there with them. Our defence over the last few games has been the reason we have picked up the points for relative safety and this I believe is down to Dervitte and the renewed confidence within both Clarkies and Barretts play. Sankofa has steadily improved but he has a number of areas of his game where he should do better and I think he has to be at the top of his game to be a reasonable player. If he dips below this he looks poor especially going forward.

Clarkie is what he is a no nonsense defender and I think we have no other option other than to accept his limited ball distribution capabilities. Hoof and hope but ocassionally they come off!

The midfield looked ok with Grant getting stuck in and Macca scoring a great goal although his passing was a little wayward last night. Christophe did reasonably well but I still think he has dropped below the standard he set when originally on loan.

The Moose put in some good corners but I would love to know exactly where Tilly told him to play for the team. If the plan was for him to be out wide on the left and give a little width he rarely did it and a number of balls were played out to where he should have been but he had already wandered back into the middle!
I know he is not a natural winger and what we have in that position in terms of Betsy, not good enough in my opinion, and Scannell who does not now seem to be rated by Tilly enough to be given a run in the side, means he is probably the best option at the moment but he should be doing what he is presumably told.

Upfront Laurent did not seem to me from the start to be 100% fit and although it was sad to seem him go off as he is an excellent target man and gives us something different in attack, I did expect it. Theo was excellent and ran his heart out capping it off with a very well taken goal using all his speed and skill to beat the advancing keeper.

When Barney came on I did fear the worst but he did put himself about a bit but I think the injuries this season have taken the edge off his game and he is probably the fourth striker behind Theo, Laurent and Freedman. Hopefully next season he can rekindle the early season form. One criticism is that he does seem to play for the foul on him in many of the challenges he goes in for and a good ref will spot this quickly and probably not be so keen to give him the benefit of the doubt when he probably deserves the decision.

Originally thought that Robinson deserved the MOM but on reflection Mildy made some really good saves and it is nice to go through a game where we only think of the positive things he has done. That is the mark of a good keeper and I think he has managed to get over the early season blips.(hopefully not famous last words!)

Francis did ok when he came on and Scannell was really only on as a token gesture to enable Theo to get the stnding ovation he deserved.

A good night, a great result on the back of the Col U game which I hope will bring the crowds back as the just over 6000 attendance was pretty poor.

One last thing : I notice from Col U's prog that they still consider themselves to be play-off contenders, bearing in mind we are only a couple of points behind them it just makes me wonder what could have and still might be for us.......

Yours ever optimistically...............