Post-Match Thread and Ratings Southend United 2-3 Morecambe

[aclloyd]

we were not very good...defence rubbish...lay off sturrock junior i dont feel he is a goal scorer more like the famous benji....

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Well, back to the game... for what it is worth.

I'm not that downhearted, just a bit disappointed we didnt do better. We have a team that barely know each other, and were only really assembled 2 weeks before the season started, so on that basis we are still experimenting with what works and what doesnt! For this team we are not yet where we should have been at the end of pre-season.

The big negative was the decision to just book their no 9 after the nasty 2 footed kick on Moshni, which the ref didnt see as Moshni was blocking his view of what happened, but the lino and 4th official must have seen. It was a straight red, no doubt about it, and he was lucky to stay on the pitch. For me, that was a defining moment in the match, and after that the ref was struggling to keep control.

The other difficulty today was the lack of organisation and focus in the defence, which cost us 2 very soft goals, thought the other one was well worked and deserved. Thought we missed Easton, which surprised me a bit as he had been quite anonymous in the previous games I have seen, but I am starting to think that Easton is in the same category that was there with Maher, you didnt notice him till he wasnt on the pitch!!

To their credit, Morcombe were awful, but not as bad as others in this league. They do know how to play in this league, they were all big and strong, and what they lacked in skill they made up for in exploiting our fairly obvious weaknesses, ie our woeful defending, inability to get the ball back when we gave it away and us not playing the ball on the floor, all of which suited them completely and proved to be our undoing.

Morris 5 - some reasonable saves, but not the best performance I have seen. Could be much worse!
Clohessy 6 - pretty good performance considering - didnt do anything terribly wrong
Mohsni 4.5 - Poor defending for all 3 goals, went wandering too often and kept going for the same ball as the rest of the defence. Has potential, but at what cost?
Barker 6.5 - Somehow the defence isnt working together, but Barker was doing his best to try and pull it into some sort of shape.
Gilbert 5 - Struggled a bit, looked a bit off the pace of their winger
Simpson 5 - not a good performance today, expected better.
Grant 7 - started brightly, good goal (again) but seems to be running out of steam in the second half still. Nonetheless, best performance in the team. MOM
Timlin 5 - looks a useful player, but not in that holding role. Easton is far better at this, and needs to get back in the side asap.
Hall 6 - some lovely touches, but struggled against a big physical side
Corr 6 - decent finish, missed a few chances but somehow just not very effective today.
Sturrock 6 - Cant see why he is getting such a hard time. Not a great performance, but not the worst either. I like the way he plays wil intelligence, which is working well with Granty who also plays an intelligent game. Between them they opened up a lot of space that the rest of the team didnt exploit properly. Worst thing is, he isnt a 20 goal a year striker, he's more an an Emile Heskey type of player, which isnt helped by the accident of birth that made him the son of the manager. Get off his case!

Subs - no point, were all ineffective. Have to say that Herd looked as out of his depth today as he did last season, a good reason why he is currently bench-sitting! Despite the rest of the defence being poor, I dont think it wouold be helped by Herd in the back 4 at the moment.

Not overly disappointed with the result, would have preferred a draw at least, but it isnt a disaster if we can learn from it and do better next time. It is early days still, would be more worried if we are still in this postion in January!

This was the game I watched.

x2 for the Pringello index please, but I'll rate each of the subs a 5.


Defensively we, or rather Moshni, was shocking. He has to learn some discipline as he's just getting dragged all over the place and is chasing the ball like a schoolboy. He needs to learn to hold his position and curb his enthusiasm because he's got all the ability in the world but he's got to play as part of a team and he's playing on his own out there and its turning our defence into a shambles.

Going forward we continue to look as if we've goals in us, largely thanks to the intelligent play of Blair. I really enjoy watching him play as his movement is exceptional the way he drags defenders out of position to create space for his team-mates. We really need to get him and Josh Simpson-Daniel more involved, because Sturrock dragging the defence outwide to create room for Simpson-Daniel running in on a good angle is a delight to watch, even if it didn't quite come off yesterday. Those two think at a far higher level than division 4.

Was a bit disappointed with Maher in midfield, too many aimless chips forward and not enough energy. As a team we didn't play with enough pace for my liking. It doesn't have to be relentless, but we needed to inject it into the game more frequently. Occasionally Granty would when he'd run at someone, or Simpson-Daniel, but he was largely anonymous and our build up play was consequently more often than not laborious.

 

[ibwiajwa]

There is a lot of hysteria on here that I don't think is warranted by the game or the situation in which we find ourselves. Personally, I enjoyed the game up until the last 15 minutes and thought we saw some decent football for this level and much better than the tepid stuff we got at the tail end of last season. Considering that we got 17 new players in at the start of the season, I think we are doing pretty well. We need to be patient.

Morcambe were not 'woeful'. They were a tidy looking side who put on a fine away performance. Shuker and Mullin were excellent and gave us a torrid time throughout. We must get away from this arrogant 'big boys of the league' attitude IMO. Sammy McIlroy did a great job getting them into the playoffs last season and they looked the part today.

As others have said - we scored two goals. OK - the second would have been chalked off as a foul on the keeper by many refs but Grant's goal was a peach and I don't care if it didn't come from a striker. Their first goal came from a very long throw-in, which may have been in Sturrock's mind when he brought on Herd. (Incidentally - OBL, I take your point about the ineffectiveness of that strategy for us at the end of last season but Mohsni and Corr might have made something of one of them). The frustrating thing here was that Mohsni was marking the defender at the near post who was completely bypassed. Did we know that they had that attacking option as we didn't seem prepared for it? Timlin was the nearest to it but the ball was allowed to bounce - a cardinal error.

I felt that Morris was partly responsible for their second. We were in line with it in the West Stand. He dithered and neither came out nor stayed on his line. His distribution wasn't good either - most of his goal kicks were too long. However, it is the first weak game I have seen him play.

We tired badly in the last 15 and it was frustrating to see Grant stop chasing and Corr seemingly no longer able to win anything in the air.

For the most part though, we looked like a decent side and I thought, as against Hartlepool last year, that we'd turn them over even when we went 2-1 down. The last goal was the killer - we just left ourselves too exposed at the back.

Nil desperandum. I think we'll be OK and will have a good shout at a playoff place if we can eliminate the errors.

 

[Jam_Man]

There is a lot of hysteria on here that I don't think is warranted by the game or the situation in which we find ourselves. Personally, I enjoyed the game up until the last 15 minutes and thought we saw some decent football for this level and much better than the tepid stuff we got at the tail end of last season. Considering that we got 17 new players in at the start of the season, I think we are doing pretty well. We need to be patient.

Morcambe were not 'woeful'. They were a tidy looking side who put on a fine away performance. Shuker and Mullin were excellent and gave us a torrid time throughout. We must get away from this arrogant 'big boys of the league' attitude IMO. Sammy McIlroy did a great job getting them into the playoffs last season and they looked the part today.

As others have said - we scored two goals. OK - the second would have been chalked off as a foul on the keeper by many refs but Grant's goal was a peach and I don't care if it didn't come from a striker. Their first goal came from a very long throw-in, which may have been in Sturrock's mind when he brought on Herd. (Incidentally - OBL, I take your point about the ineffectiveness of that strategy for us at the end of last season but Mohsni and Corr might have made something of one of them). The frustrating thing here was that Mohsni was marking the defender at the near post who was completely bypassed. Did we know that they had that attacking option as we didn't seem prepared for it? Timlin was the nearest to it but the ball was allowed to bounce - a cardinal error.

I felt that Morris was partly responsible for their second. We were in line with it in the West Stand. He dithered and neither came out nor stayed on his line. His distribution wasn't good either - most of his goal kicks were too long. However, it is the first weak game I have seen him play.

We tired badly in the last 15 and it was frustrating to see Grant stop chasing and Corr seemingly no longer able to win anything in the air.

For the most part though, we looked like a decent side and I thought, as against Hartlepool last year, that we'd turn them over even when we went 2-1 down. The last goal was the killer - we just left ourselves too exposed at the back.

Nil desperandum. I think we'll be OK and will have a good shout at a playoff place if we can eliminate the errors.

Watching the goal on sky sports only confirmed what I thought at the time, there was no contact with the keeper before Corr got to the ball and the keeper didnt have the ball in his hands.

Dont see why that goal would be disallowed by anyone.

 

[madaboutblues]

Was a bit disappointed with Maher in midfield,
or Simpson-Daniel,

:unsure: Huh

 

[twobob]

Everything that was good about the first 70 mins against Torquay, the teamwork, movement and passing, all disappeared yesterday. PS should get our wide-men to wach a video of their right side forward as he was constantly looking to attack Gilbert and put some excellent balls into box. Very disappointing performance from us..

Morris 6
Clohessy 7
Gilbert 5 - their winger gave him a torrid time, probably could have done with more help from Hall
Moshni 6
Barker 6
Hall 6
Simpson 5
Grant 7
Timlin 6
Corr 6
Sturrock 5

Subs
Herd 5
Spencer 6
Soares 5

 

[OldBlueLady]

Last time I checked, women were allowed to vote, and allowed to drink pints.

And I've just re-read the thread and seen this comment, incredibly patronising and you should be ashamed of yourself. I drink pints at football (mainly cos the wine is godamn awful) but the bars should, as Roxy says, cater to all its STHs and other supporters. It should have been an across the board reduction in prices for one day, discrimination of some kind I should think, what about the extortionate price for soft drinks at the bar as well for the non-drinkers? I assume they weren't included either.

 

[BluesonTour]

I wonder how many on here would realise Mohsni switches off in the game if it wasnt such commonly reported from Sturrock. Hes bound too.. he's come from some low level foreign side and will need time to develop. However playing at the back enhances any mistake as it usually leads to an opposition chance. I think Moshni would have been better off against Mullins all day but Barker seemed to pick him up most of the time.

I watched Shuker, in the build up to their second goal, remain unmarked in the box while they delivered a set piece and heard no organisation from anyone to pick up. That is basic defensive awareness and why we look shocking some times at the back. Id expect Morris to see that and take command.
Maybe he is another one that switches off...as well as Gilbert, Barker and Prosser when they have played and is why they are currently League 2 players.
Herd coming on gave us a different attacking option as he attacks more than Gilbert and has the long throw. Its a shame no one wants to get on the end of the first knock on.
Im sorry but Sturrock offers nothing. He is not a striker as he rarely looks to shoot at any opportunity nor does he bring other players into the game offensively. Anyone that can control a ball can be deemed to hold up the play, and that is all he can be labelled with occassionally.

Inconsistency most weeks will mean debate about who should play. However, other than Grant, I cant see that we will get the same game every week from anyone else and is why we will have one decent result followed by two or three poor ones.

 

[Shrimper]

Awful game in which we were deservedly beaten for a poor performance. The only bright things I can see is that we seem to finally be putting some decent crosses in the box for our strikers. Our defence needs to improve mostly though.

Morris 6
Clohessy 6
Gilbert 5
Moshni 5
Barker 7
Hall 6
Simpson 5
Grant 7
Timlin 6
Corr 6
Sturrock 5

Subs
Herd 6
Spencer 5
Soares 5

 

[OldBlueLady]

I watched Shuker, in the build up to their second goal, remain unmarked in the box while they delivered a set piece and heard no organisation from anyone to pick up. That is basic defensive awareness and why we look shocking some times at the back. Id expect Morris to see that and take command.
Maybe he is another one that switches off...as well as Gilbert, Barker and Prosser when they have played and is why they are currently League 2 players.

Which is why I do believe that Evans should be given the chance. When I see him preseason, when he was clearly thought to be the first choice keeper, Evans was very vocal and yet you rarely see Morris say anything. A keeper has to be loud and bossy....maybe I missed my vocation!

 

[Medway Blue]

Not good, but I'm not too bothered by that!
I still think we will be in the playoffs this season. I can't be bothered to change my view. After losing two games in a row doesn't change my mind on what I think will happen.
Missed Easton big time. And didn't look as solid in Midfield when playing 4 - 4 - 2 so PS can't win.
Morecambe are an established side who where in the playoffs last season.

Basically it has to be changed now.

SPENCER HAS TO START UPFRONT WITH CORR!

What have Spencer and Patterson done so wrong? **** sake!

Cant be bothered to rate in detail. But basically all 6's apart from Grant again who I give 7!!

Being punished because they were Tilson's players.

 

[Lester Bangs]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned but might it be possible to incorporate a midfield into our game play instead of going straight from defence to attack?

Just a thought.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Being punished because they were Tilson's players.

I'm sorry, but that's absolute ****ing garbage.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

total cobbs wallop mate, if you are from canvey i would like to meet you on thursday at the questions and answers evening matew or aint you got the balls ?

Think you'll find it's Tuesday.:smiles:
BTW, CS knows what he's talking about.Listen and learn(or ain't you got the brain)?

 

[jamesmut2000]

Think you'll find it's Tuesday.:smiles:
BTW, CS knows what he's talking about.Listen and learn(or ain't you got the brain)?

No I think you'll find it's Thursday.

 

[jamesmut2000]

Being punished because they were Tilson's players.

So was Grant - maybe,just maybe, it's because they haven't shown enough on the training ground to be selected.

 

[DTS]

So was Grant - maybe,just maybe, it's because they haven't shown enough on the training ground to be selected.

totally agree. Spencer started the season as first choice striker I am sure and did very litte. Patterson has done little more to impress and both are probably rightly not starting . That said I dont think Corr or Sturrock have exaclty done a great job.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

No I think you'll find it's Thursday.

Right you are.I picked up a ticket for a mate and since I knew I wouldn't be able to go I didn't check the date too carefully.:embarrassed:

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

I think yesterday justified my decision not to renew my season ticket. A woeful standard of football, but Morecambe were well worth the win and I fail to see many positives form yesterday. agree broadly with OBL's assessment of the game. Defensively the performance was littered with errors, mainly from Moshni who clearly has talent but I would bring Philiips back next game, assuming he is not fit. Gilbert didnt impress at all, for their second goal he just invited the winger to cross which he duly did, looked slow and never got forward to support Hall. Clohessy and Barker, as they have been all season, very solid and Sean has a great cross on him. Timlin looked overweight to me, didnt do a lot wrong but not a lot right either. Grant head and shoulders above anyone, Simpson barely touched it. Hall worked very hard and looks a good prospect.
Ok the strikers, Blair and Corr cannot play together, sorry but Sturrock Jnr will never score more than 5 goals in a season, his effort in the first half when he was baring down on goal, and ended up stalling and passing it backwards, sums him up. He slows the play down, never looks like hitting the target.
Corr wasnt much good, their centre back had him in his pocket but if we actually gave him some good crosses into the box I think he would do well.
I'm not asking for a 20 goal striker just someone with some pace, to stretch the defenders and give us another option.I was sat in row C yesterday in the West and almost got a crick in my neck from the amount of time the ball was in the air. Very poor stuff, and easily kept out by the Morecambe defence.
Tactically I thought we looked ok to start off with. When it got to 2-2 and I saw Spencer and Pato warming up I thought 'good hes going to throw the kitchen sink at Morecambe' but no, inexplicably, Herd comes on and Soares who has been absolute guff so far. One of the most puzzling double substitutions from a southend manager I can recall.

Luggy should study the way Morecambe played. The big bald lump held up it well and brought other players into it, the midfield were running into the box, and when they got it out to the wide men, they put crosses in first time and good crosses as well. Our play was very much the opposite.
Its easy to see why so many of these players were released by their previous clubs. They dont have any consistency, so an up and down season awaits.

For me next game i would go back to 4-4-2, drop the rat tail and play Corr up top with Spencer. Would bring Phillips or Coughlan in alongside Barker.

 

[Southminster_Shrimper]

And I've just re-read the thread and seen this comment, incredibly patronising and you should be ashamed of yourself. I drink pints at football (mainly cos the wine is godamn awful) but the bars should, as Roxy says, cater to all its STHs and other supporters. It should have been an across the board reduction in prices for one day, discrimination of some kind I should think, what about the extortionate price for soft drinks at the bar as well for the non-drinkers? I assume they weren't included either.

I dont drink at the ground because I drive there.....as a holder of 3 seaso's should I have received a cash payment for what I might have drunk should I not have been driving?

And for the scores on the doors....

Grant....7 (6 for 2nd half)
Rest....2
Soares....-10 cos he is the biggest waste of space since Ricketts